— Photo by Lyssa Noel

Ms. American Beauty 2015: Erin Ford, a Guilderland native, is crowned in Orlando, Florida, on June 24. Ford was crowned Ms. New York American Beauty in October, which earned her the opportunity to compete for the national title. The 32-year-old, a 2002 graduate of Guilderland High School, works as a makeup artist, model, and fashion show producer. Ford decided, after turning 30 and giving birth to her son, Max, to pursue her dream of competing in pageants. “My goal is to inspire women of all ages that it’s never too late to accomplish your dreams,” she said in a press statement. She plans to do community work focusing on women’s and children’s issues.