Jaclyn Schultz, of was networking in her career as a media strategist when she decided to enter the Miss Michigan pageant as a new challenge. A newcomer to pageants, Schultz was hoping to finish in the top 15.
But instead, she won the crown.
Schultz, 24, who works for Brogan & Partners in Birmingham, was crowned Miss Michigan USA 2013 at ceremonies in Port Huron. She was among 70 women who competed for the title of Miss Michigan USA on Sept. 29 at McMorran Theater in Port Huron.
“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “I was sobbing in all the pictures.”
She was a little nervous about being in the Miss Michigan pageant, but it was more excitement on her part, Schultz said. “I channel my nerves toward it being a positive thing.”
On stage as one of the top 5, the question she drew from a fish bowl was, “What is the one thing that separates Michigan from any other state?”
As a public relations graduate from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, Schultz had the answer. She said the Pure Michigan advertising campaign for the state is amazing and connects with people. It could ultimately boost Michigan’s economy, Schultz answered.
“Other states could learn from that,” she said.
It’s something she believes in strongly.
“As an advertising professional, I have become increasingly aware of the power of communications,” Schultz said, in a press statement on the Brogan & Partners website. “The Miss Michigan platform will give me a unique opportunity to blend my passion for my work and love of my home state. I’m thrilled to be another positive voice for Michigan.”
At the Miss Michigan pageant, she met a lot of really nice girls, she added. Many of them had never entered a pageant before.
And she’s adjusting to the fame that comes with being Miss Michigan.
“The first week was really a lot,” she said. “Now I’m adjusted.”
She was on CBS last week and has been talking with other members of the media. And Schultz is a new ambassador for the Pink Fund, an organization helping in the fight against breast cancer. The Pink Fund provides money to women with breast cancer who need assistance with doctor bills.
“I basically can do as many events and appearances as I want,” she said.
And, as a former public relations intern for Special Olympics Michigan, Schultz’ previous supervisors there asked her to appear in the opening ceremony for the state soccer finals this weekend. She said she’ll be there.
Her co-workers at Brogan & Partners and her family were at the Miss Michigan pageant to support her. And when Schultz walked in to work on the Monday after winning, she was greeted with banners, cake and streamers.
“It was a big celebration,” she said. “Everybody is so excited for me. They are being 100 percent supportive.”
A graduate of Roosevelt High School in Wyandotte, Schultz is earning her masters’ degree in advertising with night classes through Michigan State University.
She enjoys kickboxing and hanging out with friends.
And she has a new yellow lab puppy, Takoda, which she’s training.
“Training the dog comes first,” she said.
In five years, “I’d like to see myself hopefully engaged, or married with a family and working in advertising or public relations,” Schultz said.
As Miss Michigan, Schultz will represent the state in the Miss USA 2013 Pageant. It will be in June in Las Vegas on a date to be determined, and she’ll meet Donald Trump, she said. She’s very excited.
Schultz would like to see herself win Miss USA, and then Miss Universe. Becoming Miss Michigan has really made her a believer in reaching for the stars.
“I would just say if you have a dream and you really want to do something, just do it,” she said. “I believe that now 100 percent. You’ll never know what could happen unless you try.”
