November 15, 2013 Updated Nov 15, 2013 at 10:32 AM EST

Miss International 2013, Jesse Ladoue, knows when to leave the gown and heels at home. Ladoue may be a pageant titleholder, but she gets her hands dirty.


She recalls volunteering at Heritage Christian Services, earlier this year, where she did more than just take photos.


“I brought my rake and got in the trenches. We did a beautiful fall cleanup at their facility,” said Ladoue.


She competed at the International Pageant as, Miss New York International 2013. Ladoue competed in numerous portions of competition, to include; evening gown, fitness, fun fashion and interview.


“The most important phase of competition is 40% and that’s the interview,” says Ladoue.


Through her reign Ladoue is focused on increasing volunteer efforts from the community and business world.


“What people don’t realize, is that other than dancing, volunteerism is the second most feel good activity that you can do,” she says. “It makes you feel valued and needed.”


Ladoue has leveraged her title to partner with an online organization, represented by nearly six million users.


“VolunteerMatch.org is the largest online resource for volunteers. You type in where you live and the cause you’d like to be associated with,” she said.


It has been her biggest asset in growing her outreach. Ladoue books all of her own appearance on top of managing her own business.


“I started a consulting company, J.L presentations,” she said. “It took me quite a bit time to develop my interview skills and on-stage presence.”


This is her way of giving back. She works with pageant contestants and other young women, helping them develop their personal brand.


Her crown doesn’t pay the bills but that’s not why she has one.


Ladoue says, “my crusade as Miss International is to show people how possible it is to make a difference with doing the bare minimum sometimes.”


To get involved with volunteering this Elmira native offers some advice. “Be upfront about the time commitment you can give,” she said.


If you do, she assures you there is an event waiting for you!


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