Miss Indiana

Kaitlyn Christopher

What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
A friend and I climbed to the top of the Kokomo Gas Tower in the middle of the night! This was really crazy because the tower was 387 feet tall and we had to climb over barbed wire fencing to get to it. The tower was scheduled to be imploded a few days later, after more than a half century of gracing Kokomo's skyline. We wanted to grab a little piece of history while we still could. I know it was dangerous, but it was also really fun!

Please list any schools and universities (public/private/graduate/trade or technical) you have or are attending, as well as the area of study, graduation date and any degree or certification you received.
High School: Western High School; Year Completed: 2004
Trade School 1: Red Cross; Area of Study: Adult, Child, Infant, and Pet First Aid; Year Completed: 2005; Degree: Certified Instructor for the Red Cross classes.
College: IUPUI - Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis; Area of Study: Pre-veterinary medicine;

What charity/charities have you supported with your time and/or resources over past two years?
Pals for Paws -- I volunteer for this not-for-profit organization as often as I can by working at adoption events, staffing fundraisers, providing pet foster care, speaking about the importance of animal rescue and spay/neuter programs, baking dog biscuits, teaching pet first aid classes, and recruiting more volunteers. I worked approximately 250 hours in 2004.
George Washington Elementary School -- I worked with learning disabled students for at least 3 hours per week for the first semester of my freshman year of college. This was approximately 50 hours total.
Indianapolis Humane Society - I am training at the Humane Society to be a volunteer surgical assistant in the Wellness Center. This is the part of the shelter where the pets are spayed or neutered. Training lasts 60 hours, after which I will continue to volunteer at least 5 hours per week. (250 - 300 hrs per year).
American Red Cross -- I am a volunteer instructor for CPR and pet first aid classes. I work with the American Red Cross in conjunction with Pals for Paws. The pet-first aid classes are a joint effort between the two organizations.
Jerry Lewis Telethon -- For the past three years, I have donated one day per year working as a celebrity phone operator for our local Indianapolis Jerry Lewis Telethon. (16 hours the last two years)
Manor Care Nursing Home -- I love visiting with the elderly. I have done this for several years, at first through my high school cheerleading squad, and later on my own. (Approximately 15 hours per year)
Nesting Doves -- In the spring of 2004, I organized a prom style show to benefit this home for unwed mothers. I was responsible for recruiting models, making appointments for their fittings, and selling tickets. I spent about 40 hours on this project.
Cans for Kids -- This is a canned food drive for the Kokomo Rescue Mission. I worked with many other people from my high school to break the all-time record for the number of cans collected. I spent about 10 hours on this activity my senior year of high school.
Howard County Historical Society -- I have worked as a volunteer at various fundraisers. I was involved with decorating, selling tickets, and providing entertainment for an ice cream social and a style show. I worked about 30 hours total for this organization in two years.
Youth Service Day -- Each year, I devote one complete Saturday to doing volunteer service work for the community. (16 hours in 2 years)

What would be your "dream job" in life?
I would love to be a famous supermodel, strutting the runways in New York City, Paris, or Milan!

Name one personal accomplishment (in addition to being a State Titleholder) that makes you especially roud.
I received BOTH an academic and a community service scholarship to help defray the expenses of college! I felt rewarded not only for my diligence in earning good grades, but also for my involvement in the community and my compassion towards other.

What are your hobbies and favorite activities?
Volunteering, Dancing, Yoga / Pilates / Fitness, Photography, Scrapbooking, Traveling, Shopping, Home Decorating.