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Community Corner

New Miss Michigan Jaclyn Schultz Is a Birmingham Media Strategist

The 24-year-old Wyandotte woman who works at Birmingham's Brogan & Partners, is adjusting to life after capturing the crown and will represent Michigan at Miss USA pageant.

Jaclyn Schultz was networking in her career as a media strategist when she decided to enter the Miss Michigan pageant as a new challenge. A newcomer to pageants, Schultz, a Wyandotte resident, was hoping to finish in the top 15.

But instead, she won the crown.

Schultz, 24, who works as a media strategist for Birmingham's Brogan and Partners, was crowned Miss Michigan USA 2013 at ceremonies in Port Huron on Sept. 29.

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“I couldn’t believe it,” Schultz, one of 70 women who competed for the crown, said. “I was sobbing in all the pictures.”

Schultz said she was a little nervous about being in the Miss Michigan pageant, but it was more excitement on her part, Schultz said. “I channel my nerves toward it being a positive thing.”

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On stage as one of the top 5, the question she drew from a fish bowl was, “What is the one thing that separates Michigan from any other state?”

As a public relations graduate from Central Michigan University currently pursing a master's degree in advertising from Michigan State, Schultz had just the right answer. She said Michigan's Pure Michigan advertising campaign for the state is amazing, connecting people and ultimately helping to boost Michigan's economy.

“Other states could learn from that,” she said.

In fact, marketing and advertising is something Schultz is passionate about.

“As an advertising professional, I have become increasingly aware of the power of communications,” Schultz said, in a press statement on the Brogan & Partners website. “The Miss Michigan platform will give me a unique opportunity to blend my passion for my work and love of my home state. I’m thrilled to be another positive voice for Michigan.”

And she’s adjusting to the fame that comes with being Miss Michigan.

“The first week was really a lot,” she said. “Now I’m adjusted.”

'Everybody is so excited for me' at Birmingham workplace

Besides several media appearances, Schultz is now the new ambassador for the Pink Fund, a Birmingham- and Bloomfield-based organization that provides financial assistance to women with breast cancer.

“I basically can do as many events and appearances as I want,” she said.

Schultz said her co-workers at Brogan and Partners supported her Miss Michigan run every step of the way. The first day back to work, she said she was greeted by banners, cake and streamers.

“It was a big celebration,” she said. “Everybody is so excited for me. They are being 100 percent supportive.”

"The Brogan team is incredibly excited about Jackie's accomplishment, said Ellyn Davidson, managing partner for Brogan and Partners. "She is a talented advertising professional and lovely person who will represent our state and industry exceptionally well."

Until then, Schultz is happy to stay busy doing what she loves most, including kickboxing and playing with her new yellow lab puppy, Takoda.

In five years, “I’d like to see myself hopefully engaged, or married with a family and working in advertising or public relations,” Schultz said.

The Miss USA 2013 pageant will held in June in Las Vegas. Schultz said her plans are to go all the way: to win Miss USA then Miss Universe.

“I would just say if you have a dream and you really want to do something, just do it,” she said. “I believe that now 100 percent. You’ll never know what could happen unless you try.”

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