Miss America 2013 || Role Model

I didn't have sisters. I found girls in my community to look up to. Dance teachers, previous Miss Magic Valleys, girls that I went to church with, babysitters... I wanted to be them. I learned from them. The Miss America Organization was a chance for me to be that for someone else. That is something I love about this organization, it made it easy for me to be an example in my community and it made it easy for me to be a big sister. Something that I had always wanted was placed in my hands as I started competing. There were always "little sisters" that got involved in the pageants, to be there to watch and learn from the Miss contestants. There was opportunities for princess workshops so we could teach them about confidence and self worth. The Miss America Organization even has a sister program for teens. It is all about sisterhood and being an example.

Some of my fondest memories throughout my years of competing come from girls just like the ones in the photos above. The times that they came to me to talk and I could tell them how beautiful they were. The times that they asked for a photo and for a moment I stepped away from whatever I was doing to give them my attention. The times when I could go into schools and community groups to just be there and show them that they had worth. Those are the times are cherish. I am so grateful for the opportunity to become a role model to young girls in my community through this program. And if I even helped one young woman or little girl, than I did my job. 

Love,

Deidre