Testimonials
Here are some of our favorite success stories!
Emma Bishop
Miss Alabama Teen Volunteer 2026
"Since the day I started working with Mary Ann, she has poured so much encouragement, wisdom, and time into helping me grow. From interview prep to uplifting texts, she has been a mentor, a guide, and a friend. I truly would not feel as prepared or confident without her support, and I am so grateful to have her in my corner!"
Denver Findley
Miss Camellia State Teen 2026
"I am beyond grateful for Mary Ann and all the love, time, and wisdom she has poured into me—not only as I prepared for Miss Alabama Volunteer, but now as I take on this exciting year as Miss Camellia State Teen. Her guidance, encouragement, and belief in me have truly been life-changing. She has a gift for bringing out the best in me, helping me feel confident, prepared, and ready to shine on and off the stage. Knowing that I have her support gives me so much courage to embrace every opportunity this year has to offer. Thank you, Mary Ann, for always believing in me and helping me grow into the best version of myself—I wouldn’t be where I am without you."
Mary Madden
Miss Alabama Volunteer 2026
"I started competing in pageants whenever I was 7 years old. Little did I know that it would be the biggest blessing I’ve ever been graced with. Whenever it came to the interview phase of competition, I wanted to be myself, fully and authentically. Mary Ann saw so much in me that I failed to see before. She made me find true purpose and have genuine confidence within myself that I can achieve whatever I set my mind to. This year, I walked into Miss Alabama Volunteer with a totally different mindset than I had before. She taught me to share my story, don’t hold back, but then to also give yourself grace. I then walked out this year the overall talent winner, both preliminary evening gown and swimsuit winner, and the title of Miss Alabama Volunteer. But more importantly, I walked out a different woman. The woman little Mary always wanted to be."
Livi Thomas
Miss Alabama Volunteer 2024,
2nd Runner Up Miss Volunteer America 2024
"Mary Ann's help and support has been instrumental to my preparation process for Miss Volunteer America. I am so at peace leading into these next few weeks. She had such an important role in that feeling. Getting to know her over the past few months has been such a blessing & I am looking forward to continuing with her."
Ava Walters
Miss Alabama Teen Volunteer 2024
"To win any competition or scholarship you have to put in the work. You can’t just talk about it, you have to actually DO it. Miss Mary Ann is a worker! In addition, she is a kind person. She worked with me to help show how my personality could reflect my positivity on stage. Can’t wait for the next step."
Kaitlyn Funk
National Sweetheart 2024
"A massive thank you to Miss Mary Ann—my Angel on Earth, especially throughout the interview prep process. Your support has been invaluable, and I can’t express how much it has meant to me. No matter how nervous I was or how many challenges I faced, you were always there to guide me, offer constructive feedback, and boost my confidence. We've worked through so much together, and “thank you” feels like it barely scratches the surface of my appreciation. I deeply cherish all your time and effort, and I will forever be grateful for your role in my journey as National Sweetheart."
Emma Danaher
Miss Vermont's Teen 2025
"I am endlessly grateful for Mary Ann’s support. She has such a kind soul and is truly amazing at her job. Her encouragement and insightful feedback made all of the difference in my growth. She offered critiques for my interview that I never heard before and completely transformed my approach!"
Rachel Kiel
Distinguished Young Woman of Iowa 2025
"Mary Ann has grown to be an amazing role model in my life. She has volunteered her own personal time to help me be the best version of myself. She has put a tremendous amount of effort into helping me prepare for this scholarship competition and encouraged me every step along the way. The interview skills that I learned from her will stick with me forever. Thank you so much for everything, Mary Ann! You are the best."
Lisa Kiel
Mother to Rachel Kiel
"Mary Ann is one of the smartest, most professional, and awe inspiring people that I know. I have had the privilege of knowing her since were RAs together back in college. Since then she has bravely served our country in the army, raised a family, cared for aging loved ones around her, moved up through the ranks in public education, inspired and mentored young children, and volunteered to make her community a better place."
Amya Williams
Distinguished Young Woman of Kansas 2025
"Ms. Mary Ann Faias Hotaling is truly one of a kind. She saw my potential and recommended me to compete in the Distinguished Young Woman scholarship program which helped me grow in various ways. These opportunities have opened so many doors and I couldn’t have done it without her help. She truly gets to know you as a person and develops the talents you are blessed with. I can rest assured knowing she has my best interest at heart and she will work hard to help me accomplish my dreams. I couldn’t recommend her more!"
Sharon Bright
Mother of Annabelle Bright,
University of Connecticut,
Class of 2028
"I knew even a small amount of time with Mary Ann would make a big difference for Annabelle applying to colleges. Mary Ann immediately started sending resources and meeting with us. I have been so impressed with the level of communication!Mary Ann made it easy for Annabelle to not only complete but polish her common app, her personal essay, and gave great advice on how to quickly secure her letters of recommendation. With my youngest starting high school next year, I look forward to having Mary Ann’s services throughout her 4 years."
Lisa Bryant
Mother to Jayse Bryant,
University of Alabama-Huntsville,
Class of 2028
"Thank you Mary Ann Faias Hotaling for being so kind and attentive to Jayse and me. We really enjoyed meeting and working with her. It is so evident she truly loves what she does with Down South Prep, LLC. I only wish we had met her sooner. I highly recommend Mary Ann to build your child's college portfolio. And believe me, it's never too early to start."
Hope Edmonds
Distinguished Young Woman of Kansas 2016
“Mary Ann was amazing at helping me prepare for the Kansas Distinguished Young Woman program! I had never competed in any pageants or scholarship programs before. She prepped me in all the interview questions and helped teach me how to walk and shine on the stage! Without her coaching I wouldn’t have won in Kansas!”
Shellie Willis
Renowned America's Select Veteran 2022
"MaryAnn Hotaling is an investor and architect that I will recommend to anyone at any age regardless whether they are new or experienced in the world of pageantry and are ready to elevate themselves through empowered mindfulness. She is very clear in her expectation and has a specific way of redefining your ability to believe you can win!"
Bella Whitlock
Miss Kansas Teen Volunteer 2023,
Miss Kansas USA 2024
"Mary Ann assisted me in maximizing my strengths, helped me with a plan to reach my pageant goals, and we refined and perfected my pageant performance. Mary Ann is honest with you, and yet so encouraging – my own personal cheerleader! In October 2022, I won the title of Miss Kansas Teen Volunteer, but better yet I took home Top Interview! I literally could not have done it without Mary Ann."
Reagan Curtis
Miss Florida Teen USA Ambassador & Nationals 2nd Runner Up 2014
"Mrs. Hotaling is the absolute best in the business! Years ago, she convinced me to compete in my first pageant. Even though I was unfamiliar with the pageant world, her coaching and guidance gave me the confidence I needed to compete! Her experience and expertise is guaranteed to make your pageant experience absolutely unforgettable!"
Daylan Williams
United States Military Academy, Graduate Class of 2023
"She prepared me successfully for interviews and essays which resulted in me winning an Army ROTC Scholarship and earning an appointment to West Point. Her diverse background provided me the tools experiences, and passion to help others reach their full potential in life. She will do the same for anyone who wants to reach their full potential."
Izzy Kate Priest
Miss Smith Lake Teen Volunteer 2022,
Distinguished Young Woman of Morgan County 2024
"Mary Ann has an excellent rapport with teens and made sure to she understood everything that was discussed and the ins and outs of pageants. She followed up with our daughter before the pageant to make sure she was on a pathway towards a successful pageant experience. She was a calming presence and allowed our daughter to have a successful pageant."
Emily Reeves
United States Air Force Academy, Graduate Class of 2023
"I worked with Mrs. Hotaling several times on how to create my opening statement, how to answer questions in a poised and confident manner, and how to adjust to challenging questions on my feet. To this day, I use the skills I worked on with her to become a proficient and confident interviewer. nstead of getting nervous, I get excited for interviews and I owe some of that confidence to Mrs. Hotaling and her interview prep."