Caleigh Shade was crowned Miss Maryland USA 2022 on May 15, 2022. At 22 years old, she is a Sommelier at The Hobbit restaurant in Ocean City, Maryland. Being one of the youngest females to pass the Sommelier exam, she is thrilled to spend her year advocating for young women in male-dominated fields. 

 

Caleigh discovered her passion for the hospitality industry and creating memorable experiences for her guests, while attending Salisbury University’s school of communications. She is looking forward to using her knowledge in marketing as Miss Maryland USA to contribute to the success of the shift to “pageantry reimagined”. As a former Miss Maryland Teen USA 2018 and placing Top 15 at Miss Teen USA, Caleigh is an experienced titleholder but always wants to improve, learn and adapt. The redefining moment of “pageantry reimagined” allows her that opportunity. 

 

Caleigh was inspired to compete for Miss Maryland USA by Nana Meriwether, Miss Maryland USA 2012, who is breaking barriers by becoming one of the few female, black winemakers in the United States. As someone who strives to constantly set goals and put in the hard work to achieve them, helping others catapult themselves to success is one of Caleigh’s passions. 

 

In addition to being a Sommelier full-time, she also is a model with Reinhard Models and Modelogic Models. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking french cuisine, studying the language of viniculture and playing beach volleyball. Caleigh looks forward to representing her home state of Maryland at Miss USA 2022!