I’d like to start this post off with a story (It’s relevant,
I promise): Yesterday, I visited the University Bookstore to purchase a
textbook for my May Term class. The used version of the book was $64—less than
many of the books I’ve had to buy over the past 3 years, but still
cringe-worthy given my dwindling bank account. Unfortunately, there’s really no
way around buying textbooks--if you want to pass, that is—so, I walked up to
the register, thinking about how much fruit and peanut butter I could buy with
that $64, and swiped my debit card.
Then, I remembered my scholarship account. Instant
mood-booster! Thanks to the scholarship money I was awarded as Miss Collegiate
America, that textbook is already paid for, and so are all of my textbooks for
fall and spring semester.
I don’t think that many people understand how incredibly
helpful scholarship pageants can be for young women who are pursuing college
and postgraduate degrees. I am SO thankful to the Miss Collegiate America
Organization for my $10,000 scholarship, which I’m happily putting toward my baccalaureate
education at the University of Maine!
Of course, my involvement with the Miss Collegiate America
& Miss High School America programs has earned me much more than just
scholarship money. The experiences that I gained as Miss Collegiate America
2011 are absolutely invaluable. Throughout my year, I had the pleasure of
traveling the country, performing on national stages, meeting with politicians
& being a guest at the White House, Library of Congress and Capitol
Building, modeling for Sherri Hill and Johnathan Kayne, shooting with
well-known photographers, speaking about our anti-bullying platform, The Crown
C.A.R.E.S., advocating healthy lifestyles, visiting schools and meeting many tremendous
girls from across the United States. It was a whirlwind experience, and not one
that I was willing to let end after crowning our new (gorgeous) Miss Collegiate
America, Haley O’Brien, in March. I fully intended to remain involved with the
MCA & MHSA Pageants as a mentor and a volunteer---and I’m happy to say that
I’ll have the opportunity to do that and much more.
I feel so blessed to announce the fact that I have been
chosen to represent our organization once again, taking on the title of Miss
Collegiate International. Over the last 3 years, the High School &
Collegiate Pageants have grown at an incredible rate, and we are so happy to
expand the pageants to an international level, allowing young women from over
50 countries to compete for scholarship prizes and modeling opportunities. I am
thrilled to have the opportunity to promote the Collegiate International
Pageant as well as The Crown C.A.R.E.S. program, and I look forward to another
exciting year of travels and new experiences. And pictures. Lots of pictures J
Miss Collegiate International
