“You have to learn to multi-task,” says Haglund, a member of Faith Covenant Church in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The sound of zippers is heard in the background.
Since being named Miss America on January 26, Haglund’s life has been a whirlwind. The morning after winning the competition in Las Vegas, Nevada, she was whisked to New York City to appear on Live! with Regis and Kelly, as well as an interview for ABC News Now and several other media events.
While in Philadelphia, she visited the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital and signed autographs at the Philadelphia Auto Show. After appearances in Los Angeles, she boarded an airplane that took her to Washington, D.C.
She’s trying to adhere to advice the previous Miss America offered her: “Never pass up the chance to sleep, eat or go to the bathroom because you never know when you’ll get it again.” Haglund adds, “You have to learn to sleep standing up.”
Despite the dizzying schedule, Haglund says, “I’m just enjoying every second of it.”
Visiting the children in the hospital was emotional for Haglund, but she relished the opportunity to inspire the young patients. “It’s amazing the power when you walk into a room with the crown,” Haglund says. “The kids look up to that with wonder.”
Haglund does allow that “the first couple of days were really scary. All of the sudden, people were Googling my name and know my story.”
In addition to promoting the Children’s Miracle Network, which is a sponsor of the Miss America pageant, Haglund also continues telling her story to promote her platform that focuses on preventing eating disorders and encouraging those who suffer from them. Haglund was hospitalized several years ago with anorexia.
“Having a personal story, you have to be vulnerable,” Haglund says. “I don’t want it to be about me. I want it to be what I can do for others. I want to be a voice for others in the eating disorders community.”
Haglund says she believes the opportunity was given to her by God. When her name was announced as the pageant winner, Haglund kept repeating “Praise Jesus! Praise Jesus!”
Haglund says her morning devotionals and scriptures sent by friends are helping her to stay strong spiritually even as she crisscrosses the country. Currently she totes with her Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul, by John and Stasi Eldredge.
Haglund was one of two Covenant women to participate in the pageant. She and Miss North Dakota, Ashley Young, had spoken by phone in the months prior to the pageant, but quickly became friends after living in a house with the other women for a reality show connected with the event.
“I was so thrilled she was there,” Haglund says. “We really bonded at Miss America.”
Young, who is a member of Hope Evangelical Covenant Church in Grand Forks, was named Miss Congeniality, who is chosen for the honor by the other contestants.
“I was so excited for her,” Haglund says. “She deserved it more than anyone I know. She is a very selfless person. She was constantly asking about others and if she could pray for them.”
