Latisha Moening: Mother, student, wife, and Mrs. Lakeville 2013
Students at Dakota County Technical College take on more than just classes and homework assignments. According to the 2011–2012 Student Survey, almost 80 percent of DCTC students are employed. Seventeen percent are involved in student clubs, organizations or athletics. But only one out of 2,340 students at DCTC is involved in pageantry.
Latisha Moening, 28, of Lakeville, Minn., has been selected to serve as Mrs. Lakeville 2013. She will also go on to compete in the Mrs. Minnesota International Pageant on March 16 and 17, 2013, in St. Cloud, Minn. “I’ve never done anything like this before in my life,” she said.
Latisha and her family moved to Lakeville three years ago, hoping for new jobs, different opportunities and a better life. Her website describes 2012 as a “whirlwind of changes.” In one short year, she went from being a Zumba instructor and freelance photographer to a full-time student with pageant responsibilities.
Latisha explained that the pageant is far more than the stereotypical tall, beautiful woman strutting around in her swimsuit. “Beauty is only one piece that the pageant contestants are judged on,” she said. The competition also includes the exhibition of overall poise, personality, and intelligence.
“The Mrs. Minnesota International Pageant actually expects you to be human,” she said. “They don’t expect you to be size 0, they want you to look good and take care of yourself.” Twenty-five percent of the overall points are based on an evening gown portion, 25 percent on fitness, and 50 percent on interviews.
To fulfill her duties as Mrs. Lakeville 2013, Latisha must also stay very active with volunteering and reaching out into the community. She explained, “You can’t represent if you don’t put the work in.”
The Mrs. Lakeville application required each candidate to choose a platform, or focus, for her volunteering campaign. It was easy for Latisha: bullying. She talks openly with elementary school girls and Girl Scouts about the seven years she was intensely bullied when she was younger. “I made it through and I want these kids to see that.”
Latisha has always had a passion for volunteering, but her newfound title has opened doors. “I’ve always wanted to do more volunteering so this is helping me get to where I’ need to go,” she said. “Also, girls tend to relate to me more with the shiny crown.”
Latisha recalls an activity she led with 30–40 students in kindergarten through 9th grade. She had each of them take a sheet of paper and write one word or saying that had been said to them that hurt their feelings. “I couldn’t believe how many of those girls were called fat.” She took a picture of the responses and posted the image to her Facebook with the title Bullying is an Epidemic. “Every single one of them had something nasty said to them and half of them were in second grade,” she said. “That really bothers me.”
Aside from visiting schools, Latisha has been involved in several other volunteer opportunities, such as: Feed My Starving Children; Pacer’s Run, Walk, Roll Against Bullying; awards announcer for Special Olympics Minnesota; and Peers 4 Peers guest speaker. “This was my chance to volunteer and it happened at the right time.”
Latisha received her official banner during a special presentation in the lobby of Lakeville City Hall on Nov. 19, 2012, but the pace won’t slow down.
The entire experience has helped Latisha in other ways. “The pageant has been a good way to boost my self-esteem through all of the public speaking,” she said. “By the end of next year I feel like I’m going to be a different person.”
Pageantry is also leading her on a career path toward family social science. “I enjoy the volunteering because I’ve always wanted to help people,” she said. Her friends’ work in homeless shelters and in social work intrigues her. “I feel like that’s the direction my career is pulling me.”
After graduating from DCTC, Latisha plans to continue her education at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. “Everyone I’ve ever known that has gone back to school has been happier because they found what they’ve really wanted,” she said. “It’s also showing my kids that it’s okay to try something new.”
Trying something new, like the pageant and school, is something that Latisha credits to her husband. “He is the reason I’m able to do school and the pageant,” she said. “This has been an experience of a lifetime because not many women get the opportunity to step onto that stage.”
Follow Latisha Moening throughout her reign as Mrs. Lakeville 2013 on Facebook or her website.
Photos courtesy of Ullyott Photography
Latisha is one of the most driven, sincere, and compassionate people I know. There are great things in store for her!