Mary Jane Hobgood Miss Louisiana’s Outstanding Teen 2007

Mary Jane Hobgood
Miss Louisiana’s Outstanding Teen 2007

Hometown: Shreveport, Louisiana

Education: Loyola College Preparatory High School; St. Frederick Junior High School; River Oaks Pre-K and Elementary School

Scholastic/Career Ambition: To attend a university with a strong dance program and later open a dance studio.

Talent: Ballet en Pointe to Aaron Copeland’s “Rodeo”

Scholastic Honors: Studying in an honors college preparatory curriculum and actively participating as a member of National Junior Honor Society, Junior Beta Club, National Junior Classical League (Latin Club), and Ambassador’s Club of Loyola.

Leadership Roles: Writing a book and speaking to teens and children at Shriner’s Hospital about positive living through example; performing with the Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet as principal dancer and Senior Company member; performing with the Shreveport Jazz Ensemble as Senior Company member; participating in FAITH Club (Flyers Aiding the Hungry); teaching ballet, tap, and jazz to all ages.

Accomplishments: Preliminary Talent Winner and Third Runner-up, Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2008; Elected to Loyola Homecoming Court as a new student to the area; Danced in “Deliberate” the Centenary Film Festival winner of 2005; studied in summer programs with the American Ballet Theatre, Joffrey Ballet, Twin City Ballet, Dallas Metropolitan Ballet, and Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet; invited to join Dallas Metropolitan Ballet as an “A” Company Dancer; selected as a finalist for Julliard Summer Intensive in New York City; passed the Royal Academy of Dance Advanced exam with distinction; received scholarship to Tremaine Dance Convention; won gold medals at New York City Dance Alliance, Jump, and West Coast Dance Explosion competitions; named the youngest person to be principal dancer with Shreveport Metropolitan Ballet.

Interesting Facts: Confirmed into St. Joseph’s Catholic Church; Took ice skating lessons at Rockefeller Center; called back from Elite Modeling open call in New York City; Enjoy hunting, fishing, water-skiing and tubing; collect dolls and New York City themed items.

Marketing Plan: I plan to use this title to be an advocate for people all across the United States. The key to success is forming cooperative partnerships with communities, businesses, and industries. I will interact with business and civic leaders to promote my platform and solicit funding for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. The funding would provide needed resources to help with research and the search for a cure for breast cancer. During my reign as Miss America's Outstanding Teen, there will also be many opportunities to speak to classrooms and school assemblies. While speaking to young people, I would explain the opportunities they have to make a difference in children's lives by forming a Dream Academy in their school, and the opportunities they have to make a change in their own life by becoming involved with the Miss America's Outstanding Teen Organization and all the charities that they endorse.

Platform Issue: Breast Cancer Awareness

Of all women born this year, 12.8% will be diagnosed with breast cancer during their lifetime. Breast cancer is also the leading cause of death in women between 15 and 54 years of age. The diagnosis of a loved one with breast cancer, no matter what the stage, is life altering for family and friends. This past year my family and I began the greatest struggle of our lives as my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and endured surgery and began chemotherapy treatment. As a way to cope, and perhaps help others, my mother and I have been writing a book about our thoughts and feelings during our battle with cancer. The book begins with my mother’s feelings and experiences, then it changes to reveal mine. We hope that our book will be published in the near future and we can share it with others who are dealing with the struggles of breast cancer. As Miss Louisiana’s Outstanding Teen, I have the opportunity to encourage teens, and subsequently their families, to become aware of the importance of “early detection” in breast cancer. I would also challenge people of all ages across America to help in fundraising efforts for research into all phases of breast cancer. I will use my families’ personal experiences to counsel, comfort, and encourage others to maintain a positive attitude while fighting this disease for which we one day hope to have a cure.