First Indian American Miss Virginia USA  to compete for Miss USA pageant August 4

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Himanvi Panidepu of Centreville, Virginia, the first-ever Indian American to win the Miss Virginia USA pageant this June 23, is on her way to Los Angeles to compete in the Miss USA competition August 4, 2024. She also holds the title of Miss Virginia Teen USA, which she won in 2018, making her the only Indian American to have both titles.

Her Linkedin profile shows Panidepu is a Virginia Tech graduate with a dual degree in Business Information Technology with a concentration in Cybersecurity and Management specializing in  Analytics and Consulting, with a minor in Data and Decisions. She is currently a Cybersecurity Consultant with Ernst & Young in Dallas, Texas, “Seeking opportunities with a values focused organization that would allow me to utilize my business education, leadership skills, and innovative mindset while gaining industry experience,” she says on Linkedin, adding, “I’m very interested in utilizing emerging technologies to improve business efficiencies.”

In an interview July 26, with wusa9.com July 26, Panidepu said,” I grew up watching Miss USA pageants with  my mother.” She described her experiences of looking for mentorships etc., and indicated that is what drew her to wanting to help others with getting those opportunities. During her first year as Miss Virginia Teen USA, back in 2018, she was able to facilitate those kinds of experiences for others, encouraging them to explore their potential. As Miss Virginia Teen USA, she said she saw the impact on the lives of those she came into contact with.

The Northern Virginia Magazine carried an extensive interview of Panidepu July 29, 2024, where the Indian American winner, who is a graduate cum laude from Virginia Tech specializing in cybersecurity, expressed her support for STEM education.

While in Dallas, TX, Panidepu participated in the Miss Dallas USA pageant where she placed among the top 5, her interview with Northern Virginia Magazine reveals.

Panidepu’s first pageant was an Indian American one where she won the national title, she said. As Miss Virginia USA now, she has been involved with the responsibilities entailed with that position, including pushing STEM education through her own initiative, STEMpowered Leaders, an advocacy organization for STEM education especially among minorities and women.

The Indian American competitor told Northern Virgninia Magazine she had faced a lot of stignma and stereotypes growing up and wants to inspire youth to pursue non-traditional fields through avenues like mentorships and workshops, to overcome obstacles.