Highlighting the Most Memorable Moments of the USOA Mrs. Nevada Pageant

It's been a week since the crowning of USOA Mrs. Nevada 2024. During this time, I've hustled through four 15-to-16-hour workdays, attended two grueling 14-hour sessions of NAMI Training the Trainers training, and barely managed 5 hours of sleep each night. Whether you win or lose, the aftermath of a pageant weekend demands processing time. From endless sessions of tans, hair, and makeup, to interviews, pageant events, and rehearsals, it's been nonstop. Amidst this whirlwind, scheduling a moment to process is crucial.

Since 2018, I've been competing in the United States of America's Miss Nevada pageant, and let me tell you, the caliber of women in this competition was outstanding! Determining the winners was tough because every contestant was truly deserving of their respective crowns. But when your name isn't the first to be called, when you realize you're not winning the crown, it's a whirlwind of emotions. You feel proud of your journey yet disappointed for yourself all at once. Holding back tears becomes a battle, as you question every decision and expense that brought you to this moment. Being told to "suck it up" only adds to the frustration. However, amidst these conflicting feelings, there's genuine happiness for the woman whose life just changed forever. You try to compose yourself until you reach the solitude of your car, replaying every moment of the competition in your mind. You remind yourself that different judges might have led to a different outcome. It wasn't your moment this time, but you can't help but wonder if your time will ever come.

Throughout the week, you find yourself pondering whether you'll compete again. You start exploring various pageant systems, considering the possibility of pursuing an at-large title and advancing to nationals. But then it hits you: you began this journey for a reason. This particular system resonates with your core values, and the motto speaks to your soul. You envision yourself proudly wearing that crown and sash, and proudly displaying the banner across your chest. You reconnect with your purpose, remembering that your motivation for competing extends far beyond mere symbols of victory.

My goal is to combat the stigma surrounding mental health and reform the system, not just in Nevada but across the nation. I'm confident in my ability to make an impact, whether or not I wear a crown. With upcoming events and ambitious plans for my platform, Take 5 to Talk, I'm determined to effect change. I believe that my moment will come, and one day, I'll proudly hold the title of the first openly gay Mrs. Nevada. Representing my state on a national stage is a dream I trust will unfold in its own time, guided by a higher purpose.

Join me on this journey. While my local title may shift, my purpose remains steadfast. Each time I step onto the stage, I'm creating pathways for the LGBTQ+ community, advocating for mental health awareness, and empowering those who defy conventional notions of beauty queens. The tide of stereotypes is shifting, the world is evolving, and pageantry will inevitably evolve along with it. Together, we're driving change.

For now, I go back to work and kill it at my job. I will continue to empower and advocate for mental health education, inspire lawmakers to give access to care for the twenty percent of Nevadans who are living with a mental illness, and I will continue to uplift those who feel neglected by the mental health system.