A childhood of beauty pageants and a heart of gold led a Statesboro woman to an international title and the opportunity to represent Georgia and the United States while promoting volunteerism.
Angelique Harville stopped competing in beauty pageants when she married husband Matt Harville, but last year an acquaintance suggested she represent the state in the United Nation Pageant System, and already had a business looking to sponsor a candidate.
Since the pageant is based on community service (40 percent of the contestant’s score is derived from community service), Harville said “I thought this was absolutely fascinating.”
She sent in a “resume” of her volunteer work and found herself a Mrs. United Nation contestant. (The pageant is not associated with the United Nations in New York.)
“The big kicker for me is it’s not just about what you do on stage — it’s about what you do in your life,” she said.
Harville and her husband own a home-based graphics design company, but much of her spare time is dedicated to volunteering. She is involved in local diabetes education efforts, spends time with children in youth activities, and is active in fundraisers for autism.
She has been involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, held fundraisers for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and worked with the Georgia Southern University Family Life Center.
Since July, Harville has been busy with a whirlwind of activity revolving around her title. After being appointed as Georgia’s representative, she competed and won the national Mrs. United Nation title and went on to win the international title, competing against 13 others from around the world.
There had been a total of 17 contestants, including herself, but two contestants were not able to secure visas, she said.
“It was an eye-opener,” she said, referring to the differences between the USA and other countries and how easy it is to obtain a visa in the USA.
As Mrs. United Nation (the pageant also has divisions for teen, Miss, Ms. and Elite, which is over 50) Harville has had several opportunities, including volunteering at Special Olympics events, being Paula Deen’s guest at the Feed a Million Premier, working out at a Billy Blanks Tae-bo fundraiser for soldiers overseas, and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity building houses in New Orleans.
As Mrs. United Nation she has emceed several local beauty pageants and been guest speaker at a number of events, including the Out of Darkness walk, a fundraiser for suicide prevention, in Washington, DC and the Autism Speaks Walk in Disney Sports Emporium in Orlando, Fla.
A most recent trip was to Hollywood, where she participated in the “Super Model” magazines “100 Most Beautiful” super model event. Harville was also featured in the magazine’s July/August edition.
Halfway through her reign, Harville is still overwhelmed with the idea of representing Georgia on an international level.
“I was in total disbelief when they told me I had won,” she said. “The actual moment was quite shocking.
“I still can’t really find the words to say,” she said. “It’s overwhelming to know I have a title that represents the world.”
The opportunity has allowed her to spread the message that it’s easy and beneficial to volunteer.
“It doesn’t have to be a project you plan for months,” she said. “It can be a quick simple act ... open a door for someone or help someone who dropped their groceries.”
Harville will reign until July, when she will turn over her crown to the next Mrs. United Nation in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Harville is available to speak and appear in other events. For more information contact her at mrsunus@yahoo.com or access her web site at www.angeliqueharville.com.
More information about the United Nation pageant can be found at Web site www.unitednationpageants.com.
Angelique Harville stopped competing in beauty pageants when she married husband Matt Harville, but last year an acquaintance suggested she represent the state in the United Nation Pageant System, and already had a business looking to sponsor a candidate.
Since the pageant is based on community service (40 percent of the contestant’s score is derived from community service), Harville said “I thought this was absolutely fascinating.”
She sent in a “resume” of her volunteer work and found herself a Mrs. United Nation contestant. (The pageant is not associated with the United Nations in New York.)
“The big kicker for me is it’s not just about what you do on stage — it’s about what you do in your life,” she said.
Harville and her husband own a home-based graphics design company, but much of her spare time is dedicated to volunteering. She is involved in local diabetes education efforts, spends time with children in youth activities, and is active in fundraisers for autism.
She has been involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, held fundraisers for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and worked with the Georgia Southern University Family Life Center.
Since July, Harville has been busy with a whirlwind of activity revolving around her title. After being appointed as Georgia’s representative, she competed and won the national Mrs. United Nation title and went on to win the international title, competing against 13 others from around the world.
There had been a total of 17 contestants, including herself, but two contestants were not able to secure visas, she said.
“It was an eye-opener,” she said, referring to the differences between the USA and other countries and how easy it is to obtain a visa in the USA.
As Mrs. United Nation (the pageant also has divisions for teen, Miss, Ms. and Elite, which is over 50) Harville has had several opportunities, including volunteering at Special Olympics events, being Paula Deen’s guest at the Feed a Million Premier, working out at a Billy Blanks Tae-bo fundraiser for soldiers overseas, and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity building houses in New Orleans.
As Mrs. United Nation she has emceed several local beauty pageants and been guest speaker at a number of events, including the Out of Darkness walk, a fundraiser for suicide prevention, in Washington, DC and the Autism Speaks Walk in Disney Sports Emporium in Orlando, Fla.
A most recent trip was to Hollywood, where she participated in the “Super Model” magazines “100 Most Beautiful” super model event. Harville was also featured in the magazine’s July/August edition.
Halfway through her reign, Harville is still overwhelmed with the idea of representing Georgia on an international level.
“I was in total disbelief when they told me I had won,” she said. “The actual moment was quite shocking.
“I still can’t really find the words to say,” she said. “It’s overwhelming to know I have a title that represents the world.”
The opportunity has allowed her to spread the message that it’s easy and beneficial to volunteer.
“It doesn’t have to be a project you plan for months,” she said. “It can be a quick simple act ... open a door for someone or help someone who dropped their groceries.”
Harville will reign until July, when she will turn over her crown to the next Mrs. United Nation in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Harville is available to speak and appear in other events. For more information contact her at mrsunus@yahoo.com or access her web site at www.angeliqueharville.com.
More information about the United Nation pageant can be found at Web site www.unitednationpageants.com.