Royal Spotlight: Teresa McDonald, Ms. U.S. United 2018

The Royal Spotlight is an interview series where I highlight queens from a variety of pageant systems. This month I have the pleasure of featuring Teresa McDonald, Ms. U.S. United 2018.

Tell us about yourself.

Hi! My name is Teresa McDonald. I am the reigning 2018 Ms. U.S. United. I am from the Athens, Georgia, area, where I reside with my husband, Wesley. Together, we have six children, including a set of twins, and four grandchildren. I am a 46 year-old Registered Nurse and US Air Force Veteran. I have a degree in Surgical Technology, a Bachelors in Nursing, and I am currently working on my Masters in Nursing as a Family Nurse Practitioner. I am an operating room registered nurse employed with Northside Forsyth Hospital.

When did you start competing in pageants?

I first competed in pageants during my high school years. I competed during my Junior and Senior years of high school. I did not compete again until I was 31.

Why do you compete in pageants?

Initially, I did pageants during my high school years to gain scholarship money and make new friends. I had a great time competing and got to travel out of state for competitions. Plus, it was awesome spending time with my mom, sister, and brother at pageant events, and I even had my grandfather involved, as he escorted me for evening gown competition.

When I competed in my 30’s, I did it because I was in great shape physically, and I wanted to reconnect with the sisterhood of pageantry. Prior to my competing in the U.S. United Georgia State Pageant in 2018, I had not competed since 2005. I did this pageant because I was feeling lost and emotional after the passing of my father, and I wanted to be able to educate and inform a broader spectrum of community regarding sepsis, and the U.S. United System offered me the ability to do that by allowing my me promote my own personal pageant platform of Sepsis Awareness.

How many titles have you won?

Ms. U.S. United 2018; Ms. Georgia U.S. United 2018; Top 13 State finalist in the Mrs. Georgia USA Pageant; Jr. Miss South Carolina

Tell us about the U.S. United Pageant system.

The U.S. United System is unlike any pageant system I have experienced. I chose this system because it has a wonderful national platform which all Queens represent throughout their reign-breast cancer. US United is a system which promotes and educates on the risks, treatments, and supportive measures associated with breast cancer. Queens and directors participate in breast cancer related fundraisers and activities and donate to breast cancer events and charities. We offer special events for breast cancer patients, survivors, and family members, and we have special guest speakers who offer insight and testimony on breast cancer.

We also have an awesome sisterhood of Queens who support, encourage, and uplift one another. We come from a variety of backgrounds, and we are a diverse group of intelligent women and young leaders who are all about putting community at the forefront of all we do.

What have you learned about yourself through your pageant experience?

I have learned that I am stronger than I ever give myself credit. I have always considered myself a natural leader; however, pageantry has taught me that people of all ages, young and old alike, look to me for leadership as well as inspiration. I’ve also learned that I have a comical side, and people love listening to my southern accent! I have learned that a registered nurse can reach and educate many people, but a registered nurse with a beautiful crown gives me an audience I never knew existed. Honestly, I have learned to exemplify my confidence and knowledge and to be prepared to educate and share whenever and wherever the need arises.

What are your future plans for your pageant career?

I am positive I will continue to compete as I love the sisterhood pageantry affords me. Through pageantry, I have made some wonderful and eccentric friendships worldwide. At the moment, I am preparing for the U.S. United 2019 National pageant, which will be held in Atlanta in July. I will be crowning my successor at this event. Following that, I will make a decision on my future pageant plans. I definitely know I will continue assisting with the U.S. United System, as I love that this pageant is an educational and supportive voice for breast cancer.

What words of advice do you live by?

“Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.” —– F. Scott Fitzgerald

He is my favorite author, and this is my favorite quote. We all fail daily; sometimes multiple times a day. Our failures do not or should not define who we are or our lives. Instead, we should use each failure as an opportunity to build our character which is our foundation. I believe it is only through defeat that one truly understands the sweet meaning of success.