When I graduated high school, I graduated with my first college degree as well. I was fortunate enough to be able to participate in the running start program my junior and senior year of high school where I was able to finish my high school credit and also gain my associates degree. I’m incredibly grateful that I decided to take this path as I am now on track to graduate next year despite being in my “freshman” year of college at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. In fact, UHM was the reason why I came to Hawaii in the first place as the Shidler College of business is one of the best in the country! Here I am now continuing my business studies with a double major in International Business and Management. Due to my participation in running start I also have enough room to triple minor and still graduate early. My minors of Peace Studies, a Peace Corp Certificate, and Marine Studies are areas that I find interesting and hope to pursue.

My end goal is to get my doctorate in business management and then go on to be the CEO of a tech or app company. For now however, once I finish my bachelors I plan on doing a 2 year service period through the Peace Corp in the Economic Development sector in a Central or South American country. Not only do I want to do this to gain a valuable experience that will make me a unique applicant for graduate school, but I also feel the need to give back to my people because I have been so fortunate to have been given the gift of being bilingual and getting a college education. I hope to learn things during this time that I can apply to my business in order to stop the separation of corporations and communities. As I finish up my freshman year, I reflect on the lessons I’ve learned and friends I’ve gained not only through school but through the Miss America Organization as well because a lot of this was possible because of my scholarship.

Despite struggling with a mental illness throughout the last several years of my life I am so proud of how far I’ve come. To anyone out there who might be struggling in school or life in general because of a mental illness, just know that it’s okay to not be okay as long as you’re kind to your mind.

Auburn, WA

Despite being involved in music in some way since I can remember, I didn’t start singing until my freshman year of high school! Not only that, but it’s only been in the last two years that I’ve begun singing as a soloist which is very different than choral singing. There’s a whole other world of technique used when singing a solo versus singing in a choir.
My lack of confidence in my voice held me back for years and I’m so grateful to both my choir teacher and my vocal instructor @sarahlynntweet from @tweetvoicestudio for helping me come out of my shell. I’m incredibly proud with how much I’ve grown in the short time that I’ve been singing and I am excited to continue growing and sharing that with all of you💕

Being part of the Miss America has taught me so much about my community, my culture, my initiative and most importantly myself. I have learned valuable skills that I have been able to apply in both my personal and professional life. Not only do I now know how to present myself physically, but also intellectually which is vital in all aspects of life. Regardless of what your background or experience in these types of events is, I recommend every girl to participate in a Miss America event because it’s something that will be with you forever

Unplug so that you can recharge your mind! I’d love to see what good news you guys have or have read about, share it with me by tagging me and using #bekindtoyourmindchallenge

In honor of #MotivationMonday I wanted to share what motivates me! The following are pictures of the people and things that keep me going. My culture, my family, my best friends, my fur babies (Pinto, Bean, and Romeo) and of course my passion for the arts that began with cake decorating ❤️ Aimee’s Cakes and Baked Goods

I hope you enjoy my first cover, it’s taken me a long long time to build up the courage to actually post a full song cover. Let me know what you’d like to hear next. Stay tuned for next week’s video