8 minute read
Meet Miss USA Elle Smith
She is beautiful, well-spoken and could literally stop traffic with her beautiful curly locks and vivacious smile. She’s a woman on a mission, having pounded the pavement as a reporter for WHAS TV and marched down the runway on an international stage. She is Elle Smith, Miss USA 2021, and she is ready to take on the world! Elle fell in love with pageantry when she was 15 watching a friend navigate the process. “She was smart, beautiful, and involved in everything. She didn’t limit herself,” remarks Elle. “I wanted to be like that. I wanted to expand my interests–go explore the world. I also saw the opportunities that the Miss USA Organization provided her.” Growing up, her mother and family encouraged her to be well-rounded and explore opportunities. Elle became involved in a multitude of activities that would help prepare her for the journey. “My family always wanted me to be outside of the house, so they had me in every activity possible. I did volleyball, basketball, tennis, and swimming. I also did theater. I took those skills from theater to reporting, and then I took those communication skills from reporting to being Miss Kentucky USA to being Miss USA.”
Upon graduating with a degree in journalism from UK, Elle became a reporter for WHAS TV in Louisville. It was an adviser at UK who had encouraged Elle to pursue a path in journalism. “I don’t think you can really appreciate the role of a journalist until you’ve worked in a local market,” states Elle. “I will be forever grateful for my time at WHAS TV because they took a girl who was right out of college and put me in a top 50 market and trusted me even when I didn’t trust myself.” With those skills, Elle forged a path toward Miss Kentucky USA and Miss USA. She looked at each step of the process, watched and took notes. But in the end, she also wanted to enjoy the experience. “I walked in wanting to have fun. But I don’t think anything can prepare you for the nerves that will set in. I remember during prelims, right before I walked out for the first time on stage, I almost froze!” Overcoming a bit of stage fright, Elle would go on to win Miss KY USA on her very first try! Next up for her was the title of Miss USA. “I think the prep for Miss Kentucky USA is at a different level, but then the prep for Miss USA just takes it five times higher,” remarks Elle. Elle entered in the arena having prepared but also wanting to have a great time with the other amazing contestants who had become her friends. “I’d already met the contestants at a retreat at Nizuc Resort and Spa in Mexico a couple of months prior to Miss USA. So I knew the girls that I was competing against; it didn’t feel like a competition.” It may not have felt like a competition, but Elle brought her game
to the pageant with confidence. “So they called a top 15, and we went through swimsuit, evening gown, and then the top eight did the round table discussion and then, the final question. I’m going to be honest; I didn’t have time to think,” Elle remembers. “So they called my name, and you can see I was in complete shock!” After her blissful win, there was little time to reflect as Elle was immediately thrust into preparations for Miss Universe. “I flew to Houston the day after the pageant. Then that next day, I got on a flight to Israel.” Elle would then have to quarantine for 72 hours before joining the other contestants who had already been there for a week. “I was a little nervous, but, thankfully, everyone was really welcoming.” Elle and the other contestants would eventually round out their final competition at 2:00 a.m. in Israel so that it could be aired live here in the United States. “But, it was fun,” Elle laughs. “I got to meet Steve Harvey, so it was a good time. We had been awake all day, and I think I got my makeup done at midnight! Then we filmed from 2:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.”
Elle went on to advance to the top ten. Although she did not walk away with the title, she is excited about what the future holds as Miss USA 2021. “It was a winwin situation for me either way because being Miss USA is such a great honor. My reign has just started. I get to move to LA,” says Elle. “I’m going to have a year of endless opportunities!” Elle will not only spend her year focusing on networking in the entertainment world but also promoting the national partnership between Miss USA and organizations like Best Buddies and Smile Train. “I’ll also be working with the National Cervical Cancer Coalition to push out content to bring advocacy and education in regard to cervical cancer throughout my year.” Cervical cancer is an issue close to Elle as she lost her Grandmother to the disease in 2015.
Elle has already started creating change. Not too long after her year of service began, she had the opportunity to work with First Lady Brittany Beshear on the tornado relief efforts. “We went to Taylor County. It was the first time that I got to see the devastation in person. I saw endless amounts of pictures and videos, but to see it in person, I don’t think anything can prepare you for that. There, the perseverance, the strength, the resilience was so incredibly evident, but also the support that they’re going to need long term was also evident, as well.” Elle is excited about getting on the road to travel our nation. However, Kentucky will always be first place in her heart. “I’m proud to represent Kentucky on the national stage. I am Kentucky proud, through and through.” •
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Ask Abby Vaughn
GETTING THROUGH AN UNCOMFORTABLE MARKET?
HI ABBY: I like to check the stock market each morning when I’m having my coffee and lately that’s become an unenjoyable experience. I know the markets can rebound and have many times in the past, but it’s giving me a little heartburn as the numbers continue to drop. Do you have suggestions for getting through this uncomfortable market? —JUMPY JACK
HI JACK: If you are like me, that morning routine sets the tone for the day, so I get it! You are correct, so far, 2022 has been a challenging year for both high risk and conservative investors alike. The S&P 500 index has officially entered a “correction” and while uncomfortable, these drawdowns are indeed a normal part of market cycles. What is likely more unsettling to diversified investors, is that bonds have not provided the stability they are historically known for. We all saw interest rates hit generational lows in the pandemic, and now stubborn inflation pressures are causing the Federal Reserve to take a more aggressive stance on rate hikes. This Fed policy shift has sent short-term interest rates markedly higher and bond values, markedly lower.
This may feel like a “nowhere to hide” market and that can be a scary feeling. It’s important to remember though, that nothing moves in a straight line forever – neither up nor down. Seeing stocks and bonds trade into such negative territory at the same time is, historically, a rare event and likely not a new regime.
One of the ways to get through tough market cycles is to ensure you have proper liquidity planning for upcoming needs without being subject to price risk. In the interim, stick with high quality investments and remember that history tends to reward investors long term far more than they’re punished short term. And if you’re still feeling uneasy, remember, we’re here to help, so just give us a call. We can talk through it over a cup of coffee or tea!
—ABBY V.
Abby Vaughn, AIF® Business Development Director American Trust 859-514-3345 avaughn@americantrust.com
American Trust Wealth Management is headquartered in Lexington, KY and a legal duty of dedication and best practices, so that you can rest assured knowing that your goals will always be our goals.
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