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Juliana Morehouse is Maine’s main lady for Miss USA 2023. Between family life, pursuing her
Master’s degree, and raising awareness on Alzheimer’s, the Portland resident leads a busy and inspiring life. Vents spoke with the dynamic young woman to learn more about her life, her reign as Miss Maine USA, and what makes her lobster-loving state such a special place.
First, right off the bat, we have to ask: are you a seafood lover? Cliché as it might sound, the idea of the lifestyle surrounding this sounds idyllic. If so, do you have a go-to recipe?
My favorite foods to eat in Maine are definitely mussels and clam chowder! Nothing beats breaking open those mussels in a cast iron skillet with a big piece of garlic toast. And, the best place to get a cup of clam chowder with some oyster crackers is the famous Becky’s Diner.
What do you wish more people would see and know about Maine, if they’re not already familiar? How do you experience your state?
I love Maine for its natural beauty and for its people. First, Maine is an especially gorgeous state. From Acadia National Park, to the lakes, to the rocky coastline, Maine is the perfect place to escape the daily grind and celebrate beauty. Second, the people in Maine are humble, proud of their state, and family-oriented. To me, Mainers make life simpler in the best way. My favorite day in Maine is one spent on the water accompanied by a fresh seafood dinner.
You are highly educated and pursuing further education. What value has your education brought to you thus far?
First, I want to say I feel incredibly privileged to be a woman born in the United States of America, who has access to education. There are so many women across the world who are discriminated against, and are unable to obtain an education. For me, my education has taught me how to think, and it has brought me community. I love to analyze the world around me through my writing and speaking, and I partially credit those analytical skills to my education. It has brought me community through the bonds I’ve formed with classmates and my professors. Some of my professors act as mentors for me, which is a great gift.
What inspired you to pursue competing for Miss USA?
Being Miss Maine USA is a goal I have been working towards since I was about 15 years old. My mom was my initial inspiration for jumping into the pageant world because she was Miss North Carolina USA in 1994 and went on to place second runner up at Miss USA. Being Miss North Carolina USA transformed her life. It launched her career in television news; it catapulted her into the National Speakers Association; and it provided her with a vast network of successful women. From an early age, I decided I wanted to have those same opportunities as my mom. I competed in my first pageant at age 16. I placed third runner up, and from then I was hooked. Not only was I mesmerized by the glamor of the pageant world, but I was intrigued by the significant personal growth that comes with preparing for the competition.
What does it mean to you to have won Miss Maine USA?
I hope my impact on the state of Maine has many layers to it. First, I want to raise as much awareness around Alzheimer’s Disease as I can. This disease wreaks havoc on Mainers’ lives, and I want to help relieve them of their pain. Second, I hope to reach as many young people as possible. From social media to the idolization of fame, it can be really hard to be a young person in today’s world. I want to remind each of them of their purpose and their power to have impact. Third, I hope to be a servant to everyone I meet. There is this misconception that when in a position of leadership you must be superior to the people around you, when you should actually take on a selfless disposition to serve them. And lastly, I hope my impact will reach beyond Maine. I envision reaching throughout the United States, while wearing Maine across my chest and representing its wonderful people.
There must be a lot of preparation for contestants. How do you prepare?
From my perspective, the most challenging AND the most important part of the competition is the mental part. Throughout my years competing, that was one of the biggest hurdles I had to jump over. No matter how much preparation you do in all the other categories, you will not maximize your full potential if you do not have a strong mindset. It can be especially challenging to have a strong mindset today because of social media. Your fellow competitors are blasted all over the internet right in front of your eyes, and it can be easy to get caught up in comparing yourself to the other contestants. What made this year different for me was that I found a way to block out the noise. I knew I was fully prepared and that my performance was the only part of the competition in my control. I couldn’t control who my competition was nor who my judging panel was. Choosing to only focus on what I could control set me free, and I think that is a big reason why I won.
When did you join the fight against Alzheimer’s? What inspired that mission?
I am passionate about finding a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease because it has impacted me personally. When I was a child, my grandmother and my aunt had Alzheimer’s Disease at the same time and lived in my home while they were sick. I saw not only how it impacted them as victims of the disease, but also what a toll it took on my mom and grandfather as their caregivers. I want other people to understand that Alzheimer’s Disease is not just forgetfulness. But rather, it is an aggressive, traumatizing disease. We have so much wisdom to gain from the older generation, and I want this disease to stop robbing us of this opportunity.
Who or what is your biggest inspiration in life?
I am privileged to have parents who have both had profound impacts on my life, but I am going to talk about my father in this instance. My dad is a successful small business owner and much of what he learned in building his business has been applicable to me as I pursued becoming Miss Maine USA. Specifically, he taught me that you have to be ready to jump over hurdles, and you do not have to approach your goal the same way everyone else would. When my dad was first building his business in the wholesale heating and air conditioning industry, his store burned to the ground. Many people in his position would have given up, but he took it as a redirection and he kept building his business. He jumped over that hurdle. Additionally, he never formulated his business plan to match others in his industry. Instead, he created a plan that he found was most effective and that has been a key ingredient to his success. Now others in his industry are copying his methods.
How do you feel knowing you’ll be the first married woman to compete in Miss USA?
I feel excited to be a part of this change because this shows our society that the modern woman is multifaceted. She can be married AND ambitious. There is no other job a married woman cannot do because of her marital status, so it makes sense that Miss USA is now allowed to be married. It is possible to still be youthful while also being in a loving marriage.
