Kayla Root, a sophomore at Penn State University, traveled to Las Vegas last week to represent her home state of Pennsylvania in the United States of America’s Miss pageant.

Speaking by telephone in Las Vegas, Karen Root said that her daughter arrived on Wednesday, Feb. 13 to begin the preparation work for the pageant. She then went through a series of interviews with pageant judges, discussing her own background and goals, as well as issues like politics and world events, before taking part in the beauty pageant competitions on Saturday and Sunday.

Kayla is a graduate of Oxford Area High School, and has been a regular pageant titlist. She was most recently crowned United States of America’s Miss Pennsylvania 2019, and will be traveling extensively around the state for the rest of the year as a result of winning that honor.

At Penn State University, Kayla has a dual major, focusing on microbiology and physics. Her goal is to become a veterinarian and animal health correspondent after graduation.

Karen said that joining beauty pageants has helped her daughter in a variety of ways. When Kayla was in fourth grade, a classmate nominated her to take part in a pageant, and that’s how she got started taking part in competitions. The little extra push to get involved helped Kayla start overcoming her natural shyness, Karen said. Since then, competing in pageants has offered Kayla a number of unique experiences and benefits.

“It initially helped me overcome shyness, but over the years I’ve learned confidence, poise, public speaking, health and fitness, and how to think quickly on my feet,” Kayla said in a statement. “I read the motto of the United States of America’s pageants, which is to ‘Empower women, inspire others, and uplift everyone, and I knew I wanted to compete.”

Kayla is confident that the being United States of America’s Miss Pennsylvania 2019 will help her as she strives to meet her career goals.

“No matter what, I will achieve my goals, but the title and support can help me do it faster,” Kayla explained. She plans to accomplish three goals this year, including expanding her non-profit, Beyond Equality’s board of directors, and providing more scholarships. She is also hoping that her title can help her in promoting ‘Four-Legged Fitness Challenge’ which she founded to encourage people to exercise with their pets. And because music is one of her biggest hobbies, she plans to play music or sing at as many venues as possible this year. Kayla is a great music lover and can play eight different instruments.

Karen explained that since her daughter was chosen United States of America’s Miss Pennsylvania 2019, she has already appeared in Kennett Square at the Midnight in the Square event on New Year’s Eve, and in Punxsutawney, Pa. for the celebrated Groundhog Day event. Karen said that her daughter is hoping to schedule as many appearances as possible in the coming months.

To request an appearance with Kayla Nicole Root, please visit her ‘USOA Miss Pennsylvania’ page on Facebook or via e-mail at [email protected].

Kayla said that she is enjoying every step of the journey.

“I’m gaining such amazing experiences, I am very excited and looking forward to what comes next,” she said.