As I stood under the spotlight waiting to hear my name be called with tears streaming down my face, all I could think about was the four years that had led to that moment. The people who have poured into me and believed in me, the hundreds of hours dedicated to my talent, walking practices, and interview prep... but more than anything I was proud of the woman that was standing on that stage regardless of the outcome.
For five years, I competed in the Miss America Organization because I had seen the difference this platform has in the lives of the competitors, but also the lives of those they connect with. I knew the crown was never just about a title or the sash across our chests. It was about serving our communities, making connections, advocating for our individual passions, and being someone who uplifts others making them feel seen and happy.
I experienced the disappointment of coming close and leaving without the opportunity many times. Going from not placing at all, to being 4th runner up twice, then 1st runner up. But I knew in my heart that if I kept pursuing this dream, kept working each day at being the best version of myself that one day that dream would become reality. Every time I returned, I came back with a stronger sense of purpose and confidence because I work at it every day.
My passion for service comes from my own experiences growing up, and things I had witnessed. As a child, I faced instability at home, food insecurity, and trials that challenged me mentally and physically. There were times when we didn't have hot water and were boiling pots of water to pour into the bathtub to wash our bodies and clothes. I struggled with feeling I belonged anywhere at times. I wasn't sure who I wanted to be for a long time but I knew who I didn't want to become.
Those experiences shaped my understanding of how important access to resources and education truly are and are the heart of my community service initiative, E.A.T. To Live: Transforming Lives Through Nutrition. For years I have dedicated to educating communities about nutrition and the power of real food, physical activity, and being an advocate for your own health. I have presented my nutrition education seminar to more than 2,000 students, written and illustrated a nutrition focused children's nutrition book that I have presented to over 800 children across the Klamath Basin, and secured more than 8,000 pounds of food for families in need.
This work is personal because I know firsthand what it means when healthy choices and resources are not always accessible. I believe education is one of the greatest tools we can provide, and I want every person, especially children, to feel empowered to take ownership of their health and their future.
Throughout my years competing, I learned that leadership is not defined by a title. It is defined by how you show up for others and yourself. If you show up everyday as the person you want to be that is who you will become. It takes time. For me, it took 24 years until I felt truly secure in who I am.
The women I have met through the Miss America Organization have challenged me, encouraged me, and reminded me of the importance of lifting others as we grow. Winning Miss Oregon was a full-circle moment. I thought about the little girl I was, the one who experienced uncertainty but still dreamed of making a difference, singing into a hairbrush on the kitchen table, doing model walks draped in an old shower curtain. I thought about the people who believed in me during the moments when I struggled to believe in myself. I thought about every lesson that brought me to that stage.
This title is an incredible honor, but it is also a responsibility. As Miss Oregon, I am committed to continuing my work in nutrition education, expanding access to resources, and using this platform that means so much to me to remind others that their beginnings do not determine their futures.
My journey has taught me that every experience can be the greatest lessons if you allow them to be. The challenges we face can shape us into people who are better equipped to serve others and navigate this thing called life. After many years of growth, perseverance, and believing in this dream, I am grateful for the opportunity to represent as Miss Oregon this year, on the Miss America stage and beyond. I will continue serving with authenticity, compassion, and not take a single second of this year for granted.
