I went to a plus size fashion show in October of 2009 with my mom and a lady asked if I was one of the models, I blushed and said "no". She then started talking to me and my mom about a pageant she heard of for plus size girls, and suggested I join.  I never pictured myself being in a pageant, but my mom pushed me to take a look.  When I found the website for TPA (Texas Plus America), I was really fascinated by all the beautiful women , and the next day I submitted my application!

Driving with my family up to Louisiana was a true road trip.  Even though I slept through most of it (a girl's got to get beauty sleep) I was anxious to see some girls from my state and meet and greet with the contestants.  I was super excited to be apart of Nationals, as the first Teen Ambassador.  I remember thinking to myself  "never forget this great feeling, this is a once in a lifetime experience".

The new friends I have made are really inspirational, being comfortable in your own skin and having enthusiastic personalities.  Every woman i met the weekend of Nationals made a difference in my pageant experience, from the little things like saying hello to the emotional conversations.  I can't imagine a better group for this year, thank you to all the women and men there for just smiling and making my experience the best!

From the moment I found out that I was Miss Plus America Teen Ambassador to present, I feel honored and blessed to be apart of this organization.  I love talking to my peers about my achievement, it motivates me to be the best Miss Plus America Teen Ambassador there is, I do need to set a strong core since I am the first!  I will never let this feeling be absent in my memory when I'm asked about my teenage experiences.

My crowning moment was delightful, just what I pictured.  Every girl wants to be on stage with a spotlight on her and having a crowd applause in her honor.  I was a bit nervous though walking up the stairs; I didn't want to trip and fall! Thankfully Lori had a good grip on my hands.  When the crown was being placed on my head and the photographer's flashes of light beaming at my face I could have cried, being the emotional kind of girl I am, but I just kept saying thank you to the audience and smiling at my family.

The plans I have for my reign is to definitely widen the range of teen contestants for the plus pageantry.  The ideas that have come to mind are going to plus size stores and maybe set up plans with them, making arrangements through my church, and many more...Some of my goals are to speak of loving and respecting yourself, to not abuse your body, and to attempt to make at least one person's day a better one!

My platform is Teen Suicide Awareness.  My path for promoting this issue is through talking to kids and teens, maybe even adults, about loving yourself, and remembering that your actions are never forgotten, like Mahatma Gandhi says " Whatever you do will be insignificant, but it is very important that you do it".   This quote reveals that you may not know it now, but everyone has a purpose in life. I want all my listeners to learn that, and want them to make it a habit to brighten someone's day, because before they close their eyes for bed they will feel the fulfillment of perhaps saving a life through their positive actions towards that person.

I also want to get together with my leadership group and do a huge event for teen suicide awareness. I am so excited to get the word out there!

My advice for teens who are looking into the MPA program is to just go for it!  You will have no regrets, and it will change your life.  Make sure to be yourself, because the people you meet will love and respect the real you, so let it shine.  I know teens don't usually hangout with people out of their age group but once you see how welcoming MPA is, you will find similarities in every woman you meet and want to know more about them.  As a teen you have the gift of youth so when you look back twenty years from now do you want to have thoughts of what if's, or have the memories you can share with your peers?