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Caley-Rae Pavillard: Seeking The Crown And More

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The very least you should know about Caley-Rae Pavillard is that her idea of relaxing is going to the movies and enjoying a bag of popcorn; she loves to teach Pure Barre fitness classes; she refers to herself as a Type A personality; she enjoys acting and once participated in the independent film Moon Ring at age 16; and she doesn’t know what she ever did before she discovered the fun of watching Nashville and Game of Thrones.

However, this busy young woman has more than just movies, popcorn and hit shows on her mind. She has loftier goals to which she must attend. Despite balancing a frenetic schedule these days, her positive attitude is on full throttle and she is prepared for all of the excitement this year will bring, especially after wrapping up one particularly amazing year.

In 2015, not only did Caley-Rae, 22, graduate magna cum laude from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, with a double major in advertising and fashion, she was also crowned Miss Colorado USA 2016 this past October. She effortlessly made the transition from cap and gown to crown and gown and her life ever since has been one of which dreams are made.

SEEKING TO MAKE HISTORY
The enthusiasm for her pageant victory is palpable, and her commitment to representing her home state at the 2016 Miss USA pageant next spring, which will air live on FOX, to the best of her abilities is clearly unwavering. It’s a dream come true for this down-to-earth, upbeat and outgoing young lady with the world at her fingertips. Holding the coveted crown seems like destiny for her, and the spirited confidence she exudes rests in purpose, not in ego. Although Colorado has never taken the title of Miss USA, Caley-Rae seems like just the person to change history in that regard. Her approachable personality has “winner” written all over it, yet there is nothing about her that contains an ounce of arrogance. More than anything, her attitude is one of “Relax. I’ve got this.”

Not a newbie to the pageant world, Caley-Rae was named Miss Colorado Teen USA in 2011. While her physical beauty goes without saying, Caley-Rae doesn’t even seem to notice that part of herself. Undeniably a hard worker, she simply does what it takes to get the job done, and by all appearances, she has a blast in doing so.

NATURAL TALENT
Born and raised in Castle Rock, Colorado, Caley-Rae was performing by the time she could walk. She took her first dance lessons from a Romanian woman, Irina Brecher, who operated a studio called Soul Motion. As Caley-Rae developed her dancing prowess in the areas of jazz, ballet and tap over the ensuing years, she participated in numerous competitive dancing events in and around Denver, eventually transitioning to instruction from Michelle Latimer Dance Academy.

By the time she was in high school, Caley-Rae was focusing more of her efforts on her modeling career while still catering to her passion for dance as a member of the Poms dance team at Rock Canyon High School. When she began her studies at SMU in the fall of 2011, Caley-Rae had to shelve her dance passion and transition that energy into something, as she eloquently put it, “into an adult lifestyle.” As such, she turned to Pure Barre, an energizing form of exercise that has a strong dance component to it. Within just a few months of taking classes, she was asked to teach, an endeavor she pursued throughout college while simultaneously completing several freelance modeling jobs. She still teaches part time in Lone Tree.

After graduating from SMU, Caley-Rae modeled in Miami and Mexico City, where she ultimately signed with NEXT Model Management. After the height of swimsuit season wound down and the available work seemed to thin out, Caley-Rae turned her sights on competing in the Miss Colorado USA pageant. She returned home to Colorado in late summer and began to prepare for the event in record time. Fortunately, her background as a fitness instructor had helped to keep her in shape, and she simply added some weight training to improve her muscle tone. She also maintained a healthy diet, but what was unique to her preparation efforts was that she designed and made her own gown. In collaboration with Royal Image Boutique, she was able to bring her design to fruition and, as she graced the pageant stage in that gown, the magic took over. “That was a special moment for me, as that gown was 100 percent me,” Caley-Rae smiled.

INSPIRATION AND SERVICE
While Caley-Rae would certainly be thrilled to claim the title of Miss USA, falling short of that honor will not deter her enthusiasm
for future ambitions. “The connections I have made as a result of what I am doing are tremendous,” she emphasized. “I have met so many wonderful people who have inspired me to pursue my goals.” Caley-Rae credits her parents, Tami and Tracy, and her two younger sisters, Tori and Amanda, for their steadfast support of her ambitions.

“This has been a full-time job, but they are always there for me, cheering me on,” she smiled. That support keeps her going, especially with all of the exciting events she attends wearing the Miss Colorado USA crown.

While she participates in numerous local events, Caley-Rae also travels the country taking part in Operation That’s My Dress through the USO, which has taken her to such places as Florida, New York and North Carolina. “These events provide new gowns
and dresses designed by Sherri Hill, an international fashion designer, to teenage girls, female service members and spouses of service members, for homecoming, prom seasons and military balls,” explained Caley-Rae. “At these events, the ladies are treated to a fashion show and opportunities to be pampered with beauty treatments, fashion accessories and consultations with beauty pageant contestants and celebrity stylists.”

Caley-Rae is thrilled to be a part of the amazing opportunities to serve others while wearing the crown. She has always had a heart of service and graduated from high school with roughly 600 hours of community service, continuing her efforts as Miss Colorado Teen USA through the Dream Big program, speaking to at-risk and homeless girls. “It’s fun to inspire and encourage girls to get involved and pursue their passions no matter what their circumstances,” she noted.

ESTABLISHING HER FUTURE GOALS
And through all of her efforts, Caley-Rae has certainly inspired herself as well. “This experience has fostered a strong sense of independence in me,” Caley-Rae reflected, referring to her role as Miss Colorado USA. “I think I was on more planes in 2015 than some people have been in a lifetime, but I am okay with that. However, I could use a little more sleep!”

Finding time to grab some shut-eye may be a problem for Caley-Rae, however, as she has an exciting year ahead and also some pretty amazing goals in mind. “I hope to one day own a digital marketing company within the fashion and entertainment industry,” she explained. “I’ve always been entrepreneurial minded. I have a lot of ideas that I am always thinking about. I was taught in college that some of the most successful businesses are born when you recognize a need for something. I’m really excited about
the future.” HLM
For more information on Caley-Rae Pavillard, visit her online.