It was as if her heart had replaced her eardrums.

All Richelle Orr, junior in event management, could hear was the pounding of her heart as she took her place at the front and center of the stage, awaiting the final part of the competition. She held her breath as the judge asked:

“What is one thing you would like to change about your generation?”

The question hung in the air, waiting for her response. As she stood, the sequins on her form-fitting red ball gown caught the spotlight, sending tiny flecks of light dancing across her face, otherwise frozen in thought.

It was the only question she dreaded.

In an adrenaline-induced state, she spoke about the importance of sustainability and its priority in her generation.

“It was like an out-of-body experience,” she said, laughing about the fact she could not remember her answer after exiting the stage.

Even if she could not remember her answer, the judges did, and when they combined her performances in evening gown, swimwear and the interview, Orr was crowned 2013 Miss Iowa USA.

Previously, Orr had been crowned Miss Iowa Teen USA 2011, making her the third Iowan to win both titles in Miss USA history, said Libby Watkins, Orr’s manager.

The transition from Miss Iowa Teen USA to Miss Iowa USA was quick, Orr said. Contestants typically take time off before advancing to the next level, but she did not feel the need to wait.

“I felt like this was the right time for me, so I decided to just go for it,” Orr said.

Acknowledging the differences between the two divisions, Watkins insisted Orr begin preparation immediately after registering for the Miss Iowa USA pageant. Her walk, wardrobe and overall impression had to be altered to reach a different maturity level for the new competition.

“Ever since the day I signed up, I was mentally preparing,” Orr said. “Asking myself questions and thinking up answers. There was a lot of mental and actual preparation.”

Miss USA contestants are judged upon three categories, Orr said. Each contestant is given a score for modeling swimwear, modeling a gown and answering questions in an interview conducted by a panel of judges.

The combined score determines the top 15 contestants, who compete yet again and are narrowed down to the top five. The top five contestants are each asked a question at random to determine who will receive the crown.

Enjoying the upbeat atmosphere of the swimsuit modeling, Orr said it was easily her favorite part of the pageant compared to the slower, poised feel of gown modeling.

However, the competition as a whole was an enjoyable experience, she said, particularly being interviewed.

“I want them to know about me — what’s important and what I enjoy,” Orr said. This would include telling about such things as her hometown of Hampton, Iowa, complete with just two stoplights, her involvement with the ISU Dance Team and her hobby of fish tank decorating.

The interview aspect is where it all began, after all. Orr’s mother decided to enter her into a pageant to practice her interviewing skills to build confidence for her shy, middle-school-aged daughter.

“At first I hated it,” Orr said laughing, “I was so shy. But then I caught the little pageant bug and couldn’t stop. It’s been leaps and strides since I started. I found myself.”

In June, Orr will find herself in the 62nd Miss USA pageant at a location yet to be announced. She will compete against representatives from every other state and the District of Columbia for a chance to represent the United States at the 2013 Miss Universe competition.

While she admits to being a little intimidated by competing against states larger than Iowa, her ambition is not shaken.

“I’m feeling really good about it,” Orr said. “I did Miss Teen USA just a year ago, and now with this I feel pretty prepared.”