Maria DeLong

Congratulations to one of my favorite queens, Kenlee, in winning the National title at Miss Elementary America last night! Kenlee, I have loved watching you journey through the years- keep shining bright, sweetheart! #missultimateusa #ultimateera #ultimatelyyou #sisterqueens #sisterhood #positivepageantry #beautyqueens

Miss Ultimate USA photo challenge, day 7: pageant prep. One of the many ways I prep for the upcoming @missultimateusa Nationals is by practicing my walk, any time, anywhere 😊 #missultimateusa #ultimatelyyou #ultimateera #beautyqueen #pageantlife

Miss Ultimate USA photo challenge, day 6: crown in unusual places. Can you guess where my beautiful crown has landed today?! Hint: my 2 favorite worlds, combined! #missultimateusa #ultimatelyyou #ultimateera #morethanjustacrown

Miss Ultimate USA photo challenge day 5: how I empower others. Through my Ultimate Service Initiative @theplanet_movement I try to educate others on different ways to reduce waste in everyday life. And I always lead by example: I collect clothes and shoes to donate to less fortunate, I shop at thrift stores, I collect boxes and plastic bottles at parties to recycle, I use reusable bags for groceries, etc. Check out my page for more ideas! #missultimateusa #ultimatelyyou #ultimateera #ultimateserviceinitiative #beautyqueen

Miss Ultimate USA photo challenge, day 4: my favorite phase of the competition is evening gown. I loved feeling glamorous in this gorgeous gown by @ashleylauren 🤩 HMUA @jules_corsi #missultimateusa #ultimatelyyou #ultimatequeen #ultimateera #beautyqueen #pageantgirl #glamorous #eveninggown

Miss Ultimate USA countdown day 3: my ultimate service initiative. I founded @theplanet_movement to teach people about living a sustainable lifestyle and taking care of the environment. Go check out my page! #theplanetmovement #missultimateusa #nationals #pageant #countdown #pageantgirl

The weather today was perfect for volunteering with our local park department, helping out with some fun family activities. I guess Thursdays are suitable for volunteering too 🙂 #missultimateusa #ultimatelyyou #ultimateera #volunteering #lovetovolunteer #morethanjustacrown

And here are the other 3 National judges for Miss Ultimate USA. I love how they all come from so many different walks of life! Can’t wait to show them what I have to offer as an Ultimate queen 👸🏼 #missultimateusa #ultimateera #ultimatelyyou

Miss Ultimate USA Nationals countdown, day 2: sister queens… This is really one of the main reasons I still compete in pageants- the girls I have met on this road are amazingly driven individuals, who are successful not only at reaching their own goals, but also at helping their sister queens to achieve theirs! Can’t wait to see all of you in Florida oh do soon!!!! #missultimateusa #ultimatelyyou #ultimateera #ultimatequeen #sisterhood #positivepageantry #sashsisters

Good luck to my sister queen Whitney @whitney.pageants_ as she competes for the title of Miss Indiana’s Teen ! #sisterqueens #positivepageantry #sashsisters #beautyqueens

Drum roll please!!! 🥁 Here are our first 5 National judges: Maritsa Platis, Miss U.S. International 2020 Brianna Burrell, Miss Alabama 2023 Piper Holt, Miss South Carolina Teen 2022 Nicolette Jennings, Miss Florida USA 2019 Sabrina Ramos, reigning Miss ECO USA Aren’t they incredible ?! So excited!!! #missultimateusa #ultimatelyyou #ultimateera #ultimatequeen

Miss Ultimate USA photo challenge, day 1… Smile! Because who wouldn’t, when Nationals are only 21 days away?!? Photo and HMUA @modelmavenspageantconsulting #missultimateusa #ultimatelyyou #ultimateera #morethanjustacrown