This Sunday night will be all about tiaras, evening gowns, and some very tough questions at the Miss USA 2017 pageant. But nothing can deter the reigning Miss Texas, Nancy Gonzalez from keeping her eye on the crown.
There are 51 gorgeous hopefuls vying for the Miss USA crown, but only one will take it home. Can Miss Texas 2017, Nancy Gonzalez, take the crown to her home state? She very well might! She’s beautiful, talented, and determined. Gonzalez has been participating in the preliminary rounds all week —from the swimsuit and evening gowns to rehearsals and charity appearances. Here’s more on this remarkable woman in Nancy Gonzalez’s wiki.
#1. Instilled with a Strong Work Ethic
Gonzalez was born in Galveston, Texas, but her roots are from Mexico. She currently lives in Houston with her parents, two sisters, and an adorable niece. Her work ethic and determination come from her father, who came to the U.S. for better prospects. Without a high school education, he worked two jobs by day and attended school at night to provide for his family.
Also Read: Rachel Peters Wiki: Everything to Know about the New Miss Universe-Philippines 2017
Her parents stressed the importance of an education while pursuing your dreams. With that in mind, she graduated from Brazosport High School as a Texas Scholar in 2008. She then pursued a degree in supply chain and logistics from the University of Houston, while working to pay for her everyday and educational expenses. She was on the Dean’s List and graduated Cum Laude in 2014. Gonzalez was the first in her family to get a university degree.
Photo: Georgina Vaughan / Miss Universe
#2. Persisting for Her Crowning Glory
Nancy Gonzalez, who long admired the confident and beautiful women in pageants, began competing in pageants when she was 17. According to her Facebook page, she was a victim of abuse and hopes to help other victims should she be crowned Miss Texas and Miss USA. But her dreams took a while to materialize.
She entered the Miss Houston Teen USA pageant in 2008, but didn’t make it. She kept competing in the Miss Universe organization’s pageants until finally, in September 2016, she heard the words she waited so long to hear, “Nancy Gonzalez, you are Miss Texas USA 2017!”
#3. She’s an Archer
As if she wasn’t cool enough, Gonzalez is quite skilled with a bow and arrow. How and when she got into archery is a mystery, but we’re not complaining! Her Miss USA introductory video is giving us major Katniss Everdeen feels! She calls archery “a very empowering sport.” Honing her archery skills helped the 26-year-old gain persistence, especially when she lost her first few pageants.
“The perfect shot takes, of course, a lot of practice,” says Gonzalez. “But also having a lot of serenity because you have to be very calm before you release in order to hit the bullseye,” she added. Something tells us that’s how she’s planning to win the crown, as well!
She also loves spending time outdoors. Her Miss USA bio says she enjoys camping, fishing, and surfing. Nancy Gonzalez also played softball and soccer, and recently started kickboxing. She also prides herself on being able to cook her own meals.
#4. Future Girl Boss
Before becoming a pageant girl, Gonzalez modeled at the age of eight, but not for long. After graduating from university, she was offered a job at Marathon Oil Corporation. As an international procurement representative for their West Africa asset, she can be found in her office sourcing, negotiating, and purchasing oil and gas materials for her employer.
Her aspirations include obtaining an executive MBA, becoming an executive level manager, and eventually owning and operating her own business. Gonzalez stays focused on pursuing goals by keeping one thing in mind: “You have to believe in yourself before others can believe in you.”
Miss USA 2017 will air live on Sunday at 8 p.m. EST on Fox.
