Danielle Dominski of Independence Township recalls performing as a duck with a yellow feather costume in Myrtle Beach at age 9.
The poise and stage presence gathered by her dancing performances since the age of three paid off recently as Dominski, representing Clarkston, finished in the top 15 for Miss Michigan USA Sept. 17.
In September, Dominski, 18, competed in the two-night Miss Michigan USA competition at the McMorran Place Theater in Port Huron. According to Dominski, the first day involved swimsuit and evening gown competitions. The second day, reserved for semifinalists, started for her at six in the morning followed by a night of evening gowns and swimsuits.
‘Hearing my name called for the top 15 was a major accomplishment for me because I wanted to do well,? said Dominski. ‘That’s what I wanted to accomplish because I barely aged into (Miss Michigan). I wanted that experience.?
The interview process involved with tow judging panels who asked questions about career achievement and social causes from bio sheets filled out by the contestants.
‘They also asked me questions about Michelle Wie because I’m a golfer. They asked how I feel about how far she’s gone,? said Dominski, who highlighted Mother Teresa, Wie and Oprah as three women she looks up to.
‘The experience itself is something that can build your confidence level and help you with your interview skills. The connections you make with the other girls are great,? she added.
During the year, Dominski prepared for the competition by working with Habitat for Humanity and volunteering at a nursing home in Lake Orion.
‘I watched the news, read papers for a little dose of what was going on. I talked with relatives and friends too,? said Dominski.
Prior to the Miss Michigan competition, Dominski participated in Miss Teen in Southeast Michigan and Miss Teen Michigan, her first state competition in 2004.
‘I did surprisingly well for my first state competition, finishing third runner-up out of 110 girls,? said Dominski.
Dominski plans to continue competing in pageants after receiving encouragement from people who said she stands a good chance of winning in the future due to her age. The Miss Michigan USA is open to girls ages 18 ? 27 according to the organizations Web site. This year’s winner, Danelle Gay, 24, of Lapeer, was crowned Miss Michigan 2006.
Dominski credits her family and Miss Teen of Southeast Michigan pageant owner Shea Scott of West Bloomfield for helping her with the competition.
?(Shea Scott) took a liking to me, helping me prepare for the next pageant by picking a dress and swimsuit and preparing for interviews,? explained Dominski, who was second-runner up in the 2005 Miss Teen in Southeast Michigan.
Currently a freshman at Oakland University, Dominski plans to attend Michigan State University in the spring and pursue a degree in packaging. She is a member of the OU girls? golf team as well. Prior to college, Dominski graduated from Notre Dame Prep in Pontiac where she was captain of the golf team.
Dominski is the daughter of John and Kathleen Dominski of Independence Township. She has a 12-year-old brother John.