- I was that weird kid in Louisiana,
where I was collecting caterpillars,
making mud pudding.
I was just that girl that loved being strong.
I was very competitive with guys, since I was a kid
even in competing in field archery.
I remember there was this tournament in Germany.
I was against 13 other boys and I took first.
And there was actually a photo of me, if I can find it,
of me taking the podium.
And there's just a long line of boys just upset
that this girl had beat 'em.
My mom was a former Miss Taiwan in 1990.
So growing up even as a tomboy
I really admired my mother's closet
With the pearls, the stories, the heels.
But I did do one pageant when I was twelve.
I was kinda forced to do it.
It was Miss Pre-Teen Louisiana.
It was a wreck.
I pretty much froze on stage, I remember that.
And I remember being in front of hundreds of people.
Just there scared.
And I just couldn't utter one word.
And its been 10, 14 years later.
For some reason it popped back in my mind.
And I was like, "You know what?"
"I'm gonna try something new."
I competed last year, did really well, made top twelve.
But unfortunately I kinda almost fell onstage,
had a small skip.
Yeah, but I made it.
And easily then I could've easily just quit.
'Cause it was embarrassing, it was all on video.
That's kinda the reason why I did it
was to just be my own superhero.
Just prove people wrong.
And just show that if you put the hard work in,
hard work always beats talent.
Every single time.
(dramatic music)
- [Announcer] Your first runner up is Danielle Holladay.
(crowd cheers)
The new Mrs. Colorado, 2019,
is Rachel Preslar!
(crowd cheering)
- There is something I've adopted
over the last couple years, and I've kinda coined it.
It's called the wonder woman mentality,
or the wonder woman mindset.
I might write a book about it someday.
But essentially people always focus on their weaknesses.
Right, and they compare it to people's strengths.
And the message I want to share with other women
is be your own superhero.
Take what makes you strong, and just run with it.
And I feel like with winning this pageant,
and the impact I made with this community
will hopefully inspire others
that they can do anything they set their mind to.
It's overwhelming what I want to do in the future.
In terms of my military career, I actually have no idea.
I've just been in that mindset
of wherever the Air Force needs me I'll go.
That's the same mindset my father has.
I'm actually a personal trainer.
I have a online fitness company
that I help other men and women
with weight loss and muscle building.
Maybe start a podcast someday.
I'd love to write a book.
But in terms of my long term goals,
maybe the Olympics someday in archery.
But I try to keep it short 'cause my mind just goes crazy
if I think too far of the vast amount
of things I want to do.
So I take it one step at a time.
And for now it's Mrs. America.
(dramatic music)