Positively Empowered
USA National Miss is an award winning national pageant organization that exists to enrich the lives of young women through a life changing pageant program that provides scholarship opportunities, mentorship, confidence building and life-long skills. Since 2010, USA National Miss has been changing the lives of young women all across America. We award an incredible prize package and cash scholarships yearly to further the education and career aspirations of young women nationwide. We equip young women with extraordinary experiences that create opportunities for success and growth. We offer one of the highest quality pageant programs in the country, and are consistently recognized as an industry leader. USA National Miss is one of the largest and most prestigious national pageant systems in the country.
OUR SLOGAN
Our slogan, Positively Empowered, aims to help young women be purposely bold, courageously just, and freely themselves.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Our philosophy, Positive Pageantry, is a movement we created to build a better community within the pageant industry.
OUR PHILANTHROPY
Our national platform is INSPIRE. Through INSPIRE, we inspire young women to find their passion for volunteer service, and impact their communities.
OUR CROWN
The 5 points of the USA National Miss national crown symbolize the 5 attributes described in Colossians 3:12: "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
National Directors
Ginger Canale
Director - National Queen /Titleholder Development & Recruitment
Ginger is a graduate of the Medical College of Georgia with more than 30 years of healthcare experience and is the founder and CEO of HIM Quality Solutions, Inc. Her extensive leadership experience includes event planning, sponsorship development, and professional organizations. She is passionate about mentoring and empowering young women through pageantry, community service, and leadership. Ginger considers it an incredible privilege to serve the USA National Miss family and looks forward to continuing a legacy centered on sisterhood, service, leadership, and positive pageantry.
"Pageantry is about far more than a crown. It should build confidence, create lasting friendships, encourage service, and provide experiences and skills young women will carry with them long after they leave the stage." - Ginger Canale
Niki Bennett
Director - Operations, Partnerships & Recruitment
Niki is an accomplished business owner and pageant industry professional with extensive experience in leadership and personal development. Her journey in the industry began at a young age when she was signed with one of Chicago’s most prestigious modeling agencies, giving her an early foundation in modeling, confidence, and personal presentation. Today, she owns and operates several successful businesses and has served as a state director, pageant judge, and backstage operations manager for numerous productions. With a passion for personal development and empowering others, Niki is honored to use her experience to unite, uplift, serve, and help girls and women become the very best versions of themselves.
"The only person we are competing with is ourselves." - Niki Bennett
National Team
Regional Directors
Darrell Williams
GA South Regional Director
Darrell graduated Cum Laude from Valdosta State University with dual degrees in Telecommunications and Elementary Education, as well as a Master’s degree in Education. He currently serves as the Preschool Special Education Coordinator for the Coffee County School System in Douglas, Georgia, and is a former Teacher of the Year. With more than 40 years of experience in the pageant industry, Darrell has been involved in all aspects of pageantry throughout the southern United States. He is the Executive Director of the Miss GA South Pageant, assists with contestant recruitment for Miss Georgia USA and Miss Georgia Teen USA, and previously served as Executive Director of the Miss Virginia USA and Miss Virginia Teen USA Pageants. Outside of pageantry and education, Darrell enjoys traveling, shopping, interior design, and trips to the beach.
Heather Lewis
Southwest Regional Director
Heather Lewis is honored to serve as the new Director of the USA National Miss Texas Regional Pageant, bringing more than 15 years of experience as a state director, choreographer, judge, mentor, and pageant mom. With a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, 10 years of teaching experience, and extensive training in ballet, ballroom dance, and performing arts, Heather is passionate about helping young women develop confidence, communication skills, and stage presence. Her pageant journey began alongside her daughter, Sophie, in 2008, giving her firsthand appreciation for the friendships, personal growth, leadership, and service opportunities pageantry provides. Her family’s experience with USA National Miss, including Sophie being crowned the 2021 Miss Lone Star State, has further strengthened her commitment to creating a positive and meaningful pageant experience. As Director, Heather looks forward to building an uplifting Texas Regional program where every contestant feels seen, supported, celebrated, and empowered to recognize her unique strengths.