Competing for Miss North America 2021

For as long as I can remember, I would watch and keep up big national pageants such as Miss USA, Miss America, Miss US International, and Miss North America. When watching these pageants, I would think to myself "Imagine being in a room with 40+ of each states' best representation, that must be a very elite, influential, and powerful room to walk into". I always dreamed of being one of the contestants on that stage, being able to represent my state, and be among 40+ talented and beautiful girls each representing something so much bigger than themselves and being an advocate and voice for what they are passionate about. What a dream.

It always remained a dream of mine, to be able to represent Texas on a national platform. Until God whispered in my ear and said "your time is now" and suddenly, it wasn't a dream anymore and it became my reality.

I was crowned Miss Texas 2021 for the North America organization back in March and come June, I was in Orlando, Florida on the national Miss North America stage, competing for the prestigious title of Miss North America. Thanks to my sponsors and mentors who helped me get my body and mindset right, I was able to walk the stage confidently and graceful while showing the judges all of the hard work and dedication that was put into my preparation.

The pageant took place from June 20th - 25th at the Grand Orlando Resort at Celebration. Each day was filled with interactive activities for all the states' contestants to bond. Our days began based on when our hair and makeup appointment was. And it varied. Some days I would wake up at 3 am for hair and then have my makeup appointment at 5 am. Other days I was able to get some rest and wake up at 8 am for hair and 9 am for makeup.

Being my first national pageant, I was expecting to walk into an extremely competitive environment. But I was completely wrong. After having conversations with these girls, I very soon realized that it was so much more than just beauty, that brought each of these girls this far. The girls I met and primarily bonded with were the states that were somewhat close in alphabet near me due to the fact that we were grouped off by alphabet. However, each girl was amazing and unique in their own ways. Between practices, events, and outings, I made bestfriends. I came back to Texas with 30 new amazing friends!

I was having inspiring and motivating conversations all week with girls from various states who each were their states' best representation and also had a platform or non profit or unique story to tell.

The pageant consisted of 3 areas of competition. Personal interview, swimsuit competition, and evening gown. Going into this pageant, I set a personal goal for myself to make the Top 15. When my name was called into the Top 15, I was excited but it was one of those things where, it already was my goal so I expected nothing less from myself. But believe me, I was screaming on the inside!

I am so proud to type that I did not only achieve this goal of making the Top 15, but I surpassed it. I made the Top 10! Now, when my name was called for the Top 10, wow. I could not believe that the judges viewed me as one of the Top 10 in the country!!! To this day, I am extremely proud of myself for surpassing my goal and going for more. When I did not get called for the Top 5, I felt perfectly at peace. I knew that winning the Miss North America title was not in God's plan for me. I knew that I already won just by being here and being able to represent TEXAS at this caliber!

It should truly be illegal how much fun I had during this whole week. Pageants are so much more than the stereotype that people give them. Pageants are an opportunity to network and create a sisterhood with other girls who are working towards similar goals, crushing them, inspiring others, representing something much larger than themselves, and shattering glass ceilings. Pageants present an opportunity to show everyone the true meaning and definition behind "empowered women, empower women".