I am Staci Brandonisio, the current Ms. U.S. for the Woman of Achievement organization.
As Ms. U.S., my mission is to share my platform, “The Kindness Effect,” by teaching young children the importance of choosing kindness and how it can make an impact in the lives of others. Currently, one in three students are bullied at school in the United States. “The Kindness Effect” philosophy creates a worldwide domino effect by teaching children (and adults) that one small act of kindness and compassion can change the course of the world.
Setting positive examples for kindness and compassion in the community is my goal as Ms. U.S. By speaking in classrooms at elementary schools and with the Girl Scouts, I teach the younger generation the importance of kindness and the lasting effect that bullying can have, ultimately encouraging them to create a better future. Kindness is the bright light for the future!
Although I am now a pageant superfan, it wasn’t something I was always interested in. I grew up playing in the dirt of the softball fields and on the volleyball court, and it wasn’t until adulthood that I competed in my first pageant in 2018. I had no idea what I was getting myself into, but it turned into one of the biggest blessings.
It is a common misconception that pageants are only about the beauty — the glitz and glam of it all — but that couldn’t be further from the truth. In the Woman of Achievement system, the areas of competition are personal interview, talent or speech, platform presentation, fitness, and evening gown. According to the WOA, their mission is to acknowledge the beauty in service, self-development, and education among today’s modern woman through leadership events and pageantry to award women for their life’s work. My favorite event as Ms. U.S. was attending the Walk to End Epilepsy in Washington, D.C., with my family. My daughter was diagnosed with epilepsy in 2021, and it was an honor to be able to represent her and the epilepsy community with my title.
Serving as Mrs. Texas and being crowned Ms. U.S. has truly given me a unique opportunity to serve and give back to the community that I will forever be grateful for.
