PageantPrep, founded in 1999, has been recognized as a 2022 Top 10 Pageant Coach by Pageant Planet, 2018 Best in Pageantry Award Winner: Top 10 Best Pageant Coach by Pageant Planet, 2020, 2019 and 2016 Best Pageant Coach Nominee by Pageant Planet and recognized as one of the Top 5 Best Pageant Coaching Companies nationwide by the 2014 Prestige Pageantry Awards.
The PageantPrep team has decades of experience not only competing in and judging pageants, but perfecting their craft and creating winners in over 40 pageant systems. The PageantPrep Team has the most highly educated and experienced team of pageant professionals in the industry.
This means we have an incomparable knowledge of the industry both behind the scenes and as coaches and official sponsors of multiple state and international pageants. When you work with PageantPrep you get the highest level of professionalism and a proven track record of success.
The PageantPrep team has decades of experience not only competing in and judging pageants, but perfecting their craft and creating winners in over 40 pageant systems. The PageantPrep Team has the most highly educated and experienced team of pageant professionals in the industry.
This means we have an incomparable knowledge of the industry both behind the scenes and as coaches and official sponsors of multiple state and international pageants. When you work with PageantPrep you get the highest level of professionalism and a proven track record of success.
Erika Kruse Weller, Founder; Interview and Communications
PageantPrep was founded in 1999 by former practicing attorney, law school and college professor Erika Kruse Weller. The daughter of a Top 5 Finalist at Miss America, and whose family produced a Miss America state pageant for years, she grew up in and around the pageant world learning all the insider industry secrets along the way.
Given her educational degrees in English and law as well as her college and law school teaching experience as a professor, Erika decided to combine her skills as one of the top lawyers in the state with her pageantry background and created PageantPrep to help contestants attain the pageant title of their dreams.
Her successful professional career was based on speaking and writing persuasively, effective communication and strong presentation skills under pressure and she uses those talents to help you master your interview and communication skills both in person and through your contestant paperwork.
Her coaching has helped hundreds of clients achieve the pageant title of their dreams in local, state, national and international pageant systems (and beyond) in both their personal and professional pursuits. Pageant Directors have trusted her and her team to coach their state winners for nationals for years.
She has served as a pageant competition judge for the Miss USA system, the Miss Teen USA system, National American Miss and many others.
Given her educational degrees in English and law as well as her college and law school teaching experience as a professor, Erika decided to combine her skills as one of the top lawyers in the state with her pageantry background and created PageantPrep to help contestants attain the pageant title of their dreams.
Her successful professional career was based on speaking and writing persuasively, effective communication and strong presentation skills under pressure and she uses those talents to help you master your interview and communication skills both in person and through your contestant paperwork.
Her coaching has helped hundreds of clients achieve the pageant title of their dreams in local, state, national and international pageant systems (and beyond) in both their personal and professional pursuits. Pageant Directors have trusted her and her team to coach their state winners for nationals for years.
She has served as a pageant competition judge for the Miss USA system, the Miss Teen USA system, National American Miss and many others.
Amy Diaz Case, Onstage Presence and Image Expert
Amy, a former PageantPrep client herself, is the leading pageantry expert for onstage presence and image consultation including, walking, turning, poise and appearance, and image consultation for state, national, and international competitions.
Recently recognized by the United Pageant League in the 2020 Top 100 All Time Great List, Amy has an exceptional pageant and competition background, having earned numerous state and national titles, as well as competing at the international level. She was crowned 2017 Mrs. Rhode Island America and placed Top 15 at the 2017 Mrs. America pageant, was crowned 2010 Miss U.S. Tourism Intercontinental USA placing 2nd Runner Up at Miss Tourism Intercontinental, 2009 Miss Earth United States, 2008 Miss Rhode Island USA (Top 15 at Miss USA), 2004 Miss Latina International and 2001 Miss Rhode Island Teen USA. She also earned her WBFF Pro Card at the 2013 Fitness Atlantic competition.
She has served as a competition judge for Miss Dominican Republic US, Miss Indiana USA/Teen USA, Miss Pennsylvania USA/Teen USA, Miss New Jersey USA, Miss Maine USA/Teen USA, , Miss Vermont USA/Teen USA, Miss West Virginia USA/Teen USA,Connecticut National American Miss, Massachusetts National American Miss, Miss Maine USA/Teen USA, and Miss Rhode Island Latina and an emcee for Miss/Teen Rhode Island USA.
Recently recognized by the United Pageant League in the 2020 Top 100 All Time Great List, Amy has an exceptional pageant and competition background, having earned numerous state and national titles, as well as competing at the international level. She was crowned 2017 Mrs. Rhode Island America and placed Top 15 at the 2017 Mrs. America pageant, was crowned 2010 Miss U.S. Tourism Intercontinental USA placing 2nd Runner Up at Miss Tourism Intercontinental, 2009 Miss Earth United States, 2008 Miss Rhode Island USA (Top 15 at Miss USA), 2004 Miss Latina International and 2001 Miss Rhode Island Teen USA. She also earned her WBFF Pro Card at the 2013 Fitness Atlantic competition.
She has served as a competition judge for Miss Dominican Republic US, Miss Indiana USA/Teen USA, Miss Pennsylvania USA/Teen USA, Miss New Jersey USA, Miss Maine USA/Teen USA, , Miss Vermont USA/Teen USA, Miss West Virginia USA/Teen USA,Connecticut National American Miss, Massachusetts National American Miss, Miss Maine USA/Teen USA, and Miss Rhode Island Latina and an emcee for Miss/Teen Rhode Island USA.
A cum laude graduate of Barry University, after competing her undergraduate degree she completed dual Master degrees in Business Administration and Sport Management. Bilingual, and a trained dancer for over 12 years, for the past 15 years Amy has been a national commercial actress and model for English and Spanish markets. She has worked in media and production since 1999, and has been a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) member since 2000. Amy was a co-host of “Social Women,” a Rhode Island talk-show and entertainment program.
She has traveled the world as a motivational speaker and spokeswoman, and has been actively involved with several charitable organizations and causes such as the American Heart Association, Save the Bay, A Wish Come True, Groundwork Providence, Breast Cancer Awareness, and AIDS Project RI as an HIV Prevention Educator. In 2013, Amy was nominated for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Man & Woman of the Year Award. |
Amy competed on the 23rd season of CBS's reality program The Amazing Race with her now-husband, Jason Case and won the one million dollar grand prize and the Amazing Race 23 title. Amy is the mother of 5 children and describes herself as zealous with a vivacious personality and versatile interests including photography, scrapbooking, yoga, traveling, fishing, and cooking.
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Read more about Amy at the following links:
http://www.hispaniclifestyle.com/articles/entertainment/latina-of-influence-amy-diaz http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/12/09/local-couple-wins-the-amazing-race/ http://www.providencejournal.com/features/lifestyle/style/20140309-style-profile-amazing-race-winner-amy-diaz-on-her-favorite-fashions.ece |
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Kelsey Swanson, Walking Coach
Kelsey Swanson, our newest addition to the PageantPrep team conducts onstage presence sessions both online and in person to perfect each client's walk, poses, turns and overall carriage and confidence on stage.
Kelsey first competed for the title of Miss Rhode Island USA 2015 and 2016 where she placed 1st runner up each time. She then went on to compete to win the title of Miss Rhode Island USA 2017. Her title gave her the opportunity to compete at a national level in Las Vegas at Miss USA and learn from some of the leading pageant professionals in the nation.
Kelsey first competed for the title of Miss Rhode Island USA 2015 and 2016 where she placed 1st runner up each time. She then went on to compete to win the title of Miss Rhode Island USA 2017. Her title gave her the opportunity to compete at a national level in Las Vegas at Miss USA and learn from some of the leading pageant professionals in the nation.

Kelsey is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island where she obtained a degree in Psychology. She is currently a real estate agent at Lila Delman International and is pursuing a degree in Interior Design. After her pageant career she became a freelance makeup artist for weddings and pageant contestants. Kelsey has been fortunate to have been able to travel the world; since the age of 18, she has visited over 21 countries.
Kelsey is a former PageantPrep client herself. She dedicates much of her success to the training she received at PageantPrep and has been able to use her knowledge and skills to coach new pageant contestants including a recent winner of Miss Rhode Island Teen USA.
Kelsey is a former PageantPrep client herself. She dedicates much of her success to the training she received at PageantPrep and has been able to use her knowledge and skills to coach new pageant contestants including a recent winner of Miss Rhode Island Teen USA.
Elena Jackvony, Online Interview Specialist
Elena joined the PageantPrep team in 2017 as our online interview specialist and provides online interview coaching to our clients all over the United States and internationally.
Elena graduated from Providence College and earned her law degree from Southern New England School of Law. After graduating from law school she decided to become an educator at one of the most prestigious private schools in the country, teaching students for the last twenty years and becoming the Director of the Learning and Enrichment Center.
Her extensive experience as an educator and advisor, combined with her law degree, masters degree and bachelors degree make the perfect combination of educational experience and background to help you take your pageant interview to the next level. Her professional career has been dedicated to personal development and helping others communicate effectively, and she uses those skills to help you shine through your interview and communication skills.
In addition, Elena has over 5 years experience in the pageant industry in the Miss America's Outstanding Teen program, Miss High School America program, and Miss Teen USA program having assisted her daughter at both the state and national level.
Elena will teach you step by step the secrets to really impress your pageant interview judges, as well as guide you through those tough political and current event questions, and perfect your performance so you know exactly how to successfully answer your onstage final questions with confidence!
Elena graduated from Providence College and earned her law degree from Southern New England School of Law. After graduating from law school she decided to become an educator at one of the most prestigious private schools in the country, teaching students for the last twenty years and becoming the Director of the Learning and Enrichment Center.
Her extensive experience as an educator and advisor, combined with her law degree, masters degree and bachelors degree make the perfect combination of educational experience and background to help you take your pageant interview to the next level. Her professional career has been dedicated to personal development and helping others communicate effectively, and she uses those skills to help you shine through your interview and communication skills.
In addition, Elena has over 5 years experience in the pageant industry in the Miss America's Outstanding Teen program, Miss High School America program, and Miss Teen USA program having assisted her daughter at both the state and national level.
Elena will teach you step by step the secrets to really impress your pageant interview judges, as well as guide you through those tough political and current event questions, and perfect your performance so you know exactly how to successfully answer your onstage final questions with confidence!
Caitlin O'Neill, Interview Coach
Caitlin entered the pageant world at the age of 10 years old, competing for over 13 years at the local, state, national, and international level. She was a PageantPrep girl herself, working with Erika as a client for 5 years. Caitlin has placed nationally and internationally and held over 10 titles including Miss Rhode Island North America, International United Miss Massachusetts, and National American Miss Massachusetts Teen.
Caitlin graduated magna cum laude from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Communications and a double minor in Journalism and Public Relations. She currently works as a Marketing Supervisor at The TJX Companies, Inc. on the Marshalls brand team.
With a passion for health and nutrition, Caitlin received her certificate in plant-based nutrition through the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies at Cornell University and is a certified reiki healer. Through her online platform “Radiate With Cait” she shares her passions of health, wellness, and holistic healing. In her free time, she enjoys watching reality tv, going on hikes & creating healthy versions of her favorite sweet desserts.
The teachings and mentorship from Erika and the PagentPrep team guided Caitlin to her pageant successes and she is excited to do the same for her clients.
Caitlin graduated magna cum laude from the University of Rhode Island with a degree in Communications and a double minor in Journalism and Public Relations. She currently works as a Marketing Supervisor at The TJX Companies, Inc. on the Marshalls brand team.
With a passion for health and nutrition, Caitlin received her certificate in plant-based nutrition through the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies at Cornell University and is a certified reiki healer. Through her online platform “Radiate With Cait” she shares her passions of health, wellness, and holistic healing. In her free time, she enjoys watching reality tv, going on hikes & creating healthy versions of her favorite sweet desserts.
The teachings and mentorship from Erika and the PagentPrep team guided Caitlin to her pageant successes and she is excited to do the same for her clients.
Danielle Janco, Financial Coach
East coast native and Jersey girl, Danielle Janco, was introduced to PageantPrep during her quest for the title of Miss New Jersey USA 2020. Danielle recently moved back East after pursuing her performance career in Los Angeles for the past six years and was determined to work with the best in the industry, since this would be her last year of eligibility. Only problem was, Danielle was broke.
Single-handedly, Danielle created her own marketing campaign through virtual funding platforms and social media to not only reach her financial goal of raising $5,000 towards her pageant expenses, but superseding her goal to earn a total of $6,200. Danielle's unique program allowed her to raise enough funds to work with the top pageant coaches and photographers, and purchase her dream gown and more with NO financial stress.
Inspired by her journey, Erika invited Danielle to become a part of the PageantPrep Team to provide one on one personal guidance to young women all over the world on how they too can accomplish their financial pageant goals and achieve their dreams!
In addition to coaching for PageantPrep, Danielle is the owner of her own Math & SAT-Tutoring Business, is a SAG-AFTRA Union Actress & Choreographer and was nominated amongst top choreographers, Debbie Allen and Joe Tremaine as Backstage's 2016 Readers' Choice Favorite Dance Instructor in Los Angeles. Danielle's extensive on-stage and on-camera experience, her passion to educate others and knack for marketing paved the way for the creation of the “How to NOT Pay for Your Pageant” video and her financial coaching services with PageantPrep.
Single-handedly, Danielle created her own marketing campaign through virtual funding platforms and social media to not only reach her financial goal of raising $5,000 towards her pageant expenses, but superseding her goal to earn a total of $6,200. Danielle's unique program allowed her to raise enough funds to work with the top pageant coaches and photographers, and purchase her dream gown and more with NO financial stress.
Inspired by her journey, Erika invited Danielle to become a part of the PageantPrep Team to provide one on one personal guidance to young women all over the world on how they too can accomplish their financial pageant goals and achieve their dreams!
In addition to coaching for PageantPrep, Danielle is the owner of her own Math & SAT-Tutoring Business, is a SAG-AFTRA Union Actress & Choreographer and was nominated amongst top choreographers, Debbie Allen and Joe Tremaine as Backstage's 2016 Readers' Choice Favorite Dance Instructor in Los Angeles. Danielle's extensive on-stage and on-camera experience, her passion to educate others and knack for marketing paved the way for the creation of the “How to NOT Pay for Your Pageant” video and her financial coaching services with PageantPrep.
Marilyn Cocozza Trillo, Talent Consultant
Marilyn Cocozza Trillo, our vocal and talent expert from the MCT Vocal Performance Studio, has been working with PageantPrep clients since 1999 to help them achieve the pageant title of their dreams.
A former Rhode Island Junior Miss, national Junior Miss semifinalist, Miss Rhode Island America and 3rd Runner Up to Miss America (holding the record for highest Miss America placement in RI history), Marilyn won a Preliminary Talent Award at Miss America and was invited back the following year to perform during the Miss America telecast.
A graduate of Anna Maria College where she received her degree in music, Marilyn has served as a competition judge and official chaperone for the Miss America Organization for many years, bringing valuable insight not only as a state winner and national finalist, but as judge and program staff.
Her clients have included Deborah St. Vil, 2010 Miss Rhode Island, Top 15 at Miss America and national Preliminary Talent Award Winner; Juliana Strout, 2009 Miss Rhode Island America, and national Nonfinalist Talent Award Winner, Francesca Simone, 2008 Miss Rhode Island America and Quality of Life national Finalist.
A former Rhode Island Junior Miss, national Junior Miss semifinalist, Miss Rhode Island America and 3rd Runner Up to Miss America (holding the record for highest Miss America placement in RI history), Marilyn won a Preliminary Talent Award at Miss America and was invited back the following year to perform during the Miss America telecast.
A graduate of Anna Maria College where she received her degree in music, Marilyn has served as a competition judge and official chaperone for the Miss America Organization for many years, bringing valuable insight not only as a state winner and national finalist, but as judge and program staff.
Her clients have included Deborah St. Vil, 2010 Miss Rhode Island, Top 15 at Miss America and national Preliminary Talent Award Winner; Juliana Strout, 2009 Miss Rhode Island America, and national Nonfinalist Talent Award Winner, Francesca Simone, 2008 Miss Rhode Island America and Quality of Life national Finalist.
![]() Marilyn's 3rd Runner-Up placement at Miss America is the state's best ever. She won a preliminary talent award accompanying herself on the piano as she sang "I Have Confidence."
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