Last updated 10.24.08
Click on banner below to view Casandra's MISS USA Photo Gallery:
Official Photos:
Photos by: Mike Collins - Studio 1 Photography ; Hair & Make-up by: Laural Hargadon
Modeling Photos:
Appearance Photos:
Casandra participated in the 2nd annual "Welcome Home Event" September 27th at the Naval Stadium, Annapolis. Troops from all branches of the service were invited to attend...600 troops responded to the invite! Casandra was thrilled to welcome our troops home!! Troop 355 is part of Soldier's Angel, they send care packages and let the soldiers know we appreciate them. |
Casandra and Ana Maria spent time with veterans and families welcoming home their family members...it was a very happy day for everyone involved. |
Autumn Glory Festival in Oakland, Maryland |
Members of Best Buddies in Garrett County |
participate in the parade |
FFAA Court of Garrett County pose with Casandra |
Garrett County Hospice Organization |
Casandra and her grandfather pose before the parade with their vehicle donated by Shaffer Ford |
Casandra rides in the parade with her niece Tori and a friend |
Casandra and Ana at the 2009 Miss Maryland USA/Teen USA pre-pageant seminar. Our own Pageant Coordinator, Ashley Stewart had the chance to be Miss Maryland USA, but just for a moment, Casandra was able to get her sash back! |
Casandra attended the Montgomery County picnic held each year to raise awareness and present awards to active members of the community. Casandra shared her experiences of being Miss Maryland USA 2008. |
Casandra spent countless hours this summer on several different events working with Maryland Special Olympics...the participants were so excited to meet Casandra, and she was in awe of their determination and talent |
Casandra attends the "Maryland State Games" after party held at Towson University |
Casandra took part in the Lindsay Rush Concert in Olde Towne Gaithersburg which benefited Mental Health Awareness |
Casandra and several Miss USA state representatives spend time with Ocean City Best Buddies |
Casandra attends a Baltimore Orioles Baseball game at beautiful Camden yards |
Casandra cheered on The Frederick Keys at Harry Grove Stadium |
Casandra took part in Damascus Days - a celebration of the city of Damascus |
Casandra traveled to Kewanee, Illinois to support her friend, Abbey Curran - the reigning Miss Iowa USA and founder of the "Miss U Can do it Pageant" for girls with special needs or challenges |
Casandra had a great time at the Western Maryland Truck Show |
Casandra attends a Southern Maryland Blue Crabs baseball game, they are owned by Brooks Robinson, formally of the Baltimore Orioles |
Casandra is a special guest at the Aberdeen IronBirds Home Opener |
Welcome to Ripken Staduim! |
Opening Festivities & Intros |
Cassie is greeted by mascot Ripcord |
Getting some last minute pointers before the 1st pitch |
Cassie is honored to throw out the first pitch to MLB Hall of Famer, and President/CEO of the IronBirds, Cal Ripken Jr. |
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Enjoying America's favorite Baseball snack! |
Cassie enjoys meeting and greeting |
the fans of all ages! |
Cassie helps on the side-line with the day's promotional activites and tosses out T-shirts to the crowd! |
Cassie signs a father's bat |
On the Jumbotron giving away prizes to a Dad |
Photos with some fans |
The Baysox win! |
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The Baltimore Ravens Roosts converged on Ocean City for their annual convention to celebrate the hard work done by members of the 49 Ravens Roosts over the years. The highlight of the weekend is the annual parade along Baltimore Avenue on May 31st. |
Cassie with a Raven's Roost Member |
Ana Maria & Cassie with some fans before the parade |
The parade's Color Guard from OC 166 |
Cassie with her driver, Jim who also owned the beautiful 1975 Corvette she rode in! |
Casandra participates in the City of Annapolis' Memorial Day Parade to honor the city's 300 years of veterans' service to country & community.
At left, the wreath set into the water for the memory of those lost at sea; and at right, Casandra listens as the the naval band plays during the conclusion of the parade.
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Cassie is shown above with (L to R) the parade's color guard, Grand Marshall & native Marylander - Pat Sajak & other visiting titleholders, a midshipman from the Naval Academy & some little fans. |
Casandra with the Annapolis Vietnam Veterans, the Annapolis Jewish War Veterans, and with some members of the Naval Band which lead the Parade
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Arnold fire department members and Casandra, along with some Boy & Girl Scouts...and Cassie greets many people and expresses her thanks for them coming
out to honor our veterans and the members of our military. Below, Cassie rides in the parade which went straight down West Street into the heart of Annapolis. |
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After the Memorial Day Parade, all were invited to Post 1421 on Forest Dr. in Annapolis.
This was also attended by the Corvette Club of Annapolis |
Cassie meets |
The Blue Angels Team |
Speaking to the crew of the Night Stalkers, Heavy Assualt Helicopter |
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Exiting one of the planes at the show |
Casandra spent the day with numerous members the public the jobs that each individual |
of the military who were demonstrating to her and has been trained for. |
With NM1 Horning, he was one of the first soliders to greet her when she arrived |
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With members of the Marine Special Operation Battalion |
Casandra speaks to 2 of our servicemen &
listens to their pride of serving our Country |
Meeting members of the Civil Air Patrol |
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HART for Animals, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to saving the lives of homeless pets in Western Maryland. Through a network of volunteers
- individuals and rescue organizations - HART is able to rescue animals from the Garrett County shelter and give them a chance of finding a permanent home. Cassie is
shown above with members of the Hart for Animals Community who have come together for this event and some of the animals that have been rescued.
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Casandra shows us some important things to remember when adopting & addresses the crowd on the importance of animal rescue & adoption of animals through the Humane Society.
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Casandra was honored to be asked to address the Damasacus High School graduating class of 2008. As a 2003 alumnae, it was a true homecoming for her. She encouraged the graduates to have their own dreams, learn from their mistakes, and remember to get involved in something bigger then oneself when giving back to their community. |
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On Friday, May 23rd, Casandra was invited to help with the Wicimico Child Advocacy Center's "Step Up to Bat for the CAC" fundraiser held at Frank Perdue stadium in Salisbury, MD, home of the Delmarva Shorebirds. State Attorney Mr. Davis Ruark, shown with Cassie top left, is a stong voice for the prosecution of child abuse. He takes it one step further with helping the families and children of child abuse, which is where the CAC comes in.
Casandra was honored by being invited to sit in on an actual trial that Mr. Ruark was prosecuting and then helping to raise funds for this great cause. Cassie also met James Perdue, CEO of Perdue Farms, Inc. (shown above) who was also on hand to help raise funds for the cause. Also pictured with Cassie is Sherman - the Shorebirds mascot, signing her first baseball and meeting some fans, and helping out with the promotions for the evening.
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| The 3rd annual Strut Your Mutt Dog Parade and Festival took place on
Saturday, May 17, 2008 in downtown Bethesda. Organized and sponsored by the
Bethesda - Chevy Chase Rotary Club. They were able to raise over $30,000.00 from this community. Casandra prepares Marley the prisoner & Bentley the officer to help her lead the parade.
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Casandra, Co-Grand Marshall of the event, waits as the boy scouts and others line up for the parade. Cassie then helps award medals, including one for the
largest dog at the parade and then also helps to raise money for the Bull Dogs Rescue by receiving kisses, only by the pups! |
Cassie has fun meeting the "human" paticipants and walks in the parade! |
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Over 350 walkers participated in the Greater Washington DC region's 2008 Walk for Cystic Fibrosis Fundraiser held on Thursday, May 15th in Bethesda. Casandra is shown here with the many volunteers who gave of their time. |
Casandra & Ana Maria, along with State Attorney of Baltimore City, Patricia Jessamy wait to give out awards at the She Matters Girls'
Empowerment Expo.
Casandra and Ana Maria speak with and sign autographs for the young women who attended the conference.
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Casandra & Ana Maria applaud the award recipients; Casandra says good bye to several of the young girls and
gives them a last bit of wisdom; Casandra & Ana Maria and the other guests watch as a group preforms for the seminar. |
The Emergency Readiness Fair was held in Damascus on May 6th at Engine 13 Firehall. Cassie poses with members of the fire dartment and
Cole who was her guide from the Fair and also of one of the horses that is part of the Montgomery County Search & Rescue Team. |
The Montgomery County Best Buddies Gala was held Friday May 5th at Damascus High School. Cassie enjoyed herself meeting and dancing with some of her new buddies, and being reunited with some of her old ones - including Ashley Case, lower/middle photo - who was Cassie's Best Buddy while in high shcool!
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At a National Youth Service Day event held at a Chuckie Cheese in Glen Burnie, Cassie was paired up with a young boy from Baltimore
and got to spend a couple of hours just having fun and laughing with him, his brother and cousin for a while. They spent a few
hours just having fun,
laughing and playing
the arcade games. They also took a photo of themsevles to help remember the day!
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On April 26th, Best Buddies Maryland celebrated their accomplishments with their annual Best of Maryland Awards held at Reservoir High School in Howard County. |
Best Buddies from Montgomery County pose with Cassie |
...and two from Cassie's hometown, Damascus High School! |
Salisbury University receives an award presented by Cassie and Christian Metzger, Best Buddies of Maryland Chairman |
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Ana Maria & Cassie help present awards during the ceremony |
 Members of Walt Whitman High School Best Buddies receive their award |
Casandra at her MISS USA Send-Off Party and with her proud parents, Tammy & Doug Tressler |
Cassie poses with (L) Christie Davis, pageant coach and former Miss MD USA 2000,
(C) Brittany McNeill, friend and Miss MD USA 08 SF, and (R) with family & friend supporters
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Casandra rides in Baltimore's St. Patrick's Day Parade |
Casandra and Ana Maria visit with the administrators and returning veterans at the VA Hospital in Baltimore |
Casandra attends the Maryland Special Olympics' Winter Games in Deep Creek, MD, and meets the Olympians and their families from the Carroll County Team. |
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Cassie speaks at Glenelg Country School and takes a photo with Mrs. & Mr. Weeks, the director of the fundraising event. |
Cassie attends a Washington Capitals hockey Organization where she meets a new friend
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game as a guest of the Best Buddies Russell, who gives her a few kisses!
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Casandra poses with another "Plunger" and the Special Olympics' Bear Mascot |
Cassie takes the plunge in the frigid waters
of Sandy Point Park |
Cassie testing the waters with the drivers after
they had secured the area
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Casandra and Govenor O'Malley after
the 2nd plunge of the day |
Cassie helps hand out awards
to the plugers. |
Two Miss MD USA 2008 contestants, Mikaela Sasser (L) and Kristen Upchurch (R) also come out to support MD's Special Olympics |
Cassie and Ana Maria present the Best Costume Award to a young plunger who
was a Human Billboard! |
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Cassie with officers of the Maryland State Police;
one of the organizers of the event |
Members of Firehouse 500 who came out to support the event |
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Ana Maria & Casandra help the students & staff of Fort Meade High School pack items and supplies to send to the Troops serving overseas. |
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At the "Safari In December" Event, Cassie poses with Ivana Grace (DC TUSA '08), Chelsey Rodgers (DC USA '08) and Event Hostess, Michae' Holloman (MD USA '07) |
Casandra takes photos with some of her |
new "Best Buddies" |
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Ana Maria Lawson (MD TUSA '08), Casandra, Chelsey Rodgers (DC USA '08) and Ivana Grace (DC TUSA '08) shown with "Safari In December" event host |
Cassie & Ana Maria with the lucky receipents of an autographed hockey stick signed by the Washington Capitals. Gabby was given the valuable momento by the generous raffle winner at the Best Buddies event. |
Cassie visits the Fort Meade High School's Bridge Program and poses
with the Sponsors, Mentors, and the Commander of Fort Meade
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Cassie visits Bradford Elementary School in Oakland, MD, and enjoys meeting and reading to the students
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Casandra attends the Jingle Bell Run where she meets some young runners, gets a Candy Cane
from Santa and blows the horn to start the run!
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Casandra rides in Baltimore's Thanksgiving Day Parade
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Casandra poses with current & former members of the military at her "Salute to the Troops Dinner" in Damascus, MD
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Casandra & Michae' Holloman (MDUSA'07) attend the Miss DC USA pageant
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"Day After" Photo Shoot - Baltimore Inner Harbor
November 5th, 2006
Photograhy by: Josef Willis, PageantPhotography.com
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