Seems simple enough, but for some of us, finding that thing we love—the reason we’re here—can feel like a lifelong journey. I’ve gone through so many phases, always trying new things in search of what truly lights me up. Along the way, I’ve discovered one constant: I love meeting people and hearing their stories. That love for connection has been the driving force behind so many of my varied interests.
The Really Itchy Costume
Early on, my parents encouraged me to try different things—mostly sports—to find something I loved. One of my earliest memories is ballet. Oh, ballet… let’s just say it wasn’t love at first plié. I was that kid who always had a “stomach ache” on dance days. Apparently, I played the stomach ache card so much that when my sister, McKenzie, later said her stomach hurt, my parents dropped her off at dance anyway, thinking she was just pulling a page from her big sister’s playbook. Spoiler alert: she wasn’t. Poor Kenz!
I still remember my one and only recital. The costume was so itchy that I’m convinced I worked the scratching into my dance moves. At one point, the pointy hat I was wearing fell off and landed on my butt—something I found hilariously documented in my childhood journal years later. I was 5, and all I knew was ballet wasn’t my thing.
Fun fact: despite my lack of enthusiasm, I ended up on the front page of the Metro section of The Washington Post! Most people assume I’m the girl on the left in the photo, but why would you think that? (Hint: I’m the one on the right!)
Finding My First Love
Not long after my short-lived ballet career, I was introduced to tennis, and everything changed. I had found something I loved! I spent hours on the court, dreaming of playing at Wimbledon. Late at night, I’d listen to the radio and think, How amazing would it be to play at Wimbledon? To be like Steffi Graf.
Tennis became my world. I ended up ranked in the top 30 in the Mid-Atlantic, played varsity all four years at Langley High School, and competed at states multiple times. I had the privilege of playing with some of the best players in the DC area and even trained at IMG Academy in Florida, founded by the legendary Nick Bollettieri. (Fun fact: Nick coached icons like Andre Agassi and Monica Seles!) While I was there, I played on a court right next to Maria Sharapova. Talk about starstruck!
As much as I loved tennis, it’s a young sport. By the time I reached college, I realized Wimbledon was no longer in the cards. It was time to hang up my competitive racket and look for a new love.
Rediscovering Love Through Pageantry
After college, it was a lot of trial and error as I searched for my next passion. (More on those adventures in another blog!) Then, last year, I stumbled upon pageantry—and everything clicked.
Pageantry has become something I truly love, for so many reasons. At its heart, it aligns with what I’ve always loved most: meeting people and hearing their stories. The incredible people I’ve met during my short time as a queen have made this experience unforgettable.
Of course, it’s fun to dress up, feel like royalty, and wear the crown, but it’s so much more than that. Pageantry has been a journey of growth, pushing me out of my comfort zone and allowing me to share my story. My hope is that by sharing, I might inspire you to find what you love—or remind you that it’s okay if you’re still searching.
What drew me to pageantry most was its emphasis on community service. Despite some of the stereotypes and the fact that I’m older than many competitors, I decided to give it a shot—and it’s been one of the most amazing experiences of my life.
As I prepare to compete for the title of Miss DC for America this April, I’m humbled by the talented and supportive people I’ve met along the way. From my coach to my trainer, to my hair and makeup team, to my family and friends, I’m so blessed to have found something I love and to work alongside others who are passionate about what they do, too.