HUNTERSVILLE — This year’s Miss All American Pageant begins Wednesday, and the Diocese of Charlotte is rooting for a familiar face: our very own Miss Huntersville, Deanna Glenn.
The four-day national pageant, taking place in Charleston, South Carolina, has a mission of empowering young women and making a positive impact.
“I just want to use this pageant to bring glory to God,” Glenn said. “I am open to trying to connect to people even if that means failing. Through all this, I have a newfound confidence, and I am happy to be a part of it and be able to represent whoever I can.”
The $10,000 grand prize includes an all-expense-paid trip to Paris and is not solely based on appearances but on personality, communication, and sportsmanship - and Glenn certainly makes the grade. The 28-year-old does have the looks to match her talent, fashion and prayer life. When she is not teaching music, you can find her in the church.
The active 28-year-old is a regular at several churches in the Charlotte area: singing at St. Therese Church in Mooresville, attending Mass with her long-term boyfriend at St. Mark in Huntersville, and visiting her parents’ church of St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte while remaining an active participant in Campus Ministry.
Many remember Glenn for her Miss America days, when she entered as Miss Huntersville, and though never making it to the national spotlight, she was recognized as Miss Congeniality, within the local division.
Her pro-life platform then and now has highlighted her work with Catholic organizations such as Mira Via and Birthright of Charlotte and has led to motivational speeches like the one she delivered at the local March for Life in Charlotte.
“To be able to spread the message to anyone who needs to hear it is a blessing. People will know there is hope and there are people out there willing to help them,” she said. “Maybe years down the line they may find themselves pregnant, and they can remember what I said and see if the resources presented are still around. And, hopefully, through it all a life will be saved.”
Glenn is a team player for Catholic Sports, winning the first volleyball championship the organization hosted. And she recently started to host “Family Feud" at St. Thomas Aquinas.
— Lisa Geraci