Competing at the 2002 Mrs. America Pageant in Hawaii was a thrill for Regina Siegel, Mrs. Wisconsin, as she placed in the Top 10. Wisconsin's leading "Mrs." takes a moment from her busy schedule to answer some questions.
Q: Let’s go back to the Mrs. Wisconsin Pageant. Was this the first pageant you competed in?
A: I competed in the Miss Wisconsin system in college to earn scholarship money. I was Miss Midwest in 1996, and third runner-up to Miss Wisconsin that year as well.
Q: Why did you want to participate in this event?
A: I entered Mrs. Wisconsin to meet some wonderful women, and to be pampered for the day -- as a wife, principal, and mother of two, I'm not often pampered!
Q: In addition to your family, what are your passions/interests?
A: I love scrapbooking, horseback riding, aerobics, and reading.
Q: You are an elementary school principal. What do your teachers and students think of your other role as Mrs. Wisconsin?
A: They think it's neat. The funniest thing for me is when a teacher will ask me for an autograph for one of their children.
Q: How do you juggle your life as a full-time principal, loving mom and wife, community leader and Wisconsin's leading "Mrs"?
A: I have a terrific husband who keeps me focused. Without him, I could not accomplish half of what I do now!
Q: I love apple pie. You encourage parents to take a piece of the pie. What pie are you talking about?
A: P.I.E. stands for Parental Involvement in Education. It is vital for parents to be a continual part of their child's learning environment. Research shows how just a small amount of parent and child time spent on schoolwork can reap enormous benefits in school -- both academically and socially.
Q: What was the last book you read?
A: "Dive at Clausen Pier." My favorite author/poet is Maya Angelou.
Q: Excluding yourself, who do you think deserved the Mrs. America 2002 title and why?
A: I think each and every woman who competed in the Mrs. America Pageant was terrific. The winner was my roommate, so I'm especially glad she won.
Q: How do you keep your mind and body fit?
A: I try to take time for myself each and every day, no matter how hard that may be. That time is usually spent exercising, as well as taking time to read a devotional or part of a novel.
