I helped pass legislation that removed “alcopops” from grocery and convenience stores in the state of Utah. I am the Honorary Membership Chair for the state PTA for 2009-2011. I also serve on the National McGruff Board. I serve on the National Crime Prevention Association, was also appointed by the attorney general of Utah to serve on the Methamphetamine State Task Force, am an ambassador with the Power in You and a member of USAAV (Utah Substance Abuse and Anti-Violence Coordinating Council). I work extensively with the Utah Council for Crime prevention as an executive board member. I have had the opportunity to speak at hundreds of DARE (drug abuse resistance education) graduations and have since become the State of Utah’s official DARE spokesperson. Tell us about the work you do to promote drug education. I just ran backstage and started changing. I had Miss South Carolina placing in the Top 5 and when she was cut I wasn’t sure what to think. I just thought, “OK this is it.” When they announced Top Ten I was a little shocked. To be honest, I was nervous when I made Top 15. What would be your first thought when you realized you made the top 15 and then the top 10 in Miss USA? Although it wasn’t the way I had hoped, I fulfilled my dreams and goals at Miss USA. When I realized that, I couldn’t help but be in awe of my many blessings and opportunities. The clip they chose of me was talking about my brother’s death and that the ONLY difference between me standing up there and my brother laying dead in a cemetery is that I said NO to drugs every time and he didn’t. A few girls talked about hobbies or awards they won in high school. You said you wanted the nation to hear Brad’s story and they did.” Every girl who placed in the Top Ten had a video spot played for them. My dad gave me a huge hug and said “I am so proud of you. I walked out of the dressing room to a boisterous applause from my family and friends. The pageant was over and I came in 6th place. I had so many incredible moments at Miss USA and met some fantastic people but my most memorable moment came at the hardest time for me. What would be your most memorable moment at Miss USA? When they announced me as the next Miss Utah USA my eyes filled with tears and I knew that I could make a difference. I was competing against some incredible women, including two former Miss Utah Americas. What was going through your head when you realized you were the new Miss Utah USA? That is when I decided to compete for the title of Miss Utah USA 2007. I knew that as Heather Anderson I might be able to get into a few schools but as Miss Utah USA I could get into any school in the state to share my brothers’ story. That is when I decided that I wanted to talk about it. That is an epidemic and it seemed like no one was talking about it. In Salt Lake County one person a day was dying of drugs. What did shock me was when she said that she saw at least one person come through her doors every day having died of a drug overdose. When the coroner called to give my family the autopsy results we weren’t surprised. I flew home to Utah planning to stay for a few months before returning to my life in L.A. I was working as a full-time runway model when I got the call from my dad telling me that my little brother was dead. Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Utah USA pageant?
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