Meet Andromeda Peters: Miss Maryland United States 2016

We love chatting with beauty queens here at Lady Code because each one has a compelling story that motivates and empowers women. Today we caught up with Andromeda Peters, Miss Maryland United States 2016, Co-founder of non-profit APPLY, model, and creator of Be Your Best Self blog.

Quick facts…

Hometown: I moved around so much growing up and never stayed in one place for very long. I lived in New York briefly, Western Maryland for most of my childhood, I got to live in Vermont for a summer, and I have also lived in different cities here in Maryland.

Current City: Annapolis, MD

Hobbies: Singing, hiking, learning new recipes, writing, traveling, and dancing

Favorite food: I love sushi. I can have it everyday. I also enjoy all things breakfast!

Favorite movie: The Sound of Music

Three words that sum you up: Funny, adventurous, motivated

Song you have on repeat right now: “Could You Loved”-Bob Marley. I’m always in the mood for reggae.

Dream job: Working in entertainment: modeling, acting, singing. I also want to start my own business one day providing healthy beauty and skin products.

Beauty product you can’t live without: A good lip liner. When used with a matte lip color it makes my lips more full. And who doesn’t love a bold lip?!

Favorite quote: “The world is your oyster, so make your ambitions endless”. My dad has been telling me this since I was a little girl, and he still tells me this all the time!

 

You are one of the busiest titleholders I have ever met! What is a typical day like for you? 

My days always look different, depending on what I have going on, but I’m a morning person, so I’m up super early. I start my day off meditating, and then having a cup of hot lemon water. Then I prepare my meals and snacks  for the day and always make sure I have energizing and nutritious food or a power smoothie. I am usually going to different appearances, volunteer events, shoots, going to work, or meeting with the girls and families of my non-profit which is always so fun. I then like to spend the latter part of my afternoon doing some kind of work out, whether it’s going to a yoga or barre class or working out with my trainer. Then I spend my evenings with my loved ones, cooking a nice dinner, relaxing, and working on some writing. I always try to do something random and fun just to keep things exciting like go-kart racing or laser-tagging.

What has been the highlight of being Miss Maryland so far? 

It has been my dream for so long to represent my state and it feels surreal. I  love being able to expand my service work by collaborating with other charitable organizations and getting to interact with more and more people of my amazing state on a regular basis. That’s what keeps me going!

What are some of your best beauty secrets to looking flawless all the time?

I’m a health nut and know that when I am taking care of my body, it shows. I drinks lots of water and always make sure that I get a good amount of sleep every night. When I’m hydrated and well-rested, I definitely notice a difference!

 

Growing up, who was your inspiration? 

My grandmother, and she still is. I remember always watching my grandmother get ready for her day. She is always so classy, and lady like. Her hair was always curled perfectly, and her outfits, even causal wear were well put together. It consisted of a nice blouse, well-pressed slacks, or skirt of a nice fabric. She would accessorize with beautiful pearls, leather hand bags, and a nice lip color. That’s why I can embrace a style of my own. She taught me to love being a confident woman and to love fashion.

 

Lady Code has a focus on anti-bullying and women empowerment. Do you have any advice for our readers who may be victims of bullying?

I think almost everyone can recall times in their lives when they were made to feel disempowered. Growing up having two moms and being a different nationality from most of the kids in my community, I was not always welcomed. Yet I learned at an early age to appreciate being different. As I grew up, I practiced self-love and now I appreciate me for being me. In doing so, you learn that no one has the power to make you feel like you are not worth it! I encourage the girls of my non-profit and children I visit in schools to love themselves and to tell themselves that they love themselves everyday. I even have them say it loud over and over again. You can never love yourself or others too much.

 

Tell us about your platform:

I co-founded my non-profit called A.P.P.L.Y. with my mentor which is the acronym for A Pageant Place Leading Youth. We provide funding and mentorship to girls and women who want to compete in pageants who do not have the financial resources to do so. We get our queens involved in community service work, teach them about leading healthy lifestyle, work on their confidence and speaking skills, and encourage them to compete in the United States National Pageant System. We have funded  Mrs., Jr. Teen, Teen, and Little Miss contestants, we have some queens who will compete at Miss DC United States in June, and we have had two wins so far. As of now, one of our queens will be going to Las Vegas with me, and she will compete at Miss Jr. Teen United States which is exciting! I also have my own blog entitled Be Your Best Self which shares my passion for promoting healthy living and self-love.

 

What can Lady Code readers do in their communities to get involved? 

Social media has been the best resource to get me connected with more organizations. People are always posting about needing volunteers for special events, and sometimes just a simple Facebook or Twitter post asking for specific community involvement can you get so many opportunities!

 

In your free time, what do you enjoy doing?

Going away to the ocean. I love to sing, to spend time outdoors, going hiking and traveling. I love going to new restaurants, the occasional shopping trip, working on my blog, reading, and spending time with my friends and family.

 

What is your go-to makeup look?

I have really big eyes and love playing with a nice smoky eye. You can enhance and decrease the drama  based on of the occasion. I also love a cat-eye with lashes and a bold red lip.

What is one thing you can’t live without?

Laughter! I love enjoying life and don’t take life too seriously. I like watching funny movies, going to comedy shows, and I love doing improv. Laughter is the best medicine.

What is the hardest part about competing in pageants?

For me it would be planning wardrobe! Pageants are fun, and it’s a great way to express your personal style, but I can spend so much time trying to narrow down what I’m going to pack and wear. It’s like you don’t want to over pack, but at the same time, you can never be too prepared!

What is the best part about competing in pageants?

I grew up on stage so I love being up on stage expressing myself. It’s so fun, but I also enjoy the interview process and being able to share my personality and passions with the judges.

 

What is the best advice you have ever received? 

“You never know, unless you try.” I’m ambitious and never want to ask myself “what if”. I’m going after everything that I’m passionate about whole-heartedly and encouraging others to do the same! We are all capable of making our dreams come true, and that’s what I try to remind people.

 

Keep up with Andromeda:

Twitter: @ItsAndromedaP

Instagram: @andromedapeters and @missmdus2016

Facebook Fan Page: Miss Maryland United States 2016-Andromeda Peters

To learn more about the Miss United States pageant, visit http://www.unitedstatesnationalpageants.com/ 

Please contact us if you have an empowering story to share: contactladycode@gmail.com