Mekayla Diehl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mekayla (Diehl) Eppers
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Mekayla before her Miss USA interview, 2014
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Mekayla Fawn Diehl
November 28, 1988 Elkhart, Indiana, U.S.
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| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
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| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
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Mekayla Fawn Diehl Eppers is an American who has won several beauty pageant titles. She was crowned Miss Indiana USA 2014. After that, she competed in the Miss USA 2014 pageant, where she finished in the top twenty.
In 2018, Mekayla won the title of Mrs. America. She then competed in the Mrs. World competition in South Africa, placing in the top twelve. Mekayla is special because she was the first woman of Native American heritage to represent Indiana at the Miss USA pageant.
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Early Life and Education
Mekayla Diehl was born in Elkhart, Indiana, in 1988. Her family has roots in the Ojibwe tribe, which is part of the Zhiibaahaasing First Nation in Ontario, Canada. She was adopted and raised by her grandmother.
Mekayla graduated from White Pigeon High School in 2007. During her time in high school, she was a successful athlete. She played basketball, volleyball, and competed in track.
After high school, Mekayla attended Albion College. She graduated in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in mass communication. While at college, she continued to be active in sports, playing on both the volleyball and track teams.
Pageant Journey and Career
Mekayla began her journey in pageants in June 2012. She competed in the Miss Indiana 2012 pageant and finished as the second runner-up. She also won a special "Joy of Life" award. Later that year, she was a semi-finalist in the Miss Indiana USA 2013 pageant.
In 2012, Mekayla worked at a radio station, Froggy 102.7 WLEG, in Goshen, Indiana. She was the production director and an afternoon DJ. She worked there until the station changed its music style in 2013.
In October 2013, Mekayla won the Miss Indiana USA 2014 title. This win allowed her to compete in the Miss USA 2014 pageant the next year. At Miss USA, she placed in the top twenty. She made history as the first contestant of Native American background to represent Indiana at this national pageant.
Promoting a Healthy Body Image
Mekayla, who is about 5 feet 8 inches tall, became well-known for being a "normal" and healthy size. She was praised for not being extremely skinny, which is sometimes a stereotype for pageant contestants. Nia Sanchez, who won the 2014 Miss USA pageant, said that Mekayla was just like the other athletic contestants. Nia explained that the pageant is about being fit, healthy, and active, not about being too thin.
Mekayla's positive message encouraged many young women. She inspired them to focus on being healthy and active, rather than trying unhealthy ways to be skinny. While many celebrated her, some critics argued that her body type was not "average" for American women. However, Mekayla continued to promote a healthy and positive body image.
Her story was featured on major TV shows like Fox and Friends, The Today Show, Good Morning America, and Entertainment Tonight.
Later Career and Achievements
After her pageant success, Mekayla earned her real estate license. She worked with Century 21 Affiliated, helping people buy and sell homes in Northern Indiana.
In April 2017, Mekayla competed in and won the Mrs. Indiana America title. She then went on to win the Mrs. America 2018 title in August 2017. This competition took place in Las Vegas.
In December 2018, Mekayla started her own business called Reign Pageantry. Through this business, she coaches and guides other people who want to compete in pageants.
Personal Life
In November 2015, Mekayla married Christopher Eppers. He is from Elkhart, Indiana.
