The 2017 Miss Universe Pageant is set to take place in January of 2017 in the Philippines, the home country of the current Miss Universe, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach. As most of you who follow my posts (thank you!) know, I am a huge pageant junkie. I spend two months prior to the competitions researching contestants and watching preliminary competitions prior to the final pageant in order to make my predictions. Once pageant night finally arrives, I have my own score sheets, sweatpants, a comfy couch and the television at full blast. Although Miss Universe is about one month away, here are my early predictions for the Top 15 contestants based on the first impressions of the beautiful ladies' headshots and short biographies. Remember everyone: these predictions are based solely on personal first impressions and do not reflect any official results in the future. This is a fun way for all of us to get excited about Miss Universe 2017!

In alphabetical order:

1. Argentina - Estefania Bernal

Bernal is proud of her career as a publicity model and is currently pursuing her Media Communication degree. As an aspiring TV producer, she wants to use her talents to advocate for women’s rights.

2. Brazil - Raissa Santana

Santana, who recently received her Marketing degree, is the first black woman to be crowned Miss Brazil in 30 years. She loves to volunteer with the elderly and stay involved with organizations that focus on child adoption.

3. Canada - Siera Bearchell

In my opinion, Bearchell could possibly be the next Miss Universe. As a law student and entrepreneur, she began competing in pageants after her family lost their home in a fire. Bearchell was inspired by the help they received from the Red Cross and uses her title to be an advocate for several charitable organizations.

4. Chile - Catalina Paz Caceras

Catalina looks up to women who have worked hard to build themselves into something great - just as she has as Miss Chile. She is a talented painter who enjoys volunteering and raising awareness for domestic abuse.

5. Denmark - Christina Mikkelsen

Another contender that's high on my list for the Miss Universe title itself is Miss Denmark. Mikkelsen spent a year working closely with multiple charities in China and has traveled the globe to work with numerous organizations such as CANIGE and the VIVA organization in Singapore. One of her proudest achievements was acting as a liaison between the organizations to work together. On top of her international charity work, Mikkelsen is an avid entrepreneur and owns her own salon in Copenhagen.

6. Ecuador - Connie Jimenez

This woman is no stranger to hard work outdoors. She is an Agribusiness Engineer that has a passion for the environment and helping those in her country affected by the earthquake this past April. Not only is Connie involved with HIV prevention in newborn babies, she also works closely with a Diabetes organization, which is the leading cause of disease-related deaths in Ecuador.

7. Guyana - Soyini Fraser

Recognized as a Special Ambassador by the Guyana Tourism Authority, Fraser is a professional dancer and actress who aspires to be a Christian Children Psychologist. She is a mentor for children and the elderly, exercising her Christian values throughout Guyana and empowering those who are less fortunate.

8. Mexico - Kristal Silva

Silva is elated to bring her Mexican traditions and cultures to the Miss Universe Pageant, a dream she has been working toward since a very young age. As Miss Universe, Silva hopes to build homes for the less fortunate.

9. Nicaragua - Marina Jacoby

Jacoby is comfortable in the spotlight, considering her career as a successful commercial actress and two-time model at the international Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. As she continues to lead a campaign against bullying in her country, Jacoby works hard to shed light on Nicaragua.

10. Panama - Keity Drennan

A professional international model and seasoned pageant titleholder, Dressan hopes to use the Miss Universe title to raise awareness about autism and fight against the misinformation so many hear and read on the topic of autism.

10. Paraguay - Melgarejo Gonzale

Where do I even start?! Miss Paraguay is a medical student, professional model, car racing co-driver and a chemistry, math and physics teacher. Furthermore, she is a volunteer at rural schools, orphanages, and nursing homes. Gonzale also assists deaf children and encourages others to be organ donors. A whole package in my book.

12. Puerto Rico - Brenda Jimenez

An Honors Student in Biology and Psychology at the University of Puerto Rico, Jimenez aspires to be a Neonatal Pediatrician. She has spent years collecting food and supplies for the homeless and works hard to raise awareness and aid for homeless addicts and homeless who are HIV positive.

13. U.S. Virgin Islands - Carolyn Carter

Carter, a spokesperson for HIV/AIDs awareness in the Caribbean, has experience speaking on the issue all the way to Africa. When she has a little bit of spare time, she is a fashion blogger and talented painter.

14. U.S.A. - Deshauna Barber

Barber, the first woman actively serving in the US Army Reserve to be Miss USA, received her Masters of Science in Computer Information Systems and returned to live in D.C. to work as an IT Analyst for the U.S. Department of Commerce. She has been a longtime volunteer for those suffering from PTSD and has been diligent on suicide prevention in the U.S. military. (Another top contestant for the win!)

15. Venezuela - Mariam Habach

A dentistry student, Habach focuses on oral hygiene for children. She has helped over two thousand children by volunteering as Miss Venezuela. Habach loves to sing and dance when she has the chance and hopes to advocate for HIV awareness if she becomes Miss Universe.