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FHA loans are subject to county-level limits based on a percentage of a county’s median home price. In certain high-cost areas, the limit in 2017 can be as high as $636,150 — and in Alaska, Guam, Hawaii and the Virgin Islands, limits can be much higher than that.
While it is true that a timeshare contract is a binding legal document, it is often mistakenly thought that such a contract cannot only be cancelled. In fact, most timeshare companies maintain that their contracts are non – cancellable. This misconception is perpetuated by timeshare companies and user groups that are funded, maintained and controlled by the timeshare industry.
The FHA 203k loan program provides home buyers the opportunity to buy and fix up a property, without exhausting their personal savings.
When consumers face a personal financial crisis, they tend to prioritize unsecured personal debts ahead of mortgages, credit cards and car loans, a new study has found.
The study was conducted by TransUnion, which has analyzed customers’ payment hierarchy since 2010. This study was the first time the credit reporting agency incorporated unsecured personal loans into its accounting.
“It is quite surprising to us that, for most struggling consumers, unsecured personal loan payments are prioritized over other prominent credit products such as mortgages and auto loans,” said Ezra Becker, senior vice president and head of research for TransUnion’s financial services business unit. “While personal loans have existed for a long time, recent growth in the number of such loans led us to explore this product’s position along the payment spectrum. The prioritization of personal loan payments above all others is counterintuitive, but our study results are clear. We believe the relatively short duration of these loans—usually less than 30 months—is a key factor in the decision process of consumers.”
Personal loans usually had a much shorter term than secured debt like mortgages and auto loans – on average, less than 30 months, compared to 60 months for auto loans and 230 for mortgages.
“We conjecture that personal-loan borrowers may feel they can get a quick win with these loans even when they are struggling, and there is a clear, near-term end to the obligation – a ‘light at the end of the tunnel,’ in a sense,” Becker said. “In contrast, auto loans and mortgages have much longer terms, and credit cards have no set end date. Finding an opportunity to pay a debt in full can be a powerful motivator for a struggling consumer.”
Personal loans have also historically had a much lower delinquency rate than other kinds of debt, TransUnion found. However, personal loan delinquencies have been trending upward over the last few years while delinquencies on mortgages, auto loans and credit cards have generally trended down.
Year | Personal loan | Auto loan | Mortgage | Credit card |
Q4 2012 | 1.10% | 1.85% | 3.49% | 3.11% |
Q4 2013 | 1.17% | 1.84% | 3.13% | 3.23% |
Q4 2014 | 1.19% | 1.76% | 2.63% | 3.05% |
Q4 2015 | 1.26% | 1.68% | 2.32% | 2.87% |
Q4 2016 | 1.49% | 1.75% | 2.44% | 3.65% |
Source: TransUnion
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Maine’s residential mortgage lending industry bears little resemblance to its prerecession version as changing conditions have shuffled the deck of top lenders and created new choices for borrowers.
Gone is the dominance of mega-banks such as Bank of America, and in their place are regional community banks and non-bank lenders that specialize in home mortgages.
Two of the biggest non-bank players in Maine today are South Portland-based Residential Mortgage Services Inc. and Detroit-based Quicken Loans Inc., both of which have risen from the ashes of the Great Recession.
In July 2009, Bank of America was the top mortgage lender in Cumberland County, according to county records. In July 2016, Residential Mortgage Services was the top lender, followed by Bangor Savings Bank. Bank of America barely cracked the top 10.
“Dodd-Frank changed the landscape for residential lending – forever,” said Maine Bankers Association CEO Christopher Pinkham, referring to the 2010 Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. “The largest financial institutions have said, … ‘We’re getting out of that business.’ ”
The purpose of Dodd-Frank was to improve the country’s financial stability by increasing transparency and accountability in the financial system and protecting consumers from abusive bank practices. Among other things, it added new regulations for banks and organizations that issue residential mortgage loans.
In its wake, big national banks have shifted their focus away from originating home mortgages. Instead, they have decided to largely forgo the regulatory red tape by purchasing loans originated by third parties. Their exodus from the market has created opportunities for both community banks and non-bank lenders.
SHIFTING DYNAMIC
With major banks backing out of home mortgage originations, a group of innovative non-bank companies have risen to prominence within the industry.
Residential Mortgage Services, or RMS, has become a tremendous success story in Maine. The South Portland company was founded in 1991 as a small mortgage brokerage, and it was converted into a home mortgage lender in 2001.
Michael Ianno, executive vice president of retail production at Residential Mortgage Services. Staff photo by Shawn Patrick Ouellette
Now the company has nearly 900 employees working at 70 branch locations from Bangor to Virginia Beach. Most of its growth has happened in the wake of the financial crisis, said Michael Ianno, the company’s executive vice president of retail production.
“We’re one of the few that survived,” Ianno said. “We actually grew through it.”
Ianno attributed the growth of RMS to its singular focus on mortgages and its ability to process loan applications in person, over the phone or online.
“We just deliver superior customer service,” he said. “This is all we do.”
In 2016, RMS originated nearly 17,500 home purchase and refinance mortgages, worth a total of $3.83 billion, Ianno said.
In Maine, RMS originated 450 mortgages valued at $89 million in the first quarter, the third-highest among all mortgage lenders in the state. It was surpassed only by Bangor Savings Bank with 795 loans worth $112.9 million, and Camden National Bank with 545 loans worth $99.3 million, according to Boston-based real estate and financial data provider The Warren Group.
Some banking industry representatives expressed concern that non-bank lenders aren’t as heavily regulated as banks.
“No one really knows what their level of compliance or noncompliance is,” Pinkham said.
But Ianno took issue with the claim. He said loans originated by RMS meet the same strict standards as bank-issued mortgages, as evidenced by the fact that it sells 90 percent of its loans to major banks and government-sponsored enterprises such as the Federal National Mortgage Association, or Fannie Mae.
Ianno acknowledged that non-bank lenders have a reputation for being major contributors to the 2008 financial crisis, which began with an erosion of underwriting standards and companies issuing loans to homebuyers who could not realistically afford to pay them back.
However, he said all financial institutions, including traditional banks, share responsibility for the crisis, and that regulators have imposed new rules to prevent another catastrophe.
“The credit standards are so much stricter today,” Ianno said.
MORTGAGES GO ONLINE
Another non-bank mortgage lender that has risen to prominence in Maine since the financial crisis is Detroit-based Quicken Loans, which operates online under the brand name Rocket Mortgage.
The company advertises aggressively online, targeting millennials and others who turn to the internet to conduct their research before applying for a home loan. Typing “mortgage loan” into a Google search brings up Rocket Mortgage as one of the top results.
Bill Emerson, vice chairman of Rock Holdings Inc., the parent company of Quicken Loans, said the company did about $96 billion of mortgage loan originations in 2016. In Maine, Quicken Loans originated 399 mortgages valued at $62.9 million in the first quarter, the fourth-highest among lenders in the state.
A large percentage of Rocket Mortgage customers are first-time homebuyers who are unfamiliar with the application process and may be apprehensive about it, Emerson said. The company has designed a simple, user-friendly online application process that is designed to improve transparency and eliminate the applicant’s anxiety. The average time to complete the application is just nine minutes, he said.
“We decided many years ago that the way the loan process works is broken,” Emerson said, and the company set out to fix it.
Pinkham said he is skeptical about the ability of online lenders such as Rocket Mortgage to provide excellent customer service, especially if something goes wrong with the application process. However, he acknowledged that a growing number of consumers want the ability to conduct all of their financial transactions online, and that traditional banks need to provide that ability if they want to compete.
One Maine-based bank that recently launched its own online mortgage application is Camden National, the state’s second-biggest mortgage lender in the first quarter. Others are likely to follow suit.
“There’s no way Camden is going to put that kind of money into that kind of product unless they have already established that that’s what people want,” Pinkham said.
A NEW FRONTIER?
Camden National President and CEO Greg Dufour said the online mortgage product, called MortgageTouch, is the latest step in the bank’s efforts to “build a digital gateway” to banking services.
In the past, mortgage applications always have been paper-intensive, he said, but now banks can access all of the verification data needed to complete the application process digitally. It reduces the application time down to about 15 minutes, Dufour said.
The primary driver of digital applications is customer demand, he said. To compete with companies such as Quicken Loans and the larger banks, Camden National decided it needed to add the online option.
“What we have found is that millennials are much more open to using technology (such as computers and mobile devices) for financial transactions,” Dufour said. “They’re very comfortable with that.”
The goal is not to replace face-to-face transactions but to provide an online alternative for those who would rather not visit a bank branch, he said, adding that Camden National is committed to growing its mortgage business and does not want to lose market share to online-only lenders.
“We have to really compete head-to-head with big companies, technology-wise,” Dufour said.
Bangor Savings, Maine’s largest mortgage lender in the first quarter, also offers an online mortgage application. Company Senior Vice President and Director of Mortgage Lending Bruce Ocko said Bangor Savings’ strategy is to distinguish itself from competitors by offering both high-tech and high-touch options for customers. The product itself is almost irrelevant.
“We’re all selling a widget,” Ocko said. “Our 30-year fixed rate is the same as their 30-year fixed rate.”
Therefore, the only way to gain market share is to provide the best customer experience, he said. Banks such as Bangor Savings and Camden National also promote their charitable contributions to local communities to make customers feel good about using their services.
“Millennials care about social responsibility,” Ocko said. “Does the lender give to the local community?”
There is nothing new about non-bank lenders, said Joe Ferris, director of mortgage lending at Androscoggin Bank. They were major players in the market before the financial crisis, and then most of them were crushed or absorbed in the aftermath. Now, they’re back.
Smaller banks such as Androscoggin don’t need to compete head-to-head with the big banks and non-banks to do a healthy business, he said, and there is a lot more to running a bank than issuing home mortgages.
For example, while Androscoggin does not offer the latest online home mortgage application software, it does provide an online lending system for small commercial loans. Ferris said the product has been very successful.
“I’m going to go where they’re not going,” he said.
J. Craig Anderson can be contacted at 791-6390 or at:
Twitter: jcraiganderson
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Send questions/comments to the editors.
Click a state for a fee-by-fee breakdown of the average closing costs for a mortgage.
Bankrate.com surveyed up to 10 lenders in each state in June 2016 and obtained Loan Estimates online for a $200,000 mortgage to buy a single-family home with a 20% down payment in a large city in that state. Costs include fees charged by lenders, as well as 3rd-party fees for services such as appraisals and credit reports. The survey excludes points, title insurance, title search, taxes, property insurance, association fees, interest and other prepaid items. Those items can cost a lot in total, but they are so local and variable that they are not included in Bankrate’s survey.
Handing over your nest egg can be scary. You’re basically putting your retirement — your future — into someone else’s hands. That’s why it’s so important to exercise extreme caution when choosing a financial professional.
Even if you’ve found someone you think you can trust, it’s smart to remain vigilant. As with any profession, there are people who make promises they can’t keep. Some are great at the pitch but fail when it comes to the follow-through. And some just haven’t been trained very well; their mistakes aren’t intentional, but they can be just as harmful as more purposeful predators.
Keep an eye out for these red flags, which could be a sign that your money isn’t getting the best management. It might be time to move on or, at least, pay more attention and ask more questions.
If you’ve had a conversation about market risk and your ability to deal with it (both financially and emotionally), that’s a good start. But your idea of a conservative or low-risk financial strategy might be much different from your financial professional’s. If you put too much emphasis on your expectations for growth, your financial professional may simply be confused. Or he might be on autopilot, putting everyone he works with into the same moderate mix.
A better way to frame the discussion might be to talk about how much you’re willing to have at risk. When I ask prospective clients that question, they might say 10%, or even zero. Then I look at their portfolios, and they don’t match up at all. These people have no idea they’re so exposed to risk. If an individual is young, there’s always a chance to rebound from a big loss. But if you’re close to retirement or already there, and your portfolio isn’t protected, it could be devastating.
Your financial professional should be able to show you a variety of options for your financial strategy. Make sure they explain the differences in the products and inform you why these products can help you pursue your financial goals.
If there were only one product worth having, the others would go away — and there are tens of thousands of financial vehicles out there. Why present only one? Possibly, it’s because the guy you’re working with is more salesman than financial professional. The firm he works for may have proprietary products or a limited selection of products. He may have been trained to present only those products, and there may be a bonus or commission involved. Make sure you know how your financial professional is compensated, because it could affect the options you’re offered.
If you notice excessive buying and selling in an account over which you’ve given your broker discretion, and those trades seem to benefit him but not you, that could be a sign of “churning,” which is the deliberate buying and selling of securities to generate trade-based fees. And it’s illegal.
Despite regulatory oversight, these activities can go on under the radar, so it’s up to you to watch your statements. What are some signs to watch for? There should be some decipherable rationale for the movement: If the stock’s position went up, for example, and it’s time to take the profits. Or if it went down and you have to stop the loss. But if it seems as though there’s just random movement from one commissionable product to another, take note and ask questions.
Limiting fees and taxes can help you work toward a successful retirement — if not well-managed, they can eat up the money you’re depending on for income. If you’re paying taxes on money you didn’t get, or fees on excessive trades, that’s an added expense.
What should you do if you think your financial professional might be mishandling your money? Some firms offer a no-obligation portfolio analysis to prospective clients — and there are online trackers, as well. These options are worth checking into, especially if there are no strings attached. They can help identify inefficiencies or any moves that weren’t ideal.
Don’t hesitate to get a second opinion. It will help you determine if you’re getting the service you deserve — and it could help preserve your retirement future.
Kim Franke-Folstad contributed to this article.
Jeff Dixson is president and CEO at Northwest Financial and Tax Solutions Inc. and is an Investment Adviser Representative and insurance professional. He hosts a weekly radio show, “The Jeff Dixson Show: The Retirement Coach,” and is the author of “Winning the Retirement Game.”
Comments are suppressed in compliance with industry guidelines. Click here to learn more and read more articles from the author.
This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC or with FINRA.
Costa Mesa, Calif., May 15, 2017 — News of data breaches and the risks of identity theft and fraud persist, but consumers’ vigilance and awareness haven’t kept pace. A national survey by Experian, the world’s leading global information services company, revealed that not only is America’s collective guard down, but people feel they are at a disadvantage when it comes to identity theft. The survey results coincide with Experian’s national launch of IdentityWorks(SM), a comprehensive set of identity theft protection products offering consumers a powerful and user-friendly array of features, including Experian CreditLock and extensive dark web monitoring.
IdentityWorks helps consumers recognize potential identity fraud and respond to it, arming them with credit monitoring and alerts, and credit reports and scores — which are often the first indicators of identity theft and fraud. This new product extends well beyond credit information to include dark web monitoring and alerts, and noncredit transaction monitoring (bank account, Social Security number, change of address, etc.) to detect when a consumer’s personal information is actively marketed on the web or abused in noncredit transactions. IdentityWorks also includes Experian CreditLock, giving consumers real-time access control to their Experian credit file. In addition to the expertise and assistance of fraud resolution specialists, the product also provides the peace of mind of up to $1 million in identity theft insurance.
Concerned about the threat and the hassle
The survey makes clear that complexity, inconvenience and perceived odds of becoming an identity fraud victim have discouraged consumers from making identity protection best practices part of their daily lives.
While 84 percent of respondents acknowledge being concerned about the security of personal information online, nearly two-thirds (64 percent) agree it’s “too much of a hassle to constantly worry about securing personal information online.” The majority say staying on top of financial transactions is a challenge (53 percent), and nearly half (48 percent) don’t even check their credit reports regularly for errors or suspicious activity.
Significant misconceptions about identity theft and fraud
“Consumers seem to be tuning out rather than tuning in,” said Michael Bruemmer, vice president of identity protection at Experian. “Nothing replaces an individual’s active role in identity protection, but there are products — like Experian’s new IdentityWorks — that help consumers increase their awareness and provide tools enabling quick response to potential fraud. It becomes less of a burden when consumers set up alerts for their credit cards and bank accounts, as well as alerts to flag credit report changes.”
In 2016, over 15 million Americans were victims of identity theft, up 16 percent from the previous year.
“Understanding the risks, being aware of the dark web, and researching what can help monitor and mitigate fraud aren’t optional these days. Unfortunately, the survey suggests consumers don’t consider these necessities a priority, which makes life easier for fraudsters,” added Bruemmer.
Key research findings
• Only half (49 percent) of respondents feel they are likely to become a victim of identity theft; of those, 57 percent have house hold income of $100,00 or more and 45 percent have house hold income of less than $50,000.
• A significant majority of respondents (72 percent) think thieves are only interested in “wealthy people’s identities.”
• The number one perceived identity theft threat: data breaches (number two: phishing emails).
• It’s not uncommon for people to search for themselves online to see if anyone else is using their identity (26 percent).
• Bankcard monitoring and credit report monitoring were rated highest as “helpful” when it comes to identity theft (58 percent and 55 percent, respectively).
• Identity theft is familiar to most, with 52 percent of respondents having been victims or knowing someone who has.
• Identity theft victims acknowledged negative impacts to short- and long-term financial goals (37 percent and 27 percent, respectively).
• Of those victimized by identity theft while traveling, 55 percent stated it took from weeks to more than a year to resolve issues related to identity fraud.
For information regarding identity protection and dealing with fraud, as well as more details on this survey, visit the Experian Credit Education blog. Consider enrolling in a dark web and credit monitoring product such as Experian IdentityWorks, which can help better track and manage your credit with mobile alerts, lock your Experian credit file with Experian CreditLock, and help mitigate the damage from fraud with access to fraud resolution specialists and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance.
Tips to help monitor for fraud and protect personal information
• Check your credit report for accuracy. You can get a free report from each credit bureau annually at annualcreditreport.com.
2 Javelin Strategy & Research (2017). “Identity Fraud Hits Record High with 15.4 Million U.S. Victims in 2016.” Javelin Strategy.
• Consider an identity protection product like Experian IdentityWorks to help monitor your financial accounts and credit report. Experian IdentityWorks provides dark web monitoring to identify if personal information is exposed in illegal markets, a variety of alerts to warn of potential identity fraud and up to $1 million in identity theft insurance insurance for peace of mind.
• Password-protect your phone. Your phone provides access to sensitive information and accounts. Set a unique password to unlock the device, and enable remote finding and wiping software to track the phone or destroy the data if it’s lost or stolen.
• Use a password manager to create strong passwords for online accounts, and change them regularly.
• Don’t access financial information or shop online using public Wi-Fi or an unsecured network.
• Be careful about what personal information you share online (e.g., social networks).
Contacts:
Ann Noder
Pitch PR
1 480 263 1557
ann@pitchpublicrelations.com
About the survey
The online survey was conducted by Edelman Berland on Experian’s behalf from March 17–23, 2017, among 1,000 adults 18 years of age or older who reside in the United States. This online survey is not based on a probability sample; therefore, no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey, methodology, including weighting variables, please contact ann@pitchpublicrelations.com.
About Experian
Experian® is the world’s leading global information services company. During life’s big moments — from buying a home or a car, to sending a child to college, to growing a business by connecting with new customers — we empower consumers and our clients to manage their data with confidence. We help individuals to take financial control and access financial services, businesses to make smarter decisions and thrive, lenders to lend more responsibly, and organizations to prevent identity fraud and crime.
We have 17,000 people operating across 37 countries and every day we’re investing in new technologies, talented people and innovation to help all our clients maximize every opportunity. We are listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and are a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. Learn more at www.experianplc.com or visit our global content hub at our global news blog for the latest news and insights from the company.
While it once was the dream of many, not every American wants to live in a large home. This is true across generations, according to a recent Trulia study. Small homes and small home mortgage loans are enjoying new popularity.
About 29 percent of those living in a 2,700 square foot home for at least ten years said they’d buy a small home next. And 70 percent of those with houses over 3,200 square feet claimed they’d go smaller next time around.
Click to see your low-downpayment loan eligibility (May 15th, 2017)
The truth is that larger houses and bigger yards require more heating, cooling, repair and maintenance — either your time, or your money paying for someone else’s time.
And who wants super jumbo loans when they can have small home mortgage loans?
Very few of us aspire to be “gentleman farmers” anymore.
What about downsizing? Leaving it all behind?
Americans hate to move because we still have to do something with that lifetime’s worth of junk we can’t admit is, well, junk.
Yet, there are ways to make it less overwhelming and it starts with planning early and carefully.
First, think about the reasons you want to chuck the big house for smaller digs.
Is it to save money, or to live near loved ones where lots are smaller? Has your family composition changed — a divorce or the kids moving out?
Do you or a loved one have health issues you need to address? Have you decided to pursue your own business or hike the Himalayas?
Write down your goals for the move. Only then can you determine how much you’re willing to downsize, what sort of small mortgage loans to consider, and if you even need a mortgage at all.
Moving to a smaller home is a major economic and psychological shift.
It’s important to know what you’ll require for comfort in a smaller home. If your move is to pursue a dream, know what your new space must have to make it happen.
Decide what amenities you’ll need in your smaller home. Maybe open space with lots of light. Perhaps a small garden instead of your old huge yard.
Or, maybe you’ll need a home office in while you can meet clients or spend 18 hours a day crunching numbers.
Establish what you’re willing to live without. Decide the largest space you’re able to manage and what you’ll need there.
When you reduce your living space, especially after a decade or more, you have to limit what you will take with you. You just can’t teleport the contents of a 3,200 square foot mansion to your new 1,200 square foot cabin.
One well-known television show forces its downsizing participants to pile everything they want to keep into one room. If it doesn’t fit, it doesn’t make the cut.
See how much you really need off-street parking or playground equipment. Or your grandfather clock…
Avoid rushing this part of your decision, because it really determines how you’ll execute the next steps.
Start by deciding immediately what’s not moving with you. That should be easy — if you haven’t used it in a year or couldn’t even tell someone where it’s stored, you should probably kiss it goodbye and find it a new home.
Then, there are the things you can’t live without — the treasures you’d go back into burning buildings for (but if you’re smart, they’re already in safe deposit boxes somewhere).
Next comes the hard part—deciding what to do with the stuff that’s not on either list. You’ll have to go through it carefully and let go.
Maybe you can’t keep all your kids’ cards and drawings from school so decide which are most precious to you. But you need important paperwork and documents so set it aside so it doesn’t get lost or thrown out.
Now also is the time to part with anything someone gave or left you that you don’t absolutely love but felt guilty letting go. You may have to downsize hobbies or collections that just won’t fit into your new space or life.
What affect will rightsizing your life for you have on your financial picture? Whether or not your move is a cost-cutting one, run the numbers. Know your financial picture and how it will shift if you move.
Review your credit reports and score and clear up any issues.
If you’re self-employed, there are special considerations — businesses must be established and portable to qualify for small home mortgage loans in new locations.
Start getting an idea of what’s necessary to sell your house, get your house appraised, and begin working with qualified real estate agent.
If you can find one that specializes in helping clients downsize, you’ll be in better shape during the process. Make sure others on your real estate team know this process well, too.
Consider the tax implications of selling one home and buying another. In fact, talk to a tax professional about this and other tax implications of downsizing.
You may be better off keeping your old house as a rental and buying a new house to live in. Or taking advantage of real estate profits you’re allowed to exclude from taxable income.
If you lived in your home ten or more years, a lot has changed for buyers in the real estate and mortgage market. If you’re downsizing to a condo, there are special rules.
Learn about the overhaul of laws for lenders and buyers under Know Before You Owe regulations put in place after the last real estate crisis.
In many ways, there are more protections for real estate buyers. There are additional requirements.
Also, you can leverage a variety of down payment and other strategies to get the best mortgage available to you. It’s easier than ever to learn much of what you need to know from home using online tools.
You may not be a first time home buyer. But, if you’ve been out of the market for awhile, get educated on your options before you sell you current home.
Finally, contact some lenders who specialize in small home mortgage loans and make them work for your business.
Click to see your low-downpayment loan eligibility (May 15th, 2017)
The information contained on The Mortgage Reports website is for informational purposes only and is not an advertisement for products offered by Full Beaker. The views and opinions expressed herein are those of the author and do not reflect the policy or position of Full Beaker, its officers, parent, or affiliates.
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Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton and Miss Arkansas Arynn Johnshon both received their education from Texas’ Baylor University and they both are competing for the Miss USA crown. Continue clicking to learn the things about the Baylor Bears ahead of their competition on Sunday.
Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton and Miss Arkansas Arynn Johnshon both received their education from Texas’ Baylor University and they both are competing for the Miss USA crown. Continue clicking to learn the
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Things to know about Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton
She’s a December 2014 Baylor University graduate.
Source: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton
She’s a December 2014 Baylor University graduate.
Source: Instagram
Photo: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton
She’s a fan of DJ Khaled and isn’t afraid of the phrase “major key.”
Source: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton
She’s a fan of DJ Khaled and isn’t afraid of the phrase “major key.”
Source: Instagram
Photo: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton
She has two other equally beautiful sisters.
Source: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton
She has two other equally beautiful sisters.
Source: Instagram
Photo: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton
She is super bendy thanks to her yoga skills.
Source: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton
She is super bendy thanks to her yoga skills.
Source: Instagram
Photo: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton
Her best day ever was when her aunt set up a meeting with her and former President Barack Obama.
Source: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton
Her best day ever was when her aunt set up a meeting with her and former President Barack Obama.
Source: Instagram
Photo: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton
She spent a lot of time on the sidelines of the Baylor football team’s sideline for her job.
Source: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton
She spent a lot of time on the sidelines of the Baylor football team’s sideline for her job.
Source: Instagram
Photo: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton
Before getting her crown, she was a pilot for Delta Airlines.
Source: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton
Before getting her crown, she was a pilot for Delta Airlines.
Source: Instagram
Photo: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton
She regularly posts about her Christianity and her favorite bible verses.
Source: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton
She regularly posts about her Christianity and her favorite bible verses.
Source: Instagram
Photo: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton
She regularly calls herself a princess and sleeps in her crown (probably not, but this is a cute photo, nonetheless)
Source: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton
She regularly calls herself a princess and sleeps in her crown (probably not, but this is a cute photo, nonetheless)
Source: Instagram
Photo: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Arkansas Arynn Johnson
She also sleeps in her crown. Is this a thing?
Source: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Arkansas Arynn Johnson
She also sleeps in her crown. Is this a thing?
Source: Instagram
Photo: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Arkansas Arynn Johnson
She’s completed a mud run obstacle course with grace, we’re sure.
Source: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Arkansas Arynn Johnson
She’s completed a mud run obstacle course with grace, we’re sure.
Source: Instagram
Photo: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Arkansas Arynn Johnson
She’s attending Baylor University in Waco.
Source: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Arkansas Arynn Johnson
She’s attending Baylor University in Waco.
Source: Instagram
Photo: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Arkansas Arynn Johnson
She knows how to shoot guns and has killed at least one deer in her day.
Source: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Arkansas Arynn Johnson
She knows how to shoot guns and has killed at least one deer in her day.
Source: Instagram
Photo: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Arkansas Arynn Johnson
She takes her gym time very seriously.
Source: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Arkansas Arynn Johnson
She takes her gym time very seriously.
Source: Instagram
Photo: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Arkansas Arynn Johnson
She’s dating Baylor baseball pitcher Kyle Hill.
Source: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Arkansas Arynn Johnson
She’s dating Baylor baseball pitcher Kyle Hill.
Source: Instagram
Photo: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Arkansas Arynn Johnson
She can do an expertly formed pull up on Nevada cliffs.
Source: Instagram
Things to know about Miss Arkansas Arynn Johnson
She can do an expertly formed pull up on Nevada cliffs.
Source: Instagram
Photo: Instagram
Continue clicking to discover the other Miss USA contestants and their passion projects.
Continue clicking to discover the other Miss USA contestants and their passion projects.
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Continue clicking to meet the 2017 Miss USA contestants competing this Sunday for the crown. To see the full biographies of the contestants, click here.
Continue clicking to meet the 2017 Miss USA contestants competing this Sunday for the crown. To see the full biographies of the contestants, click here.
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Baylee Smith, Miss Alabama USA 2017
Passion project: In pursuit of her degree in Elementary Education and desires to help stop bullying.
Age: 20
Baylee Smith, Miss Alabama USA 2017
Passion project: In pursuit of her degree in Elementary Education and desires to help stop bullying.
Age: 20
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Alyssa London, Miss Alaska USA 2017
Passion project: The Standford University graduate has founded Our Culture Story, which celebrates and highlights various cultures from around the world.
Age: 27
Alyssa London, Miss Alaska USA 2017
Passion project: The Standford University graduate has founded Our Culture Story, which celebrates and highlights various cultures from around the world.
Age: 27
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Tommy Lynn Calhoun, Miss Arizona USA 2017
Passion project: Volunteering with Tuscon, Arizona charities and outreach programs that help children in need.
Age: 26
Tommy Lynn Calhoun, Miss Arizona USA 2017
Passion project: Volunteering with Tuscon, Arizona charities and outreach programs that help children in need.
Age: 26
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Arynn Johnson, Miss Arkansas USA 2017
Passion project: She is training for an obstacle course race in between attending Baylor University and giving back to her community.
Age: 21
Arynn Johnson, Miss Arkansas USA 2017
Passion project: She is training for an obstacle course race in between attending Baylor University and giving back to her community.
Age: 21
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
India Williams, Miss California USA 2017
Passion project: She is a junior at Loyola Marymount University and hopes to pursue a career in Intellectual Property Rights. She also has been studying Mandarin Chinese for nearly six years.
Age: 20
India Williams, Miss California USA 2017
Passion project: She is a junior at Loyola Marymount University and hopes to pursue a career in Intellectual Property Rights. She also has been studying Mandarin
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Sabrina Janssen, Miss Colorado USA 2017
Passion project: She is a full-time model and plans to further her education in the future.
Age: 21
Sabrina Janssen, Miss Colorado USA 2017
Passion project: She is a full-time model and plans to further her education in the future.
Age: 21
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Olga Litvinenko, Miss Connecticut USA 2017
Passion project: Originally born in Kev, Ukraine. She is the founder of Olga and Company and is a marketing manager at Miller Motorcars.
Age: 27
Olga Litvinenko, Miss Connecticut USA 2017
Passion project: Originally born in Kev, Ukraine. She is the founder of Olga and Company and is a marketing manager at Miller Motorcars.
Age: 27
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Kára McCullough, Miss District Of Columbia USA 2017
Passion project: As the daughter of a now-retired US Navy Chief Petty Officer, she has lived in many places including Sicily, Japan, South Korea and Hawaii.
Age: 25
Kára McCullough, Miss District Of Columbia USA 2017
Passion project: As the daughter of a now-retired US Navy Chief Petty Officer, she has lived in many places including Sicily, Japan, South Korea and
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Mia Jones, Miss Delaware USA 2017
Passion project: Art education major at Delaware State University and an Alpha Kappa Alpha member. She aims to be of “service to all mankind.”
Age: 20
Mia Jones, Miss Delaware USA 2017
Passion project: Art education major at Delaware State University and an Alpha Kappa Alpha member. She aims to be of “service to all mankind.”
Age: 20
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Linette De Los Santos, Miss Florida USA 2017
Passion project: She is currently attending law school at Nova Southeastern University and aims to become a Supreme Court Justice.
Age: 25
Linette De Los Santos, Miss Florida USA 2017
Passion project: She is currently attending law school at Nova Southeastern University and aims to become a Supreme Court Justice.
Age: 25
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
DeAnna Johnson, Miss Georgia USA 2017
Passion project: She was a top 10 finalist on NBC’s “The Voice” and aims to aid in the fight against childhood sex trafficking.
Age: 21
DeAnna Johnson, Miss Georgia USA 2017
Passion project: She was a top 10 finalist on NBC’s “The Voice” and aims to aid in the fight against childhood sex trafficking.
Age: 21
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Julie Kuo, Miss Hawaii USA 2017
Passion project: Originally born in Taiwan, her family moved to Hawaii to find the American Dream. She graduated high school as valedictorian and has a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Age: 23
Julie Kuo, Miss Hawaii USA 2017
Passion project: Originally born in Taiwan, her family moved to Hawaii to find the American Dream. She graduated high school as valedictorian and has a bachelor’s degree in
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Cassie Lewis, Miss Idaho USA 2017
Passion project: She has mentored high school girls for the past six years and is passionate about instilling confidence in young girls
Age: 25
Cassie Lewis, Miss Idaho USA 2017
Passion project: She has mentored high school girls for the past six years and is passionate about instilling confidence in young girls
Age: 25
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Whitney Wandland, Miss Illinois USA 2017
Passion project: As a professional dancer, she has landed roles as a featured dancer on Fox’s “Empire” and was selected as a performer at the NBA Allstar Weekend 2017 in New Orleans.
Age: 25
Whitney Wandland, Miss Illinois USA 2017
Passion project: As a professional dancer, she has landed roles as a featured dancer on Fox’s “Empire” and was selected as a performer at the NBA Allstar Weekend
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Brittany Winchester, Miss Indiana USA 2017
Passion project: After her own skin-cancer scare, she is passionate about promoting skin cancer prevention and awareness.
Age: 27
Brittany Winchester, Miss Indiana USA 2017
Passion project: After her own skin-cancer scare, she is passionate about promoting skin cancer prevention and awareness.
Age: 27
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Kelsey Weier, Miss Iowa USA 2017
Passion project: Through her Catholic school background, she learned the importance of being a role model in her community and giving a voice to others.
Age: 26
Kelsey Weier, Miss Iowa USA 2017
Passion project: Through her Catholic school background, she learned the importance of being a role model in her community and giving a voice to others.
Age: 26
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Catherine Carmichael, Miss Kansas USA 2017
Passion project: She played volleyball at the University of Kansas while getting her degree in cultural studies with a minor in communication studies.
Age: 25
Catherine Carmichael, Miss Kansas USA 2017
Passion project: She played volleyball at the University of Kansas while getting her degree in cultural studies with a minor in communication studies.
Age: 25
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Madelynne Myers, Miss Kentucky USA 2017
Passion project: In May, she will graduate from Vanderbilt University with a molecular and cellular biology major and a chemistry and Spanish minor. She aims to attend medical school to become a surgeon.
Age: 22
Madelynne Myers, Miss Kentucky USA 2017
Passion project: In May, she will graduate from Vanderbilt University with a molecular and cellular biology major and a chemistry and Spanish minor. She aims to
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Bethany Trahan, Miss Louisiana USA 2017
Passion project: The senior at McNeese State University is studying Mass Communications focused on public relations.
Age: 21
Bethany Trahan, Miss Louisiana USA 2017
Passion project: The senior at McNeese State University is studying Mass Communications focused on public relations.
Age: 21
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Brooke Harris, Miss Maine USA 2017
Passion project: She is currently a post-surgical, oncology nurse at Biddeford Medical Center in Maine.
Age: 26
Brooke Harris, Miss Maine USA 2017
Passion project: She is currently a post-surgical, oncology nurse at Biddeford Medical Center in Maine.
Age: 26
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Adrianna David, Miss Maryland USA 2017
Passion project: She is a co-founder of Charities Angels, which is committed to giving to those in need through fundraising efforts.
Age: 22
Adrianna David, Miss Maryland USA 2017
Passion project: She is a co-founder of Charities Angels, which is committed to giving to those in need through fundraising efforts.
Age: 22
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Julia Scaparotti, Miss Massachusetts USA 2017
Passion project: She is a former digital media planner in the media hub division of Mullen Lowe Advertising Agency.
Age: 25
Julia Scaparotti, Miss Massachusetts USA 2017
Passion project: She is a former digital media planner in the media hub division of Mullen Lowe Advertising Agency.
Age: 25
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Krista Ferguson, Miss Michigan USA 2017
Passion project: The student and model travels as an advocate for diabetes awareness, sharing her own story to the people impacted by the disease.
Age: 24
Krista Ferguson, Miss Michigan USA 2017
Passion project: The student and model travels as an advocate for diabetes awareness, sharing her own story to the people impacted by the disease.
Age: 24
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Meridith Gould, Miss Minnesota USA 2017
Passion project: Her passion for fine arts lead her to become a four-year All-State Choir delegate and an alto saxophone player for eleven years, earning her the Semper Fidelis Award for Musical Excellence.
Age: 22
Meridith Gould, Miss Minnesota USA 2017
Passion project: Her passion for fine arts lead her to become a four-year All-State Choir delegate and an alto saxophone player for eleven years, earning her the
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Ashley Hamby, Miss Mississippi USA 2017
Passion project: In pursuit of her master’s degree in school counseling and she is also an All-Star cheerleading coach and tumbling instructor.
Age: 24
Ashley Hamby, Miss Mississippi USA 2017
Passion project: In pursuit of her master’s degree in school counseling and she is also an All-Star cheerleading coach and tumbling instructor.
Age: 24
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Bayleigh Dayton, Miss Missouri USA 2017
Passion project: The Baylor University graduate is planning to pursue her MBA this fall.
Age: 23
Bayleigh Dayton, Miss Missouri USA 2017
Passion project: The Baylor University graduate is planning to pursue her MBA this fall.
Age: 23
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Brooke Bezanson, Miss Montana USA 2017
Passion project: She aims to own her own animation studio in the future and is an avid lover of Japanese culture.
Age: 20
Brooke Bezanson, Miss Montana USA 2017
Passion project: She aims to own her own animation studio in the future and is an avid lover of Japanese culture.
Age: 20
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Jasmine Fuelberth, Miss Nebraska USA 2017
Passion project: She has found a love for public speaking and has goals of being a motivational speaker with her own YouTube channel.
Age: 20
Jasmine Fuelberth, Miss Nebraska USA 2017
Passion project: She has found a love for public speaking and has goals of being a motivational speaker with her own YouTube channel.
Age: 20
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Lauren York, Miss Nevada USA 2017
Passion project: Her modeling career as a print and runway model has taken her across the country in pursuit of her dreams.
Age: 23
Lauren York, Miss Nevada USA 2017
Passion project: Her modeling career as a print and runway model has taken her across the country in pursuit of her dreams.
Age: 23
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Sarah Mousseau, Miss New Hampshire USA 2017
Passion project: Due to her love of singing, she became fascinated with the anatomy and physiology of the voice and how humans communicate.
Age: 26
Sarah Mousseau, Miss New Hampshire USA 2017
Passion project: Due to her love of singing, she became fascinated with the anatomy and physiology of the voice and how humans communicate.
Age: 26
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Chhavi Verg, Miss New Jersey USA 2017
Passion project: She was born in India and moved to the states at the age of four. She is now a student at Rutgers University studying marketing and Spanish.
Age: 20
Chhavi Verg, Miss New Jersey USA 2017
Passion project: She was born in India and moved to the states at the age of four. She is now a student at Rutgers University studying marketing and
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Ashley Mora, Miss New Mexico USA 2017
Passion project: The former University of New Mexico Lobos cheerleader is now a licensed real estate agent and fitness instructor.
Age: 25
Ashley Mora, Miss New Mexico USA 2017
Passion project: The former University of New Mexico Lobos cheerleader is now a licensed real estate agent and fitness instructor.
Age: 25
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Hannah Lopa, Miss New York USA 2017
Passion project: Thanks to her background in performing arts, she landed a character role as Disney World where she worked with Make-A-Wish foundation.
Age: 25
Hannah Lopa, Miss New York USA 2017
Passion project: Thanks to her background in performing arts, she landed a character role as Disney World where she worked with Make-A-Wish foundation.
Age: 25
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Kaitlin Coble, Miss North Carolina USA 2017
Passion project: The professional model has hopes to “taste” her way around the world.
Age: 27
Kaitlin Coble, Miss North Carolina USA 2017
Passion project: The professional model has hopes to “taste” her way around the world.
Age: 27
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Raquel Wellentin, Miss North Dakota USA 2017
Passion project: She is also an advocate for women’s health and empowerment, children’s education and eliminating racism.
Age: 24
Raquel Wellentin, Miss North Dakota USA 2017
Passion project: She is also an advocate for women’s health and empowerment, children’s education and eliminating racism.
Age: 24
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Dinaleigh Baxter, Miss Ohio USA 2017
Passion project: She is currently pursuing her law degree and travels and volunteers when she isn’t studying.
Age: 24
Dinaleigh Baxter, Miss Ohio USA 2017
Passion project: She is currently pursuing her law degree and travels and volunteers when she isn’t studying.
Age: 24
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Alex Smith, Miss Oklahoma USA 2017
Passion project: She completed her business administration bachelor’s degree in the top ten percentile and was inducted into Delta Mu Delta.
Age: 22
Alex Smith, Miss Oklahoma USA 2017
Passion project: She completed her business administration bachelor’s degree in the top ten percentile and was inducted into Delta Mu Delta.
Age: 22
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Liz Denny, Miss Oregon USA 2017
Passion project: As a freelance makeup artist throughout the west coast, she has traveled more than 30,000 miles since January.
Age: 26
Liz Denny, Miss Oregon USA 2017
Passion project: As a freelance makeup artist throughout the west coast, she has traveled more than 30,000 miles since January.
Age: 26
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Cassandra Angst, Miss Pennsylvania USA 2017
Passion project: She is currently a professional model working towards obtaining a BSN degree to become a trauma nurse.
Age: 22
Cassandra Angst, Miss Pennsylvania USA 2017
Passion project: She is currently a professional model working towards obtaining a BSN degree to become a trauma nurse.
Age: 22
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Kelsey Swanson, Miss Rhode Island USA 2017
Passion project: Since the age of 18, she’s traveled to over 20 countries and is working towards her degree to become a child psychologist.
Age: 23
Kelsey Swanson, Miss Rhode Island USA 2017
Passion project: Since the age of 18, she’s traveled to over 20 countries and is working towards her degree to become a child psychologist.
Age: 23
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Megan Gordon, Miss South Carolina USA 2017
Passion project: She is a recent graduate of Armstrong State University with a degree in nursing specializing in pediatrics.
Age: 23
Megan Gordon, Miss South Carolina USA 2017
Passion project: She is a recent graduate of Armstrong State University with a degree in nursing specializing in pediatrics.
Age: 23
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Tessa Dee, Miss South Dakota USA 2017
Passion project: She volunteers with at-risk English Second Language students between her jobs as a public speaker and wellness coach.
Age: 26
Tessa Dee, Miss South Dakota USA 2017
Passion project: She volunteers with at-risk English Second Language students between her jobs as a public speaker and wellness coach.
Age: 26
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Allee-Sutton Hethcoat, Miss Tennessee USA 2017
Passion project: She graduated from the Belmont University as a member of the Alpha Chi honor society.
Age: 25
Allee-Sutton Hethcoat, Miss Tennessee USA 2017
Passion project: She graduated from the Belmont University as a member of the Alpha Chi honor society.
Age: 25
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Nancy Gonzalez, Miss Texas USA 2017
Passion project: She loves the outdoors, but she also works in her office sourcing, negotiating and purchasing oil and gas materials for her employer.
Age: 27
Nancy Gonzalez, Miss Texas USA 2017
Passion project: She loves the outdoors, but she also works in her office sourcing, negotiating and purchasing oil and gas materials for her employer.
Age: 27
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Baylee Jensen, Miss Utah USA 2017
Passion project: As the eldest of five children, she graduated with honors as a communication studies major and a dual minor in sociology and criminal justice.
Age: 23
Baylee Jensen, Miss Utah USA 2017
Passion project: As the eldest of five children, she graduated with honors as a communication studies major and a dual minor in sociology and criminal justice.
Age: 23
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Madison Cota, Miss Vermont USA 2017
Passion project: She is currently studying fashion and retail merchandising and event management and also is a NCAA Division III basketball player.
Age: 21
Madison Cota, Miss Vermont USA 2017
Passion project: She is currently studying fashion and retail merchandising and event management and also is a NCAA Division III basketball player.
Age: 21
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Jacqueline Carroll, Miss Virginia USA 2017
Passion project: She was a 4-year collegiate volleyball player, majoring in psychology.
Age: 23
Jacqueline Carroll, Miss Virginia USA 2017
Passion project: She was a 4-year collegiate volleyball player, majoring in psychology.
Age: 23
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Alex Carlson-Helo, Miss Washington USA 2017
Passion project: After being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at 21, she has had to relearn how to walk and understands that any goal can be met.
Age: 23
Alex Carlson-Helo, Miss Washington USA 2017
Passion project: After being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis at 21, she has had to relearn how to walk and understands that any goal can be met.
Age: 23
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Lauren Roush, Miss West Virginia USA 2017
Passion project: She’s always down for adventures, including skydiving over Red Rock canyon and snorkeling the Great Coral Reef.
Age: 22
Lauren Roush, Miss West Virginia USA 2017
Passion project: She’s always down for adventures, including skydiving over Red Rock canyon and snorkeling the Great Coral Reef.
Age: 22
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Skylar Witte, Miss Wisconsin USA 2017
Passion project: She is attending the University of Wisconsin pursuing a double major in political science and communication arts. Aside from her studies, she has most recently walked in New York Fashion Week.
Age: 19
Skylar Witte, Miss Wisconsin USA 2017
Passion project: She is attending the University of Wisconsin pursuing a double major in political science and communication arts. Aside from her studies, she has most
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
Mikaela Shaw, Miss Wyoming USA 2017
Passion project: As an active violinist, she promotes the importance of music education and encourages young students to learn how to play musical instruments.
Age: 23
Mikaela Shaw, Miss Wyoming USA 2017
Passion project: As an active violinist, she promotes the importance of music education and encourages young students to learn how to play musical
Photo: Georgina Vaughan/Miss Universe Organization
A Baylor University graduate and current student have their eyes set on winning the Miss USA title this Sunday in Las Vegas.
Miss Missouri Bayleigh Dayton, who graduated from Baylor in 2014, and current student Miss Arkansas Arynn Johnson are both competing in the 2017 Miss USA beauty pageant.
ALL THE GIRLS: Discover the Miss USA contestants’ passion projects for their reign
While the two women represent states other than Texas, their Texas ties run deep, according to their social media profiles.
The 51 girls from around the country all arrive to Las Vegas to prepare for the Miss USA pageant on Sunday, May 14, 2017.
Media: Miss USA 2017
Dayton may have graduated from Baylor in December 2014, but Baylor Bears pride still runs deep throughout her Instagram page. As for Johnson, she’s still in attendance, so Texas adventures, including floating the river and swimming in Barton Springs in Austin, flood her Instagram account, as well. Click through the gallery above to learn the things to know about the two Baylor alums competing for the Miss USA crown.
While all Texans are naturally rooting for Miss Texas Nancy Gonzalez, we’d like to think these two Baylor women are an extended family of all Texans. Best of luck to you three!
CONTROVERSY: Winner of ‘Miss Black University’ receives hate for not being black enough
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