Date of Birth: 23 December (a Christmas Baby!)

Horoscope: Capricorn

Height: 5' 1"

Weight: 115 pounds

Dress Size: 3

Shoe Size: 6

Favorite color: Blue

Doreen: At the Romantic Times convention in Houston, was it your first time competiting for the Ms. Romance title? What was it like? Did you enjoy it?

Shannon: Yes, the Ms. Romance competition was the first one I entered. I was very excited and scared at the same time. I really enjoyed practising the poses that my partner and I did on stage. It was like bringing a fairy tale to life.

Doreen: Have you participated in any other competitions like beauty pageants? Did you win any other titles?

Shannon: I have not entered any beauty contests since I was a young girl. My mother entered me in a few and I won two.

Doreen: Do you model full time?

Shannon: No, I don't model full time. I am very busy with my new business so I have to concentrate on it. Owning my business gives me some freedom with my schedule, so if a modelling job comes up, I can easily take the time to do the shoot.

Doreen: Tell me more about the swim suit company that you co-own. Do you have any celebrity clients?

Shannon: I wish there were celebrity clients. I'd love that! It's a small swimwear shop in Houston, kind of a specialty boutique. I meet some very interesting ladies and we usually bond while I am fitting them.

Doreen: Do you find people take you more seriously because of your work (both as a model and business woman)? What are the comments or responses they made when they found out what you do for a living? Were they intimidated?

Shannon: I don't know if people take me seriously or not because of my business. I just work hard and try to do the best job I can. I believe that you should earn respect by your actions, not just because of the way you look or what material things you possess. I probably intimidate people because I am very straight forward and honest. I don't believe in being shallow and some people cannot handle that.

Doreen: Do you find doors open for you (i.e. opportunities) as a result of your modelling and business?

Shannon: I have found that doors are opened all the time. It's the quality of the offer that is more important to me. Lip service and BS does not rank high on my list. I will only consider things that I feel are from serious people who offer help or opportunities from the heart.

Doreen: Describe your personality (introvert or extrovert).

Shannon: I am a bit of both. I absolutely love being on stage in front of people but I am a little shy and reserved when I am in a crowd. In private I can be a little bratty. I like things done my way. I do compromise on some things but when I know I'm right or my idea is the best option, I insist on it. On the other hand, I am very giving to the ones I love. I would rather do without and give the best to others. I am pretty picky about who I consider my close friends but I would do just about anything for them. I am a very low-maintenance type of girl. I don't put a high priority on clothes, hairstyles, make-up or cars. I prefer to concentrate on things that will last, like my house and investments.

Doreen: You're very sensible. Have you done any acting? Would you pursue it?

Shannon: I have not done any acting, but I would love the opportunity to give it a try! Sometimes I feel like acting would not be too different from my experiences working with the public.

Doreen: Do you like to cook? What are some of the food that you enjoy making?

Shannon: Oh, my favorite subject! I love to try new receipes. I don't like to cook fancy foods, just good easily to make stuff. Some of my best dishes are gumbo, chili, lasagna, carrot cake and chocolate chip cookies. I make all these from scratch and really enjoy the final product because I prepared everything fresh.

Doreen: So what are your favorite food?

Shannon: I love all types. My favorite is good home cooking and I love Mexican, German, Japanese and Thai too.

Doreen: Do you paint, dance (like ballet, tap, etc), play musical instruments?

Shannon: Sadly, I am not very creative. My mind is geared more mechanically. I wired my living room surround sound system to the receiver, CD player and VCR and it all works! when I bought my first condo, I changed all the light switches and electrical outlets myself. I understand finances and computers more than decorating or music.

Doreen: Talk about being regarded as the weaker sex, you sure have proven that you are as knowledgeable as any man when it comes to mechanical gadgets. I am so impressed. (Yippeee, girl power!!!!) What are your other hobbies besides cooking?

Shannon: Playing on my computer, learning about investment, and reading.

Doreen: Your favorite books and magazines?

Shannon: I love fantasy, magical and horror novels. My favorite authors are Steven King, Piers Anthony and Clive Barker. I cannot get enough of them.

Doreen: Describe your most romantic date that you had.

Shannon: I was taken away for a weekend getaway by a very special man. We had been dating for about a year and for our anniversary, I thought we were going out to dinner at our favorite restaurant. He arranged everything and even packed my bags. We just took off to San Antonio and had the best time! The RiverWalk was very romantic at night. It was lit up with lots of Christmas lights and we walked part of it and took the boat ride for the rest. We ate at some fun restaurants and went to Sea World. The rest of the time, we just walked around, shopped and enjoyed each other.

Doreen: That's indeed very romantic. Do you agree that women should follow the age old rule of not sleeping or kissing a man on the first date even though they are dying to?

Shannon: A girl should definitely not sleep with a guy on a first date. A little good-night kiss would be ok but nothing too hot and heavy. You should leave a little mystery and have him begging for more!

Doreen: What would you advise women who want to know how to go about finding Mr. Right?

Shannon: My Mr. Right would have to be my very best friend. I would like him as a person, enjoy the same things and have the same goals in life. Since this is the person you will spend the rest of your life with, you should have lots in common.

Doreen: Someone had recently commented to me that love is over-rated, do you agree? What is your definition of love?

Shannon: Love is not over-rated! Love is a wonderful experience that I feel is out there for anyone who wants it bad enough. I don't think you should settle for someone just because he or she is available at the time. Search hard for your soul-mate and do not give in until you find him or her. A soul-mate is someone who is your other half. The two of you should bond together and you could never imagine life without them. Years together fly by, but at the same time seem to last forever.

Doreen: What do you look for in a man?

Shannon: My man has to be a good person inside. He has to make me laugh, be laid back and love my dog! If he is conceited or arrogant, he will not have a chance.

Doreen: What are your beauty secrets?

Shannon: I don't tan in the sun often, eat healthy and exercise. Everything I get out of the shower, I cover myself in lotion. My skin is very soft because of that. One of the best feelings in the world is to take a long, hot bath, lotion yourself up and slide between clean sheets after a hard day.

Doreen: What would you advise when someone says she wants to go for plastic surgery, breast augmentation, or liposuction?

Shannon: I don't have a problem with it at all. Why should we look older than we feel? My only advise is to choose your surgeon well, don't rush into anything, don't ever over do it and you get what you pay for. A good surgeon will cost more initially, but the results will be worth it. To save a couple thousand dollars will not make up for a botched job or reconstructive surgeries later on.