Shamone Garcia, Ms. Plus America Elite 2023 is a plus-sized model, business owner, model coach, and distinguished pageant queen. She resides in the home of the original “Fighting Gamecock,” Sumter, South Carolina. Shamone began her pageantry journey, which is her passion, during the pandemic while working as a Probation Officer within the Criminal Justice System.
In her formative years, Shamone was challenged by society’s stereotypes because she was “different,” both physically and mentally. She was told that having a learning disability, she would not graduate high school.
Despite the odds and negativity, Shamone not only graduated high school but she’s also a doctoral student. Shamone has received several awards from The University of South Carolina, including the Blue Star Academia Award from her sorority, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated. She graduated with honors from South University, earning her master’s degree. As a new delegate in the pageant world, she increased her confidence in herself by becoming Ms. Sumter and advancing to become Ms. South Carolina Plus America 2023. A few interesting facts about Shamone are that she fosters “sisterhood” and teamwork. Shamone loves to play video games with her team on the Xbox Gaming System. Her favorite games are Halo and Destiny, which involve coordination with your fire team. Another fact is that she loves local dirt track racing. Shamone comes from a line of strong women, such as her maternal grandmother, who was an inspiration to her.
She honored her grandmother by dedicating this pageant year to her because of her sudden passing. Shamone’s platform is “Breaking Barriers” through personal development. “Breaking Barriers” is a hallmark of her life that has translated to pageantry. Her platform has afforded her the opportunity to encourage people to break their barriers by not allowing society to determine self-worth and never accepting “NO” for an answer. Shamone advocates for everyone to break their barriers by ensuring opportunities are shared with her community and assuring that the proper supports and services are available for their future success. For Shamone, volunteering, and community service go hand in hand with her platform. She can be found giving back to the community locally and throughout her state. Shamone’s personality, passion, and energy cause everyone to feel like they are a “winner” even without a crown.
Name: Shamone Garcia, Ms Plus America Elite
How much does family play a part of your vision or dream field? My family holds a special place in my heart and is the cornerstone of my life. They are my constant source of strength, love, and support. Whether I’m facing challenges or celebrating successes, my family is always there for me. I am truly blessed to have such an amazing group of people who believe in me and my vision for the future. Their unwavering support and encouragement have given me the confidence to pursue my dreams and reach for the stars. I am forever grateful for my family’s love and guidance, and I know that I can always count on them to be by my side, no matter what.
What is your vision? My vision is to create an impact in the world where everyone has equal opportunities to succeed, regardless of their background, ethnicity, or social status. I want to break down the barriers that prevent people from reaching their full potential and inspire them to believe in themselves. I believe that by sharing my own experiences and struggles, I can help others overcome their own challenges and achieve their goals. Sharing opportunities and connecting them to other opportunities or resources that help others grow. I want to be a voice for those who feel unheard and unseen, and I am committed to making a positive difference in their lives. I believe that everyone has the ability to succeed, and I want to empower them to recognize their own potential and pursue their dreams.
What are you passionate about? Whats your driving force behind it? I am deeply passionate about my brand, Be U Queen. Our mission is to build the confidence of others and empower them to break through barriers. We specialize in the model industry and help other plus-size queens break into the modeling industry. Our goal is to create a network that not only talks about opportunities but also helps everyone create them. Throughout my life, I have faced exclusion due to my background, size, and race. I have consistently had to fight for a seat at the table, and I am still fighting for it today.”excluded because of my background, size, and race while progressing through life. I consistently had to fight for a seat at the table. Which, I am still fighting for today.
When someone states Women Empowerment, what does that mean to you and how can you relate? Women empowerment is a multifaceted movement that aims to break down the systemic barriers that have historically held women back from achieving their full potential. It’s about creating a world where women have equal access to opportunities and resources, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. At its core, women empowerment is about women supporting other women. It’s about building a sense of community and sisterhood where women can learn from each other, mentor each other, and celebrate each other’s successes. It’s also about breaking down the toxic and competitive mindset that has been instilled in many women, whereby they feel they must tear down other women to succeed.
Women empowerment involves a variety of strategies and initiatives, including educational programs, mentorship opportunities, leadership training, and advocacy for gender equality. It’s about creating a culture where women are valued for their contributions to society, and where their voices are heard and respected. Moreover, women empowerment is not just about empowering individual women, but also about creating a more just and equitable society for all. It’s about fighting against gender discrimination and unconscious bias, and promoting policies that ensure equal pay and equal access to opportunities for women. In short, women empowerment is a powerful movement that seeks to create a world where women can thrive and reach their full potential, both as individuals and as members of society. It’s a movement that benefits everyone, and we all have a role to play in making it a reality.
They say that pageantry is a sisterhood none like any other. How has it changed you?
Being a part of pageantry has been a life-changing experience for me. It has not only helped me discover my inner beauty and confidence, but it has also allowed me to gain a family that shares the same values and aspirations as me. These sisters, although not related to me by blood, have become a significant part of my life. As a child, I was never able to participate in pageants due to various reasons. But as an adult, I finally got the opportunity to do so, and it has been an incredible journey. Through pageantry, I have been able to improve my public speaking skills, develop my own style, and learn how to carry myself with poise and grace. But the most significant impact that pageantry has had on me is the sense of belonging that I have found. Before pageantry, I often felt like an outsider due to my background and experiences. But through this journey, I discovered that there were other women who had gone through similar struggles as me. It was an eye-opening experience to meet individuals who had faced bullying, discrimination, and the lack of opportunities to participate in pageants. The connections I have made through pageantry have been invaluable. I am grateful for the new family that I have gained, and the support and encouragement they have provided me with. Pageantry has truly changed my life for the better, and I am excited to see where this journey takes me next.
What have appearances have been the best so far with this reign?
During my reign, I had the privilege of participating in various events and appearances, from interviews to community service events, speaking engagements, and more. Every appearance that I made was significant in its way, and I am grateful for every opportunity that I received. I value every person that I met during my reign, and I am proud of the professional relationships that I built. I must say that one of my most memorable experiences was my participation in New York Fashion Week. It was a dream come true for me to walk down the runway in two shows, and I was thrilled to be part of such a prestigious event. Walking in the shows was an incredible experience, and it opened up doors for me to establish lasting business connections. I met some fantastic people, and I am grateful for the opportunities that arose from my participation in the event.
Whats your skill set?
I am a multi-talented individual with a diverse set of skills. I am currently pursuing a doctoral degree in criminal justice, which reflects my passion for contributing to the field of law enforcement. On the other hand, I am also a nail tech, entrepreneur, which allows me to express my creativity and run my own business. Additionally, I have experience as a model, coach, and designer, which have helped me develop not only my communication and leadership skills but also my artistic sense model, coach, and designer, I am constantly pushing myself to reach new heights. And soon, I will be stepping into my role as editor-in-chief, ready to inspire others to pursue their dreams with passion and dedication.
Whats your purpose in life?
My ultimate goal and purpose in life is to be a source of positivity and inspiration for those around me. I strive to spread joy, hope, and happiness wherever I go and to whomever I meet. I believe that by being a positive light, I can help others overcome their challenges and difficulties and empower them to become the best version of themselves. I am committed to serving as a beacon of hope and a role model to those in need, and I will continue to do so for as long as I live.
If you could choose any career in the world, would you still choose the career or talent you have?
If I had to choose a profession, I would have definitely opted for computer programming. I have always been fascinated by technology and the way it’s constantly evolving. Being someone who loves computers and everything related to them, I regret not pursuing more education in this field. I can proudly say that I have built my own computer from scratch, and I know the ins and outs of hardware and software. Pursuing a career in computer programming would have given me the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technologies, which I find very exciting. I can only imagine the kind of innovative projects I could have worked on if I had pursued this field. It’s amazing how programming languages have the power to bring ideas to life and solve complex problems. Although I have a different profession now, I still wonder where I would have ended up if I had chosen to become a computer programmer. However, I am glad that my passion for technology has led me to explore its various aspects, and I continue to learn new things about it every day.”
Knowing all that you know about yourself now, would you change anything?
In spite of the challenges I’ve faced, I wouldn’t change anything in my life. I firmly believe that every experience I’ve had has led me to where I am today, and that every obstacle has helped me grow and become a better person. Whether it was a difficult breakup, a career setback, or a personal struggle, I trust that everything happened for a reason, and that it has all played a role in shaping me into who I am. So, I embrace every moment of my life, both good and bad, knowing that it is all part of a greater plan.
Do you have any role models that you look up to?
Whenever I think of a role model, my mind always wanders back to my grandmother. She was the foundation of our family, a nurturing figure that always knew how to bring us all together. Her sweet and gentle spirit was contagious, and it spread love and positivity to all those around her. She was a consistent presence in our lives, and her unwavering kindness and selflessness is something that I will always cherish and strive to emulate.
If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
I resonate deeply with the wolf as my spirit animal. The way they fiercely protect their pack and fearlessly roam the wild embodies the qualities I aspire to have. I want to be a guardian for those I care about, and the strength and courage of a wolf inspires me to be fearless in the face of challenges and adversity.
What advice would you give a new queen starting her journey through pageantry?
Never give up and always remain your true, authentic self.” These simple yet powerful words can guide you towards a fulfilling journey of pursuing your passion. The journey was never meant to be easy. Lastly, preparation is key.
If you could leave a lasting impression, what would that look like?
I have embraced my authenticity and confidently represent the Hispanic community. My unique voice and perspective are valuable and deserve to be heard. I have reigned with confidence and inspired others to do the same.”
What is your favorite quote or saying? Explain?
Remember, life is a one-time opportunity. So be bold, take risks, and never let your fears hold you back. – unknown
This quote means, life is a precious gift which demands us to take risks and be bold. So, muster up the courage to face your fears and take that leap of faith, for opportunities come knocking only once. Remember, every risk taken is a chance for growth, learning, and self-discovery.
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