Crowned Miss Maine 2023, Juliana Morehouse is a twenty-something old soul, writer and philanthropist who will serve the state of Maine this year. Her intelligence, passion, and drive make her an ideal role model for young women across the state of Maine and beyond. She is a leader and an advocate for change and progress. Juliana is currently a Community Educator and writer for The Alzheimer’s Association. She travels across Maine to host presentations and share information and resources about the disease. She also helps to plan events such as walks and charity bowling tournaments. Juliana's crowning is a clear representation of how far Maine has come in terms of inclusivity and acceptance. Her grace, poise, and dedication to the cause of finding a cure for Alzheimer's make her a perfect choice to represent Maine in the Miss USA Pageant. Continue reading to find out more about her work and learn how she plans to use her platform as Miss Maine to reach a larger audience and bring about change in the fight to end Alzheimer's. We are sure that she will make Maine proud!

You have recently been crowned Miss Maine 2023, Congratulations! What inspired you to compete in pageants?
Being Miss Maine USA is a goal I have been working towards since I was about 15 years old. My mom was my initial inspiration for jumping into the pageant world because she was Miss North Carolina USA in 1994 and went on to place second runner up at Miss USA. Being Miss North Carolina USA transformed her life. It launched her career in television news; it catapulted her into the National Speakers Association; and it provided her with a vast network of successful women. From an early age, I decided I wanted to have those same opportunities as my mom. I competed in my first pageant at age 16. I placed third runner up, and from then I was hooked. Not only was I mesmerized by the glamor of the pageant world, but I was intrigued by the significant personal growth that comes with preparing for the competition.

What was the most challenging part of the competition?
From my perspective, the most challenging AND the most important part of the competition is the mental part. Throughout my years competing, that was one of the biggest hurdles I had to jump over. No matter how much preparation you do in all the other categories, you will not maximize your full potential if you do not have a strong mindset. It can be especially challenging to have a strong mindset today because of social media. Your fellow competitors are blasted all over the internet right in front of your eyes, and it can be easy to get caught up in comparing yourself to the other contestants. What made this year different for me was that I found a way to block out the noise. I knew I was fully prepared and that my performance was the only part of the competition in my control. I couldn’t control who my competition was nor who my judging panel was. Choosing to only focus on what I could control set me free, and I think that is a big reason why I won.

What advice would you give to young women interested in competing in pageants?
I would tell them that competing in pageants can be incredibly advantageous to personal growth. Pageants are a microcosm of the real world, so they teach you about what it means to pursue a goal. You learn how to compete, how to be “on,” how to fail gracefully, and how to win humbly. The other wonderful part of pageants is the vast network to which you gain access. The pageant world may seem large, but in reality, it becomes very small. I have fostered incredible personal and professional relationships from my years competing in pageants. Choosing to enter pageants launches you into this elite group of women who propel you to become better than you ever could have imagined.

How have you been spending your time since winning the title?
Since winning the title I have had some remarkable opportunities, but I am only just getting started. I have walked in a fashion show, done multiple photoshoots, ridden in a parade, appeared at a Boston Celtics game, worked a women’s empowerment fundraiser, attended other Miss USA state pageants, been a special guest at Boston Fashion Week, volunteered with Best Buddies, continued my work educating my community about Alzheimer’s Disease, and spoken to groups of young people about what it means to live an impactful and purposeful life. Looking forward, I am heading to Washington, DC to meet with our country’s lawmakers to advocate for more funding for Alzheimer’s Research. I will also be modeling for a major brand, Jovani, at the Atlanta Apparel Market in August. I have many more events on the calendar with the Alzheimer’s Association and I continue to plan speaking engagements.

What lasting impact do you hope to have on the state of Maine?
I hope my impact on the state of Maine has many layers to it. First, I want to raise as much awareness around Alzheimer’s Disease that I can. This disease wreaks havoc on Mainers’ lives, and I want to help relieve them of their pain. Second, I hope to reach as many young people as possible. From social media to the idolization of fame, it can be really hard to be a young person in today’s world. I want to remind each of them of their purpose and their power to have impact. Third, I hope to be a servant to everyone I meet. There is this misconception that when in a position of leadership, you must be superior to the people around you, when you should actually take on a selfless disposition to serve them. And lastly, I hope my impact will reach beyond Maine. I envision reaching throughout the United States, while wearing Maine across my chest and representing its wonderful people.

You recently launched Journals of Juliana, where you reflect on modern culture. What do you want your readers to take away from your writing?
I hope my readers see a different perspective on the world. So much of our culture today tells us that we have to think and be a certain way, and I like to look at life through a different lens. On the one hand, I see life romantically. I want to illustrate beauty through my writing. Whether it is the beauty of God, a realized dream, a special relationship, or spectacular scenery, I believe it is important to appreciate beauty. On the other hand, I hope to be a voice of reason. Many people don’t think critically or analytically anymore, and I want to restore deep thought to our culture.

You work closely with the Alzheimer’s Association. We are sorry to hear about your grandmother. Can you tell us a little bit about your personal experience with Alzheimer’s?
I am passionate about finding a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease because it has impacted me personally. When I was a child, my grandmother and my aunt had Alzheimer’s Disease at the same time and lived in my home while they were sick. I saw not only how it impacted them as victims of the disease, but also what a toll it took on my mom and grandfather as their caregivers. My aunt was only in her late 40s when diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, and it was especially tragic to watch her and my grandmother experience it alongside each other.

Can you tell us a bit about your work with the Alzheimers Association? Do you have any favorite events you have done with them?
I am a Community Educator for the Alzheimer’s Association, which means I deliver educational programs to people in my community. I share my connection to Alzheimer’s disease; I explain what Alzheimer’s is; and I share how to prevent it. I have presented to community groups, assisted living facilities, and college students. Interestingly, I traveled to a prison in Bangor, Maine where I had the opportunity to meet with prisoners who served as caregivers to other prisoners with Dementia-like symptoms. Looking forward, I am heading to Capitol Hill to meet with Maine’s members of congress to advocate for more funding for Alzheimer’s research.

What do you believe are some of the most pressing issues that need to be addressed in the Alzheimers disease community?
The biggest issue the Alzheimer’s community is facing right now is that Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) will not provide coverage for new FDA approved Alzheimer’s drugs. Congress and the Biden Administration need to push for this to change so that Alzheimer’s patients and their families can have access to treatment. Secondly, another issue facing the Alzheimer’s community is the stigma. There is this false idea that developing dementia just coincides with getting older, which is not true. Developing Alzheimer’s Disease is NOT a normal part of aging. It is possible to have a healthy brain and a sharp mind as you age if you do not get Alzheimer’s Disease.

What do you think can be done to reduce the stigma and fear that often accompany Alzheimer’s disease?
One of the biggest misconceptions I hear about Alzheimer’s disease is that it is just “forgetfulness.” It is an all-encompassing brain disease that slowly kills your brain cells, affecting all facets of your daily life. There is this idea that all older people forget everything when they reach a certain age, which is not the case. If not plagued by dementia, the older generation has much wisdom to offer us.

What hopes do you have for the future of Alzheimer’s disease awareness and research?
I hope that through raising awareness around Alzheimer’s disease we can provide more support for Alzheimer’s caregivers. It is an incredibly taxing role, and they deserve recognition. Additionally, I hope we can make significant progress in developing safe, effective treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease.

What advice would you give to someone with a loved one with Alzheimer’s?
My advice to someone caring for an Alzheimer’s patient is to hold onto the memory of who they were before the disease, and to find ways to laugh. If you have ever known an Alzheimer’s victim, you know that they are apt to do some pretty random, funny things. And in those moments, you have to choose to laugh…even when you may feel like crying.

It has been a rough few years. How have you been staying positive?
The covid pandemic broke out when I was a junior in college. From March of my junior year to the end of my college career, I never had another sorority event nor did I have an in-person class. I found the pandemic to be incredibly lonely, and it taught me how to propel myself forward. For me, staying positive meant utilizing our technology to keep in touch with my loved ones, getting outside as much as possible, and continuing to pursue outlets I am passionate about. When you stay connected in your relationships, take care of yourself, and use your gifts, it keeps you purposeful.

What is your motto in life?
My motto comes from the great C.S. Lewis. He said: “Humility isn’t thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.” This is one of my favorite quotes because I have found that humility is one of the key ingredients to having influence. Effective leaders are not ego-centric or condescending; rather, they are humble and uplifting. This quote also explains that being focused on helping others does not mean having low self-esteem. It is possible to take care of yourself and live a life of service.

To learn more about Juliana, please follow her via the links below:
Instagram: @julianamorehouse, @missmeusa, and @journalsofjuliana

Photos courtesy Juliana Morehouse.

Juliana Morehouse - Making Memories Last