Hundreds of people gathered in the Performing Arts Auditorium in Ames, Iowa, as Erica Lansman cried tears of joy as she was crowned Miss Iowa Teen USA 2010. As a first time pageant competitor, she says how her hard work and determination paid off. “I first watched Miss Teen USA two years ago in 2007 on NBC, and knew it was something I wanted to accomplish.” She proved that being confident with who you are and working hard to reach your goals is something that every young person should strive to do.

Erica is a senior at Bettendorf High School where she is a high honor roll student. She plans on attending college in the fall to receive her B.A. in marketing with an emphasis in public relations. She hopes to one day work for a public relations firm and to be an event planner in New York City. “I love being busy and work really well under pressure, and living in New York would be just as fast paced as I am!” She is also considering a career as a special education teacher, as she will be interning at a special needs daycare center through the Professional Internship program at her school.

For the third consecutive year, Erica is president of Students Against Destructive Decisions (S.A.D.D.) and helps students become aware of many issues teens today face. She is also co-founder of a student mentoring program called H.O.P.E. at her high school. “Helping Others Pursue Excellence is a student led mentoring program where high school students have the chance to interact with 8th graders entering high school. It’s a great way to help them feel comfortable with the many challenges young people face during their high school years,” says Erica. She is also involved in Future Business Leaders of America as the Reporter, Teens for Tomorrow, Best Buddies, Student to Student, and volunteers at the Habitat for Humanity Quad Cities ReStore. She was also honored with being nominated as a 2009 Homecoming queen candidate.

In her spare time Erica enjoys riding and training her 3 horses, along with the 7 month old baby foal that was born a day after her 17th birthday. She has been competitively showing Quarter Horses for 5 years. “I have gained so much confidence through horseback riding, and I love the thrill of how they are so unpredictable.” She also served Vice President of Awards for the Iowa Quarter Horse Youth Association in 2008. Erica laughs at the fact she got to trade in her cowboy boots and hat for 4-inch heels and a crown.

One quote Erica lives by is “The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if your willing to work.” She proved this to be true after her first time pageant win. She is looking forward to competing at the Miss Teen USA pageant this summer, and hopes to take home the national title just as she watched Hilary Cruz do two years ago.

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