First class competitor
by Michelle Mondo
Krendra Harralson (M.Jur. ’24) thought she would still be climbing the ranks in the U.S. Army, but an unexpected medical diagnosis sent her on a different path: earning a pageant competition title and heading back to college in her 40s.
Harralson walked the St. Mary’s University Commencement stage in May as her husband and 10-year-old son cheered from the crowd. Her 14-year-old son sat behind her, placing her academic hood when it was time. Her 24-year-old son was unable to attend.
Harralson applied to the Master of Jurisprudence Program because the course work would give her a good foundation for helping those she considers the most vulnerable, with a focus on improving health care for older adults and pregnant women.
“I chose this program because I see myself helping to write legislation to improve health care,” she said.
A desire to serve
The path from serving her country as a combat medic — including deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan — to competing in pageant competitions and finding a new calling at St. Mary’s University began at a young age.
“As a little girl, I saw myself being in the Army,” said Harralson, who grew up in Tacoma, Washington. “I had a big M*A*S*H poster on my wall and posters about the Army Corps nurses. I didn’t realize when I first enlisted at 17 that I would be retired at 38.”
Harralson dreamed of becoming the first woman Sergeant Major of the Army. Instead, after being diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2016, Harralson medically retired as a sergeant first class.
In the military, if service members are diagnosed with a health condition that renders them unable to perform their duties, they are required to medically retire. Studies have shown forced retirement can lead to a difficult transition to the civilian world, both financially and emotionally.
Harralson experienced a deep depression. Her husband, also in the Army, tried to find ways to get her to connect with other veterans. She reconnected with a previous supervisor who had competed in pageants and who encouraged Harralson to go for it.
Wearing the crown
One day before registration for Ms. Veteran America 2023 closed, Harralson submitted her packet. She placed in the top 10. She is currently the reigning Mrs. Texas in the Mrs. USA (Mrs. United Service Ambassador) pageant and competed for the Mrs. USA title in Omaha, Nebraska, in August 2024, earning second runner-up.
Creating a pageant platform spurred Harralson to find her newest passion: advocating for women veterans living with depression or housing insecurity.
She also appreciated how much her St. Mary’s Law advisers and professors helped her along the way to set new career goals.
“St. Mary’s professors really seem to live the Marianist life, the way they talk to us, the way they act and the community engagement and involvement,” she said.
Assistant Dean for Graduate Law Programs Shannon Sevier (M.P.A. ’21, J.D. ’07), who taught Harralson, said she embodies the Marianist tradition of the University.
“St. Mary’s professors really seem to live the Marianist life, the way they talk to us, the way they act and the community engagement and involvement.”
— Krendra Harralson (M.Jur. ’24)
“Ms. Harralson is the manifestation of service: civic service, military service and peer mentorship,” Sevier said. “She is an example of hard work and self-determination. Her arc of achievement, leadership and service has just started.”
While she is moving on to her next chapter to pursue a doctorate, Harralson said she will always cherish her time on the campus.
“My heart was full just being there,” she said.
