Photo: StudioRM by Rick Martinez
Hair and Makeup: Megan Melton of BDollz Boutique
Styling: Arianne Davis
What’s your name and what do you do?
My name is Hilary Powers, and I’m the reigning All American Classic Mrs. This is a division of the All American Pageant system, a system that’s been around for nearly thirty years. Only plus sized and married women are eligible for the Classic Mrs. division.
When not enjoying the pageant life, I’m an Audit and Examination Manager for Affirm. I love helping the company comply with laws and regulations, and to protect our customers.
I’ve been married to my husband Brad since 2007. We share two adult daughters, and a granddaughter that turned one on St. Patrick’s Day. We also have eight dogs, a cat, and a Cuban brown anole that stowed away in our luggage from Florida.
How long have you been doing what you do?
I was so proud to win this title in October of 2023 at the national pageant in Ocean City, Maryland. I also captured the Overall Talent title
As far as my professional life, I’ve been in the Audit and Compliance industry for many years. This includes a previous six-year stint as a Bank Examiner for the Federal Reserve. I got bitten by the Audit bug while pursuing my undergraduate degrees at the University of Akron and Franklin University.
What have been your challenges?
My biggest challenge in recent memory was moving back to Ohio from Florida. A previous employer relocated me to the Tampa area during the height of the pandemic (summer of 2020). When my daughter told me that my grandbaby was on the way, I knew I had to leave my beautiful Tampa to come back home to Ohio.
This was a challenge because of the previously mentioned menagerie of pets. So, we rented an RV and drove the “house with wheels” back to Ohio. It was certainly an adventure, driving a 40-foot RV through downtown Atlanta!
What are your greatest accomplishments?
The best part of being All American Classic Mrs. is spending time with my sister queens. This pageant is truly a sisterhood, and I’m so privileged to have some of my best friends as part of this journey. Our most recent appearance together was walking as models in New York Fashion Week – we made some incredible core memories! My face was even on a billboard in Times Square.
Personally and professionally, earning my MBA with a focus in Macroeconomics is my greatest accomplishment. In 2013, I had two young daughters that looked up to me … and I used that as fuel to complete my Master’s degree. I am the first person in my family to have an advanced degree, and I am so pleased to model this achievement for my daughters and my granddaughter. It’s never too late to get an education!
What are your plans for the future?
Personally and professionally, I’d like to continue on the same trajectory. I’m having an absolute blast watching my granddaughter grow up, and being such an integral part of her life is a true blessing. Plus, growing old with my husband is a true luxury – I’m really enjoying it!
From the pageant perspective, I am greatly enjoying my reign. My appearances will continue until it’s time to crown my successor in October in Ocean City, Maryland. Once my reign has concluded, I will be retiring from pageant competition. I am happy and fulfilled with my career – I’ve been participating in pageants since I was 16 years old, and it’s time to hang up the stilettoes. It’s been a good run!
How can people contact you?
I have active social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook … simply look for username @aaclassicmrs24.
Any other information you would like to share?
I wouldn’t be a pageant girl if I didn’t take a moment to shine a light on my platforms! Our pageant’s national platform is “Operation We Care” – an amazing nonprofit organization that provides care packages to deployed soldiers as well as first responders.
Personally, I also promote “Love Yourself More: Self Care Is Health Care”. This movement is to encourage people – particularly women – to prioritize caring for their mental health in proactive and positive ways. Studies have shown that productive self-care drastically reduces the need for medication for mental health issues.