Alissa Morrison '13 is used to being in the spotlight.
As a St. Ambrose student, Morrison competed in the Miss Iowa USA pageant multiple times. However, the spotlight is shining a little brighter now. The Davenport woman was crowned Miss Iowa USA 2016 in early October. In June, she appeared on national television while competing for the title of Miss USA 2016.
'It is at St. Ambrose where I first learned that I had the power within myself to manifest my dreams.'
-Miss Iowa 2016,
Alissa Morrison '13
She gave some thoughtful answers to some questions from her alma mater:
Q: After finishing as the first runner-up in last year's Miss Iowa USA competition, how did it feel to be crowned this Miss Iowa USA 2016?
A: I think there's always a certain sense of accomplishment, knowing that you brought your absolute best to the table. But there's also this desire to set the bar even higher, as with anyone who chooses to dream big. This was actually my fifth consecutive year competing for the title of Miss Iowa USA. Each year, I held myself to a higher standard and put my heart and soul into competition, and I believe that, because of this, I continued to place higher every year.
Hearing my name called and having the Miss Iowa USA crown placed on my head was a roller coaster of emotions: validation that my hard work had finally paid off; gratefulness for all of the support I'd received over the years; disbelief that my dream was finally coming true. It was a feeling unlike any other.
Q: You also competed in the state pageant while at St. Ambrose, how were you able to balance education with pageant activities?
A: My first year at St. Ambrose was also my first year competing for Miss Iowa USA. One of the most wonderful things about competing for a state title is that it's your prerogative how much time you want to put into preparation. My education was always my first priority, and competing came second. So, while there's certainly a balancing act necessary to be able to accomplish both endeavors while aiming to succeed at both, I always knew where my priorities were.
Q: Did your education at St. Ambrose help you at all on your journey to becoming Miss Iowa USA? If so, how?
A: My education at St. Ambrose was fairly short. I transferred to SAU my junior year of college after completing my associates degree at Scott Community College. In my time there, though, I met some of the most genuine, interested, and uplifting professors who I can honestly say have positively impacted my life.
It is at St. Ambrose where I first learned that I had the power within myself to manifest my dreams. My professors, both directly and indirectly, encouraged me to continue to build upon my dreams and to create a grand vision for my life.
Q: What are you most looking forward to doing as Miss Iowa USA?
A: There are so many opportunities granted to state titleholders, it's impossible to choose just one. Just within the next few weeks, I will be attending several impactful Iowa events, including the Polk County Adoption Saturday, which is a nationwide celebration for thousands of families and children in foster care to finalize their adoptions on the same day or weekend.
I'm also really looking forward to attending the Ronald McDonald House of Central Iowa's 16th Annual Red Tie Gala this November. These are just the tip of the iceberg, though. My goal is to make at least 100 appearances during my year as Miss Iowa USA 2016.
Competing at the national level for the title of Miss USA will be another thing altogether. I have no idea what to expect at this point, but I am so excited to represent my gorgeous home state.
Q: What are some things that have you learned from being involved with pageants?
A: I think the word "pageant" conjures up so many negative connotations, and I think one of the most poignant lessons I've learned from competing is not to cast judgment based upon exterior characteristics or qualities. I have met some of the most intelligent, witty, sincere, and kind young women competing at Miss Iowa USA, and they have become some of my best friends. When you put a bunch of passionate, strong, hard-working women in a group, we don't tear each other down. Instead, we rise up, encourage each other, and thrive.
Q: What advice would you offer to someone considering St. Ambrose?
A: My advice is fairly simple: Go where you feel you will succeed. I think smaller universities, such as St. Ambrose, have a unique community-feel to them, which made perfect sense for me. I wanted to be somewhere that I felt my opinions and education really mattered to those who were teaching me. At St. Ambrose, I wasn't just a number in a sea of students. This set-up was ideal, in that I felt comfortable coming to my professors without hesitation, knowing that they were invested in my ability to succeed.
Q: What are your plans for the future? How do you intend to use your marketing degree?
A: Before winning Miss Iowa USA, I was in the process of opening a women's clothing and accessory boutique in the Quad Cities. I still fully intend to do this in the future, but it's likely that I will be too busy this year to devote enough time and energy into becoming an entrepreneur.
My ultimate plan is to eventually franchise the boutique, and develop my own lifestyle brand, culminating in an uber-successful business empire. I've always had big dreams for myself, and competing for Miss Iowa USA has enabled me to make so many valuable connections, that it's only going to help me in my future plans.
Q: What's something about you that would surprise people?
A: I'm a huge adrenaline-junkie! I grew up as the youngest and only girl in a family comprised mainly of boys, and I had to learn to hang at a young age. I love pushing the envelope and aim to force myself outside of my comfort zone, so that I can continue to grow every day. My favorite hobbies include skydiving, riding motorcycles, and traveling.
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