"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all." - Emily Dickenson

I am anxious and excited to leave for Las Vegas in just a few short days, and enjoy showing all that I have been working so hard on. I spent the majority of this month "buckling down" and getting focused on all the necessary last minute preparations. This included extended interview practice, talent rehearsals and countless shopping trips, just to name a few. What is really quite surprising is all of the "little" things that need to be done (such as labeling every item I am taking with me) that take up more time than one would anticipate. I thought maybe things would slow down when I booked fewer appearances, but in fact the opposite happened. I found myself filling every second of my time with long to-do lists and big goals. But I know that come January, it will all be worth it.
 

One of my highlights of the month was hosting the 24th Annual Spirit of Christmas at Chandler Center for the Arts. I danced in my first Spirit of Christmas show eleven years ago, and continued to perform in it for a decade. The Christian Dance Company and Tempe Dance Academy are really like a second family to me. So you can imagine how honored and excited I felt to be back on that stage and be a part of such a joyous and uplifting holiday event. I even got to be a part of one of the numbers!

Throughout the month, I have had the chance to appear on CBS5 news, co-host "ABC 15 Now!", and speak multiple times on 101.5 Jamz as well as Kool FM and KMLE 108. During each of these interviews, I was able to speak about my platform, my goals for the Miss America pageant, and ask the state to cast their vote. The amount of community support that has rallied around me is truly outstanding, and I am grateful to have the support of so many local businesses and friends. During the Miss America Pageant, I will be sending out updates as often as possible so that you all can read about my day-to-day experiences in Vegas. Don't forget to tune in on January 14th on ABC as I compete live, and vote for me at this link.

In a few days I will leave Arizona in pursuit of a crown. But it's not the sparkly rhinestones I'm after (surprising, isn't it?) yet instead it's what comes with the crown: the chance to change lives, to be a role model and leader, to represent an organization that stands for the ideal characteristics of not just a woman, but of a proud American, and to shine as an example for all as someone who is true to herself and her beliefs. On a more personal note, the week before Christmas my grandpa was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He is already a two time cancer survivor, and one of my inspirations to study the field of oncology. This week he underwent a critical surgery, and will now be in the ICU for twelve days while he recovers, before he is able to start chemotherapy treatment. When I saw him on Christmas, he put his arm around me and said "You know even if you come in 52nd, I'll be just as proud of you, and you're still the winner to us." I smiled at him and joked, "What about if I come in 53rd?" All kidding aside, he is one of my greatest supporters, and although he will be unable to be sitting in the crowd in Vegas watching me as he has my whole life, I will bring him with me in my heart knowing he's cheering me on from the hospital in Tucson. This really brought the last couple weeks into perspective for me. At first, I was worried about leaving my family for ten days during such a crucial time. But then I remembered that I am going to Miss America to be an advocate for the thousands of children who are going through what my grandpa is, and to give them the hope that they need to keep fighting. And with renewed inspiration and even greater purpose, I leave in a few days with my grandpa in my heart, a big goal on my mind, and the preparedness to turn all I've worked for into action.