KeNiesha Watkins-Bernard is a middle school theater teacher born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky. She is also the new Mrs. USA Universe, which is for married women.
I spoke with her about her roots in Kentucky, her foray into pageants and how she is using her pageant wins to inspire and motivate her Louisville students.
Our conversation has been edited for clarity and length.
You’re originally from Kentucky?
Yes, I’m from Louisville. I went to the Youth Performing Arts School in Louisville, and then my undergrad is in theater from University of Kentucky. Go Cats!
I have a masters in education from Indiana University SouthEast.
How did you get started in pageants?
Middle school theater teacher, KeNiesha Watkins-Bernard, right before her August 13, 2024, Mrs. USA Universe pageant.
I am a late bloomer but I didn’t let that stop me. This is something I always wanted to do.
I was in my first pageant for Mrs. Black Kentucky. I won Mrs. Kentucky Universe in 2024. And now I just won Mrs. USA Universe.
What do you teach?
I am a theater teacher at Meyzeek Middle School, and I teach grades six, seven and eight. This is my 10th year teaching. I started in Indiana where I ran the theater department and then I moved back to Louisville, KY, where I am from, and started working for Jefferson County Public Schools.
What did your students say when you started on this pageant path?
KeNiesha Watkins-Bernard teaches theater class at Meyzeek Middle School in Louisville, Kentucky.
The funniest thing is how happy they are for me. School is just starting and some of the kids I don’t know yet asked me “Are you Mrs. USA Universe? I am going to take your class next year.”
“All right,” I told them “see you there!”
One of the reasons I want to do this is because I want to get kids into theater. You have to do your tap dance and sell it, and once the kids get in they’re like “theater is life.”
How are you going to translate this win into your classwork.
My platform for my pageant is making sure theater arts are in schools and teaching through theater. I want kids to know that anyone can be a “theater kid.” So, the first part of my unit that I do is improv so the kids can get comfortable in their own skin. I think pageants show that you can be confident, you can be beautiful and you can be anything you want to be.
That is what improv is about: being your authentic self.
What was your favorite part of the pageant?
I met some really awesome women. I think I made some lifelong friends in this pageant already. Sometimes it’s hard to meet a good friend when you’re an adult.
Anything you’d like to say that I didn’t ask you?
I am really grateful with people listening to my message about theater and how it’s so important in urban communities. It’s been very nice.
Any plans for more pageants?
Well, I have to win one for America! Mrs. Universe World International pageant is next year in August. That’s where I will compete with other women from around the world.
CARLI PIERSON
Carli Pierson is the Opinion/Voices editor at USA TODAY. You can follow her on X (formerly Twitter) @CarliPiersonESQ.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mrs. USA Universe winner, JCPS teacher says, win is for theater arts
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Publish date : 2024-08-31 21:45:00
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