I am originally from San Diego, CA, from a shared family home 7 people lived in. In 2002 after being nationally recruited as the California 100 hurdle state champion to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and compete for the Husker Track and Field Team, I moved there. During high school I had participated in pageants, but as athletic offers increased, my focus went directly to running to pay for my education.

 

I was very fortunate to have continued success in Nebraska as a Husker competing in two National Championships, earning a school record and being named Team Captain. After college I joined the Husker Athletic staff as a student worker on the grounds crew. Continued opportunities opened up for more responsibility and I was always prepared for it, which lead to now serving in the role of Assistant Director of Capital Planning and Construction. Over the last decade my primary responsibilities have evolved to designing, building and managing the construction of over $340 million in athletic building projects including a football stadium expansion, downtown basketball arena and volleyball arena. Some of these projects have attracted national attention, even prompting visits by professional teams like the Chicago Bulls and Philadelphia Eagles, and one was awarded an International Telly Award in 2010. My other responsibilities include overseeing all sustainability efforts and have brought the Husker recycling efforts to national prominence. Through these endeavors I was named an Environmental Leadership nominee in 2012 and have traveled the US speaking at conferences about our recycling program.

 

My husband, a former Nebraska Football letter winner, Fred Thorne II and I met after college at the church we attend. I knew from our first date he was "it". We dated for 6 months, were engaged for 3 and 9 years later here we are. We have faced our ups and downs, but learned what it means to truly have an intentional marriage pursuing each other and are more in love than when we met, which is absolutely grace in our lives.

 

We have 3 adventurous children together, Charlie, Fiona and Ellie whom we absolutely adore! When we have free time, we love to play together, be silly, and go on family walks or bike rides. We like to pursue every day with 100% effort to help others in our community and across the globe as a family by striving to be selfless and serve others that are put into our life. My husband now teaches and coaches football at his high school alma mater and coaches our son’s flag football in his spare time.  I have the wonderful opportunity to coach our son’s soccer team with a very fun and warm hearted group of children.  It is fair to say we are HUGE Husker fans! GO BIG RED!

 

It's an honor to serve others, and over the last year was recognized as "A Woman of Honor, Courage and Commitment" in Nebraska and in August will receive the Governor’s Points of Light Service Award for engaging American Citizens in community service. I am grateful for these, but the moments interacting with others that were a part of the journeys are what are most special to my heart.

 

In 2004 our lives were greatly impacted by the loss of my brother to suicide and again in 2011 when I lost my best friend to suicide. These events ignited my mission to love people around the globe. To this day I remember what it felt like standing next to their coffins and I never want someone on this earth to think they are invaluable or unloved. Using my unique combination of talents I am entrusted with an athletic background, business skills, pageant involvement and previously serving on the board of directors for two international orphan organizations, this led to partnering with Soles4Souls to love people.

 

Through different areas of service, global travel has been a part of my life since being a teenager. As an International Spokesperson for Soles4Souls we are excited to Give Shoes and Give Love across the globe through the simple gift of used and new shoes to those in need. Our family looks forward to the year ahead as Mrs. International 2014 and to serve our world with every last ounce of energy we have.

 

Maggi Thorne Mrs. International 2014
International Spokesperson Soles4Souls