Forever Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Gree(n)tings everyone,

I hope you and yours are doing well. I have been blessed and highly favored, to God be the glory. So on April 3rd, I did my final task as reigning Miss Earth Maryland 2015 and crown the 2016 queen at the Miss Earth United States - 2016 DC Regional Pageant. Over the past year, it has been an honor and pleasure serving my blue crab state and I couldn't have prayed for a better way to end this chapter of my life as I did at the pageant.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

As Miss Earth Maryland, I had the opportunity to travel across the Old Line State visiting middle and high schools talking to students about mining, as well as advocating for a sustainable future for the mining industry, and promoting environmentally-friendly practices in our homes, workplace, and communities. It was an honor being crowned Miss Beauties for a Cause for my platform at Miss Earth USA 2015, which I am very passionate about. It's been wonderful being part of the international Miss Earth organization. Below are some photos from the pageant, as well as a video from my farewell walk. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

On-Stage Question

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson presents Beauty for a Cause Award to Erika Baldwin

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson presents Miss Congeniality Award to Liz Nguyen

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson crowns Junior Miss Virginia Earth United States 2016 Covonna Bynum

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson crowns Elite Miss Maryland Earth United States 2016 Tracey Hirsch

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson crowns Miss District of Columbia Earth United States 2016 Shawna Melvin

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson crowns Miss Virginia Earth United States 2016 Erika Baldwin

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson crowns Miss Maryland Earth 2016 Yashvi Aware

Miss Maryland Earth 2016 Yashvi Aware and Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Thank you, MARYLAND.
I love you.

Although my reign is over, you can stay updated on my current and future adventures on my social media accounts. Follow me on Instagram/Twitter @Ruby_B_Johnson as well as on Facebook. My personal blog is Restored For God's Glory, check it out.

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Autism Awareness Month

Gree(n)tings everyone,

I hope you and yours are doing well. I am doing great, thanks be to God. April is Autism Awareness Month. Last November 15th, I volunteered for Baltimore's Walk Now for Autism Speaks. Here are some photos below from the event. Since I was in high school, I have always been passionate about autism awareness after serving as a camp counselor at a camp for children with autism.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Autism Awareness: Together We Can Solve The Puzzle

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

2015 USA Earth Grand Pageant

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I am doing well, just recuperating from nationals last week. If you follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, then you know how it all went through my social media updates. I had an amazing time, learned a lot from the weekend, and truly an awesome once in a lifetime experience. I represented myself and Maryland with pride and purpose, and thankful to the Almighty for everything. I won Miss Beauties for a Cause along with a gold medal for my BFAC initiative, and received 2nd Runner Up for Miss Grand USA 2015.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015
Miss Beauties for a Cause (USA) 2015
Miss Grand USA 2015 2nd Runner Up

Tree planting activity
Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Trash to Glam Fashion Show Prep
Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Throughout the weekend, I got to meet so many amazing people and was glad to have crossed paths with them. From this, I have gained valuable friendships from some of the women and now a place to stay when I visit their states. The national director, staff, and volunteers of the U.S. Earth Grand pageant did their best to give all the delegates a memorable experience and I am humbled to have been part of Class of 2015. The activities and events were awesome, and enjoyed being in the West Coast for the first time. Congratulations to the women who were crowned, as well as all the delegates nationwide. Wishing them all the best in their future endeavors.

Miss Beauties for a Cause (USA) Ruby B. Johnson from Maryland and Miss Teen Earth USA 2015 Alyssa Alvarado from Texas

Miss Beauties for a Cause (USA) Ruby B. Johnson from Maryland and Miss Earth United States 2015 Brittany Payne from California

I am so grateful for all the prayers and love received throughout my time there, and thankful for my amazing family, friends, and sponsors. My journey would have been much tougher if I didn't have all of you. I believe in myself, and I'm grateful that you also believe in me. I will continue promoting my initiative, "Bridging The Gap: Miners and Environmentalists Must Work Together for Mother Earth!" The journey is not over for me, so stay tuned!


Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015
Your Miss Grand United States 2015 2nd Runner Up

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Volunteers at So Others Might Eat

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing well, thanks be to God! I can't believe that in 4 days Miss Earth United States 2015 pageant weekend officially commences. I have truly enjoyed this journey as Miss Earth Maryland 2015 and serving the Old Line state. The preparation for the job of Miss Earth United States and the national pageant has enhanced my skills as well as pushed me out of my comfort zone in many ways. If you'll like to follow my preparation and journey, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Yesterday, Sunday July 19th, I volunteered at So Others Might Eat (SOME).

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Ms. Kristy (SOME hostess) and Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

SOME Volunteers: Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson  with Public Health Service officers

Yesterday morning/afternoon I served lunch along with other volunteers in the dining room. I have been volunteering at SOME for the past 3 years. SOME is an interfaith, community-based organization that helps the poor and homeless of our nation's capital, District of Columbia. SOME tries to meet the immediate daily needs of the people by providing food, clothing, and health care; they break the cycle of homelessness by offering services, such as affordable housing, job training, addiction treatment, and counseling, to the poor, the elderly and individuals with mental illness.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson with SOME staff members, Ms. Spring and Ms. Kristy

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

USA: Proudly American
Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Interview on WBFF Fox45 Morning News

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing awesome, thanks be to God! I can't believe that 3 days from today I'll be on a plane heading to Ontario, California for the 2015 Miss Earth USA 2015 pageant to represent my beautiful Blue Crab state! My time of service as Miss Earth Maryland has been one of the greatest experiences of my life thus far, given me the opportunity to learn a lot as well as travel and meet amazing people. Now, I am looking forward to the experience in California and trusting God for favor in the final results on July 26th. This past Saturday, July 18th, I had a live interview on WBFF Fox45's Morning News in their Baltimore studios.

Miss Earth Maryland USA 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland USA 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

The TV interview was a success. I had a great time talking with Tony Pagnotti. Thanks to Fox 45, especially the Morning News producer, Marie Mandelberg, for having me and giving me the opportunity to talk about being Miss Earth Maryland, my Beauties for a Cause initiative, mining, and many more! Special thanks to all who tuned in to watch the interview via television or online. The full interview is posted on the Fox Baltimore website. Check it out!

VIDEO

Miss Earth Maryland USA 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland USA 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

My outfit for the interview: bright orange jumpsuit! Did you know that orange is associated with joy and the tropics, and represents happiness, creativity, and determination? It's also a key color for Maryland's baseball team, Baltimore Orioles. The Baltimore oriole is our state bird!

Miss Earth Maryland USA 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

9 days till Miss Earth United States 2015 Pageant

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I'm doing well, thanks be to God! I can't believe that in 9 days Miss Earth United States 2015 pageant weekend officially commences. I have truly enjoyed this journey as Miss Earth Maryland 2015 and serving my Blue Crab state. The preparation for the job of Miss Earth United States and the national pageant has enhanced my skills as well as pushed me out of my comfort zone in many ways. This is one of the reasons why I love the Miss Earth system because it empowers women to be well-rounded in embracing womanhood, being compassionate, and as well as champions for our environment. I am a woman of the earth! If you'll like to follow my preparation and journey, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. The hashtag on all social media is #MDforMEUS

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson
Official Headshot for Miss Earth United States Pageant
Photo by Prince Zamira Photography

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

I am a firm believer that it takes a village to create a phenomenal woman and man. Therefore, I am so grateful for those in and outside of my circle who have been influential in my life, and those I have crossed paths with in various ways. I am thankful for my blessings and lessons in this journey thus far. I am grateful to my sponsors: mom, dad, family, and friends; Dr. Fuambai Sia Ahmadu (CEO of Miss Sierra Leone USA Leadership Pageant); Prince Zamira Photography; and FO Fitness. Additionally, I am so grateful for my pageant mentor, Ms. Bonnie, for polishing my talents and challenging me to be the best Ruby I can be. In the time leading towards the national pageant, I have been getting ready dilligently so I can be the full package in representing my Old Line State and being the best of myself. I am ready for the job as Miss Earth United States.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

What I love about Miss Earth is its unique mission of advocating for the preservation of our environment; among the many international pageants, it is the only pageant that advocates for a cause like this and gives women a platform to be "Beauties for a Cause." Having received my undergraduate degree in mining engineering from Virginia Tech, my field of interest directly impacts the earth. Therefore, I am using this platform as a Miss Earth titleholder to advocate for my passion of mining but also promote and cultivate ways that the industry moves towards a sustainable future. It is possible for an individual to support the mining industry but also care about the environment. Hence the reason my platform is "Bridging The Gap: Miners and Environmentalists Must Work Together for Mother Earth!" I am looking forward to sharing this platform with everyone at nationals, and nationwide as Miss Earth United States 2015.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

The three great elemental sounds in nature are the sound of rain, the sound of wind in a primeval wood, and the sound of outer ocean on a beach. - American writer and naturalist Henry Beston.

Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Tours Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station

Gree(n)tings everyone!!!

I hope you and yours are doing well. I've been busy getting ready for nationals but also continuing my service as Miss Earth Maryland exploring my beautiful state and advocating for my Beauties for a Cause project. I'm so excited that two weeks from today I'll be getting ready to head to California for the opportunity for the job of Miss Earth United States. I've been working a lot and smart as Miss Earth Maryland, and by God's grace I hope to continue this on a bigger platform as Miss Earth US. All modesty aside, I want this really bad but as a Christ-believer, I know it's in God's hands. If you'll like to follow my preparation and journey, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

On Monday, July 6, I took a tour of the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station in Derwood, Maryland. This is the first stop for all recycled materials and wastes in Montgomery County. Residents can also drop off various wastes such as electronics, batteries, yard waste, clothing and textiles, scrap metals, etc. Being in the recycling center reminded me of a mine processing plants because of the conveyor system, front-end loaders, trommels, etc. they use to transport, sort, and breakdown the materials. For foot safety, I wore my steel-toe boots to the plant. During the tour, I wore earplugs in the plant, because it is very loud in there with all the machines in operation. I am so proud to be a Montgomery County resident, a county that is environmentally- and socially-responsible. Special thanks to Mr. Edward Murtagh of GreenWheaton for taking me to the plant, showing me around, and explaining the processes in details.

Miss Earth Maryland Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson
Green Queen: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The 3Rs: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - The triangle in the recycling sign represents the Waste Hierarchy. The universal recycling symbol was created in 1970 by college student Gary Anderson as part of a contest tied to the very first Earth Day. Each arrow of the design represents one of the steps in the recycling process: collecting the recyclable goods after use, breaking them down and reforming them, and then packaging new products in the containers.

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson
Panoramic view of recycling plant
Click photo to enlarge

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Miss Earth Maryland 2015 Ruby B. Johnson

Here's a link of where recyclables and trash are received and processed in Montgomery County.



Ruby B. Johnson,

Your Miss Earth Maryland 2015

Continuing the legacy of beauty and responsibility

Help me compete at Miss Earth United States 2015. DONATE HERE