Mrs. Louisiana USA Universal, Lori Tantawi Crowned 2015 Winner of the 3rd Annual Mrs. USA Universal Pageant

NEW ORLEANS - July 7, 2015 - PRLog -- In front of a global audience, Mrs. Louisiana, Lori Tantawi was crowned Mrs. USA Universal at The Peppermill Resort Spa Casino on June 18, 2015. Contestants were judged in four categories: interview, fitness, evening gown and onstage question. Leading up to the pageant, which was viewed live and via webcast, the Mrs. USA Universal contestants were hosted by the resort in Reno, Nevada.

Tantawi is the first Mrs. Louisiana to take home the coveted Mrs. USA Universal crown and title. A Counter Intelligence/Human Intelligence Operations Manager with the U.S. Army, she retired with the rank of Captain and is now a model and actress residing in New Orleans. Tantawi’s platform is the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization and movement close to her heart as both she and her husband are wounded warriors. “As a Wounded Warrior battling depression, anxiety and PTSD, I want to remove the negative stigma that prevents service members and civilians from getting help. I also want to serve as an inspiration to others battling mental illness by sharing my experiences, and increase public awareness and understanding by supporting organizations such as the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) in their mission to honor and empower veterans and provide supportive programs to post 9/11 veterans and their families,” she shared upon winning her title. “I'm also focusing on suicide prevention.  The number of veterans committing suicide is too high. One death from suicide is more than enough and it is preventable. Due to my personal experiences with being suicidal, I have a unique opportunity to reach out to others in order to help them prevent their loved ones from taking their own life and also help those who might be contemplating it.”

Tantawi will soon be sharing her platform at the Mrs. Universe Pageant in Belarus on August 23, 2015. When asked her advice for other women contemplating entering into a pageant, Tantawi stated, “Be prepared to learn. You will meet people from all walks of life and all experience levels. You will learn something valuable from everyone. Pageants are a great way to draw attention to your cause. Be prepared to make a plan on how you are going to spread awareness about your platform. Your reign will go by quickly and you want to get the most out of your time.”

As the 2015 winner of the Mrs. USA Universal crown, Tantawi also won a prize package worth $12,000. Entry is now open for 2016 State titles for Mrs. USA Universal. Taking “Mrs.” pageantry to an entirely new level, Mrs. USA Universal is seeking titleholders who exemplify poise, beauty, empowerment, accomplishment and a commitment to her marriage and family. If you want to partner with the most respected pageant system in the nation, contact Victoria Hughes - you could be Mrs. USA Universal 2016!