Miss Oregon’s Teen is not only a dream come true in itself, but it’s fulfilling so many other dreams I’ve held onto for so long. Even just a month in, this title has granted me enough scholarship money to attend my dream college, allowed me to begin formulating how I will share my passion for leadership to youth across the state of Oregon, and this title has given me my best friends. Speaking of which, you don’t learn what true sisterhood is until you’re running on 4 and a half hours of sleep, 3 and a half red bulls, and a prayer for 6 days in a row, in a convention center with 35 other girls in the same exact situation. Miss Oregon week is an experience I’ll never forget. The whole week is exciting, from struggling through opening number together, to playing a game of “How many cookies do you think they’ll let me take?” at dinner. But the best part of Miss O week is without a doubt the naps. It’s quite a spectacle to see pageant girls in full hair and makeup, face down on the carpet, completely passed out. Not only are the naps entertaining to witness, but they were my own personal saving grace during the week. Nothing beats sprinting past my sister queens in a desperate attempt to get the good napping chair first, and nothing bonds you better than squeezing into that singular chair with 2 other girls so that we could all get a good nap in.
As I reminisce on all my state memories, I can’t help but think forwards to the national competition. My Community Service Initiative is Living to Lead: Inspiring Today’s Youth to Become Tomorrow’s Leaders. I am looking forward to fully developing and rounding out all areas of my CSI as I prepare for Miss America. As Miss Douglas County’s Teen, I went into elementary and middle schools across the county, leading students through developmental leadership readings and activities. Currently, I am in the planning stages of developing a new approach to my leadership workshops, and I am making arrangements for which schools I will be taking these programs to in the fall and winter. Now, if you find yourself asking, “How can I get involved in building up the next generation of leaders?” Fear not! The biggest part of developing today’s youth to become tomorrow's leaders is for them to have strong, supportive mentors around them. Being a mentor can range anywhere from being a member of your child's school PTA or Booster Club, to volunteering in children’s ministries at your local church, all the way down to simply being a positive influence to the children in your life. If your actions inspire someone to dream more, do more, learn more, and become more, then you’re already a leader. Together we’re living to lead.
