Hi, Mrs. Oklahoma!

Okay, I have to admit that the first time I heard “Hi, Mrs.Oklahoma” I caught myself looking around for MrsOklahoma. I wanted to say “hi” to her too. Head turning, looking both directions…where is she? Wait….MrsOklahoma is me!

The first time I heard Lauri say, “This is Heidi, Mrs. Oklahoma International”, as she was introducing me to sponsors, it brought tears to my eyes. Is that really me? Did I just hear her say my name in the same sentence as Mrs. Oklahoma International? It was surreal. 

It is such a true honor and blessing to hold this title. And, it is so much more than a title. It’s an opportunity to spread my message about Go Red for Women and the American Heart Association.It’s a chance to represent amazing women all over our great state that are doing great things in their home life, career, and community. It is SO MUCH more than a title.

It puts such a huge smile on my face and on my heart when I hear “Hi, Mrs. Oklahoma” or “Can I take a picture with you, Mrs.Oklahoma?” I love it! NOT because of the title, but, because I can turn around and put a smile on their face by saying “hello” back or by taking a picture with them. The fun part of having this title is being able to give back…to give back to others.

It’s taken a little time, but, I’m getting used to my “new name” and enjoying my year.  So, when you see me, feel free to say “Hi, Mrs.Oklahoma”! I guarantee I will say “HI” back and even stop and visit with you for awhile!J

And, do me a favor, don’t just say “hi” to me – I challenge you to say “hi” to a stranger on the street. You never know when a simple “hello” can make someone’s day and put a smile on their face! 

Mrs Oklahoma International 2010

Hi, I’m Heidi Ducato, Mrs Oklahoma International 2010. I am so honored and blessed to be this year’s titleholder. Amazement! Disbelief! These are just a few words that ran through my mind, because I was utterly speechless!

For lack of a better term, I was never a “pageant girl”. Meaning: I never grew up going down the path of participating in pageants during my teen and miss years. Now, don’t get me wrong, we had the token one that EVERY girl in your class does when you are a junior in high school to represent your town, but, other than that the only pageants I participated in were the ones I was sitting on the couch and watching on TV.

Now, that I’m married, I, for sure, figured that the pageant world had closed its door to me. That is, until I met Lauri, director of the Mrs. Oklahoma International Pageant. I think you are meant to cross paths with people in your life and Lauri is one of those people in mine.

I have been very involved with the Go Red for Women campaign through the American Heart Association for the last few years. I got involved because of my aunt who experienced a heart attack while I was with her. It’s a story for another blog, so you will have to stay tuned. But, I had no idea she was experiencing signs/symptoms of a heart attack. I had no idea that women experience different symptoms than men. Fortunately, she survived and she is still with us today. But, it was a day that I will never forget and watching her go through all of it inspired me to do something about it! I had to do something, so I started volunteering for Go Red for Women and the American Heart Association. I wanted to spread the message and create awareness of the signs/symptoms of women and heart attacks/heart disease.

I was at a Go Red event when I made the decision to join the International Pageant system and “see what happens”. I figured why wouldn’t I do this? It’s an opportunity to continue to spread my message, tell my story, and create more awareness. It was a no-brainer. I had to step out of my box and try something new. I had to try this pageant for myself to prove that I could do something that I’ve never done before, but, more importantly, as an opportunity to spread my message.

So, I did it! And, obviously, you all know the outcome, because here I am! I am telling you right now – I LOVE the International system. I may not know a lot about pageants, but, I know that this one is an amazing system that wants to highlight women that are doing great things, are family focused, have a story to tell, and want to help others. It’s about being beautiful on the inside, as well as the outside and are passionate about a cause.

Please follow me throughout my year, because I’m so thrilled to be where I am today – and I want all of you to share in it too!

Heidi