hi friends nice to see so many smiling faces what a great day right to be a
faces what a great day right to be a
faces what a great day right to be a part of something new and different and
part of something new and different and
part of something new and different and amazing um I’m gonna start today by
amazing um I’m gonna start today by
amazing um I’m gonna start today by telling you a story about my life that I
telling you a story about my life that I
telling you a story about my life that I hope in some way will resonate with some
hope in some way will resonate with some
hope in some way will resonate with some of you I’m gonna start by telling you
of you I’m gonna start by telling you
of you I’m gonna start by telling you it’s about beauty pageants so don’t tune
it’s about beauty pageants so don’t tune
it’s about beauty pageants so don’t tune me out I’m not expecting any of you to
me out I’m not expecting any of you to
me out I’m not expecting any of you to you know go out and enter one but the
you know go out and enter one but the
you know go out and enter one but the process was important for me and I think
process was important for me and I think
process was important for me and I think offers something we can all share in the
offers something we can all share in the
offers something we can all share in the lesson when I graduated from high school
lesson when I graduated from high school
lesson when I graduated from high school I knew two things about my life number
I knew two things about my life number
I knew two things about my life number one I knew that I wanted to go to
one I knew that I wanted to go to
one I knew that I wanted to go to college and I ran with a group of people
college and I ran with a group of people
college and I ran with a group of people we all talked about college and most of
we all talked about college and most of
we all talked about college and most of their parents were college graduates
their parents were college graduates
their parents were college graduates nobody in my family had ever graduated
nobody in my family had ever graduated
nobody in my family had ever graduated from college but I knew that was an
from college but I knew that was an
from college but I knew that was an eventual reality for me what I didn’t
eventual reality for me what I didn’t
eventual reality for me what I didn’t know is how to get in or what to do to
know is how to get in or what to do to
know is how to get in or what to do to become a student and I sure didn’t know
become a student and I sure didn’t know
become a student and I sure didn’t know how we were gonna pay for it but I knew
how we were gonna pay for it but I knew
how we were gonna pay for it but I knew that I wanted to go to college and the
that I wanted to go to college and the
that I wanted to go to college and the second thing that I knew for sure
second thing that I knew for sure
second thing that I knew for sure doesn’t Oprah have that thing where she
doesn’t Oprah have that thing where she
doesn’t Oprah have that thing where she says what I know for sure so what I knew
says what I know for sure so what I knew
says what I know for sure so what I knew for sure is that more than anything else
for sure is that more than anything else
for sure is that more than anything else in the world I wanted to sing and dance
in the world I wanted to sing and dance
in the world I wanted to sing and dance on a stage I had studied ballet and tap
on a stage I had studied ballet and tap
on a stage I had studied ballet and tap and jazz my whole life jazz and I was in
and jazz my whole life jazz and I was in
and jazz my whole life jazz and I was in black magic although we were not as good
black magic although we were not as good
black magic although we were not as good as the students that you just heard
as the students that you just heard
as the students that you just heard things have come a long way in the few
things have come a long way in the few
things have come a long way in the few short years since I was there but I knew
short years since I was there but I knew
short years since I was there but I knew that I had a passion for performing and
that I had a passion for performing and
that I had a passion for performing and I wanted to do that and so my senior
I wanted to do that and so my senior
I wanted to do that and so my senior year in high school someone approached
year in high school someone approached
year in high school someone approached me and said hey I have an idea if you
me and said hey I have an idea if you
me and said hey I have an idea if you enter the Miss West Texas pageant if you
enter the Miss West Texas pageant if you
enter the Miss West Texas pageant if you win you will go on to miss Texas and
win you will go on to miss Texas and
win you will go on to miss Texas and there you’ll get to perform your talent
there you’ll get to perform your talent
there you’ll get to perform your talent evening gown swimsuit the dreaded
evening gown swimsuit the dreaded
evening gown swimsuit the dreaded swimsuit and here’s the better news
swimsuit and here’s the better news
swimsuit and here’s the better news though if you go to miss Texas and you
though if you go to miss Texas and you
though if you go to miss Texas and you make the top ten so if you’re in the
make the top ten so if you’re in the
make the top ten so if you’re in the among those who have the most points the
among those who have the most points the
among those who have the most points the top ten you’ll get to perform before a
top ten you’ll get to perform before a
top ten you’ll get to perform before a live statewide broadcast so I thought
live statewide broadcast so I thought
live statewide broadcast so I thought this is cool I can have a chance to
this is cool I can have a chance to
this is cool I can have a chance to perform my talents all I wanted to do so
perform my talents all I wanted to do so
perform my talents all I wanted to do so I went to miss Texas that first year and
I went to miss Texas that first year and
I went to miss Texas that first year and there were about 70 girls in the
there were about 70 girls in the
there were about 70 girls in the competition from Dallas and Houston in
competition from Dallas and Houston in
competition from Dallas and Houston in Austin all those big cities and I did
Austin all those big cities and I did
Austin all those big cities and I did the preliminary competition and
the preliminary competition and
the preliminary competition and Kalinin swimsuit and evening gown when
Kalinin swimsuit and evening gown when
Kalinin swimsuit and evening gown when we got to the finals that night I was
we got to the finals that night I was
we got to the finals that night I was very hopeful that they would call my
very hopeful that they would call my
very hopeful that they would call my names that I could perform but I did not
names that I could perform but I did not
names that I could perform but I did not win the first year that I was there and
win the first year that I was there and
win the first year that I was there and I did not make the top ten the first
I did not make the top ten the first
I did not make the top ten the first year that I was there and after the
year that I was there and after the
year that I was there and after the broadcast you go to what’s called the
broadcast you go to what’s called the
broadcast you go to what’s called the awards ball and they give out a lot of
awards ball and they give out a lot of
awards ball and they give out a lot of awards at the awards ball and they also
awards at the awards ball and they also
awards at the awards ball and they also list those contestants who landed from
list those contestants who landed from
list those contestants who landed from 11 to 20 because they want you to be
11 to 20 because they want you to be
11 to 20 because they want you to be motivated to come back the next year and
motivated to come back the next year and
motivated to come back the next year and so they called out the top 20 and I was
so they called out the top 20 and I was
so they called out the top 20 and I was not among those in the top 20 either in
not among those in the top 20 either in
not among those in the top 20 either in fact at the awards ball I never heard my
fact at the awards ball I never heard my
fact at the awards ball I never heard my name called out not one time that year
name called out not one time that year
name called out not one time that year and so I verified that I did indeed
and so I verified that I did indeed
and so I verified that I did indeed register correctly and I was in and they
register correctly and I was in and they
register correctly and I was in and they had me I mean I was registered I just
had me I mean I was registered I just
had me I mean I was registered I just didn’t do well and so I decided after
didn’t do well and so I decided after
didn’t do well and so I decided after that first year you know we don’t always
that first year you know we don’t always
that first year you know we don’t always succeed the first time we try something
succeed the first time we try something
succeed the first time we try something and so I decided I’m gonna I’m gonna go
and so I decided I’m gonna I’m gonna go
and so I decided I’m gonna I’m gonna go back again I like this and I was used to
back again I like this and I was used to
back again I like this and I was used to scholarship money and so I I decided to
scholarship money and so I I decided to
scholarship money and so I I decided to go back again and this time I was Miss
go back again and this time I was Miss
go back again and this time I was Miss Arlington and so I moved to Arlington
Arlington and so I moved to Arlington
Arlington and so I moved to Arlington that’s how I transfer to the University
that’s how I transfer to the University
that’s how I transfer to the University of Texas at Arlington that’s that’s how
of Texas at Arlington that’s that’s how
of Texas at Arlington that’s that’s how I made my college decision because they
I made my college decision because they
I made my college decision because they gave me a scholarship and I went back to
gave me a scholarship and I went back to
gave me a scholarship and I went back to Miss Texas the second year and competed
Miss Texas the second year and competed
Miss Texas the second year and competed again knowing what to expect this time
again knowing what to expect this time
again knowing what to expect this time and so when I got there that year I went
and so when I got there that year I went
and so when I got there that year I went through talent and evening gown and
through talent and evening gown and
through talent and evening gown and swimsuit and when I probably haven’t
swimsuit and when I probably haven’t
swimsuit and when I probably haven’t said yet at this point is the first two
said yet at this point is the first two
said yet at this point is the first two years that I was there you know the
years that I was there you know the
years that I was there you know the dreaded swimsuit competition I’d
dreaded swimsuit competition I’d
dreaded swimsuit competition I’d probably put on the freshman 15 to 20
probably put on the freshman 15 to 20
probably put on the freshman 15 to 20 ish but I still walked across that stage
ish but I still walked across that stage
ish but I still walked across that stage at a swimsuit I sure did and the second
at a swimsuit I sure did and the second
at a swimsuit I sure did and the second year that I was there I did not win I
year that I was there I did not win I
year that I was there I did not win I did not make the top ten I did not make
did not make the top ten I did not make
did not make the top ten I did not make the top 20 but the second year that I
the top 20 but the second year that I
the top 20 but the second year that I was there I got the award at the awards
was there I got the award at the awards
was there I got the award at the awards ball for Best variety act and just for
ball for Best variety act and just for
ball for Best variety act and just for some perspective variety act there were
some perspective variety act there were
some perspective variety act there were two who qualified and it was me and a
two who qualified and it was me and a
two who qualified and it was me and a girl with a ventriloquist so not
girl with a ventriloquist so not
girl with a ventriloquist so not SuperDuper successful twice and so I
SuperDuper successful twice and so I
SuperDuper successful twice and so I decided after the second year what some
decided after the second year what some
decided after the second year what some of you may already think that pageants
of you may already think that pageants
of you may already think that pageants are stupid and I’ll be moving on to
are stupid and I’ll be moving on to
are stupid and I’ll be moving on to something different and I used my
something different and I used my
something different and I used my scholarship money and took a year to
scholarship money and took a year to
scholarship money and took a year to kind of figure out who I am
kind of figure out who I am
kind of figure out who I am my mom is finally the one who said you
my mom is finally the one who said you
my mom is finally the one who said you know Tatum I think you can probably make
know Tatum I think you can probably make
know Tatum I think you can probably make the top ten I think you have the talent
the top ten I think you have the talent
the top ten I think you have the talent I think you are smart enough but you may
I think you are smart enough but you may
I think you are smart enough but you may have to put some effort into your
have to put some effort into your
have to put some effort into your preparation which was the gentle way of
preparation which was the gentle way of
preparation which was the gentle way of saying fix some of the issues primarily
saying fix some of the issues primarily
saying fix some of the issues primarily that go with the swimsuit so I decided
that go with the swimsuit so I decided
that go with the swimsuit so I decided I’m gonna go back I’m gonna do that I’m
I’m gonna go back I’m gonna do that I’m
I’m gonna go back I’m gonna do that I’m gonna do it I’m gonna do it a third year
gonna do it I’m gonna do it a third year
gonna do it I’m gonna do it a third year I’m doing this and the third year I cut
I’m doing this and the third year I cut
I’m doing this and the third year I cut out fast food for my diet for the most
out fast food for my diet for the most
out fast food for my diet for the most part and started being a little bit more
part and started being a little bit more
part and started being a little bit more active and I went back the third year
active and I went back the third year
active and I went back the third year and I was Miss Waco and the third year
and I was Miss Waco and the third year
and I was Miss Waco and the third year that I was at Miss Texas I did not win
that I was at Miss Texas I did not win
that I was at Miss Texas I did not win did not make the top ten but when I got
did not make the top ten but when I got
did not make the top ten but when I got to the awards ball they called me as
to the awards ball they called me as
to the awards ball they called me as number 17 and so this was one of those
number 17 and so this was one of those
number 17 and so this was one of those aha moments in life because I’m a pretty
aha moments in life because I’m a pretty
aha moments in life because I’m a pretty visual person and I really got it I
visual person and I really got it I
visual person and I really got it I worked a little bit that year and when I
worked a little bit that year and when I
worked a little bit that year and when I got to Miss Texas I achieved a little
got to Miss Texas I achieved a little
got to Miss Texas I achieved a little bit and so I had the equation salt so I
bit and so I had the equation salt so I
bit and so I had the equation salt so I thought I’ll do this a fourth time
thought I’ll do this a fourth time
thought I’ll do this a fourth time because this time I know what to do and
because this time I know what to do and
because this time I know what to do and so I went back to this text is a fourth
so I went back to this text is a fourth
so I went back to this text is a fourth time and this time I was Miss Rio Grande
time and this time I was Miss Rio Grande
time and this time I was Miss Rio Grande Valley that’s a whole nother TED talk so
Valley that’s a whole nother TED talk so
Valley that’s a whole nother TED talk so we can discuss that later but all four
we can discuss that later but all four
we can discuss that later but all four years for my talent I had sang and
years for my talent I had sang and
years for my talent I had sang and danced and so the fourth year that I was
danced and so the fourth year that I was
danced and so the fourth year that I was there same thing my talent was singing
there same thing my talent was singing
there same thing my talent was singing and dancing I told you I was more
and dancing I told you I was more
and dancing I told you I was more physically fit I was enrolled I’d picked
physically fit I was enrolled I’d picked
physically fit I was enrolled I’d picked a major I was a political science major
a major I was a political science major
a major I was a political science major so we were having cool conversations and
so we were having cool conversations and
so we were having cool conversations and my university classrooms about the
my university classrooms about the
my university classrooms about the presidential election and so that part
presidential election and so that part
presidential election and so that part the interview part of the competition
the interview part of the competition
the interview part of the competition was something I was really good at I
was something I was really good at I
was something I was really good at I know right because I talked for a living
know right because I talked for a living
know right because I talked for a living I was I was well-spoken I could talk so
I was I was well-spoken I could talk so
I was I was well-spoken I could talk so I got to Miss Texas the fourth year much
I got to Miss Texas the fourth year much
I got to Miss Texas the fourth year much more prepared than I’ve ever been before
more prepared than I’ve ever been before
more prepared than I’ve ever been before and the fourth year that I was there I
and the fourth year that I was there I
and the fourth year that I was there I did not win but the fourth year that I
did not win but the fourth year that I
did not win but the fourth year that I was there I did make the top ten and I
was there I did make the top ten and I
was there I did make the top ten and I told you guys that’s all I ever wanted
told you guys that’s all I ever wanted
told you guys that’s all I ever wanted to do was be in the top ten I never
to do was be in the top ten I never
to do was be in the top ten I never dreamed I could win I didn’t want to
dreamed I could win I didn’t want to
dreamed I could win I didn’t want to save the world I really just wanted to
save the world I really just wanted to
save the world I really just wanted to sing and dance on TV and so that fourth
sing and dance on TV and so that fourth
sing and dance on TV and so that fourth year that’s exactly what happened they
year that’s exactly what happened they
year that’s exactly what happened they called my name I recompete ydynt
called my name I recompete ydynt
called my name I recompete ydynt Talent I did my song and dance evening
Talent I did my song and dance evening
Talent I did my song and dance evening gown swimsuit
gown swimsuit
gown swimsuit and the fourth year it actually gets a
and the fourth year it actually gets a
and the fourth year it actually gets a little better because they called my
little better because they called my
little better because they called my name in the top five that year so there
name in the top five that year so there
name in the top five that year so there are five girls on the stage and they
are five girls on the stage and they
are five girls on the stage and they call the fourth runner up and it was not
call the fourth runner up and it was not
call the fourth runner up and it was not me they call the third runner up and it
me they call the third runner up and it
me they call the third runner up and it was not me there’s three of us left and
was not me there’s three of us left and
was not me there’s three of us left and they call my name is second runner-up to
they call my name is second runner-up to
they call my name is second runner-up to Miss Texas and so that really was the
Miss Texas and so that really was the
Miss Texas and so that really was the first time I thought somebody like me
first time I thought somebody like me
first time I thought somebody like me could be Miss Texas I just wanted to be
could be Miss Texas I just wanted to be
could be Miss Texas I just wanted to be in the top ten I really genuinely
in the top ten I really genuinely
in the top ten I really genuinely thought to be Miss Texas you had to be
thought to be Miss Texas you had to be
thought to be Miss Texas you had to be from a wealthy family and we were not I
from a wealthy family and we were not I
from a wealthy family and we were not I have great parents my mom was an office
have great parents my mom was an office
have great parents my mom was an office manager for a doctor my dad works in the
manager for a doctor my dad works in the
manager for a doctor my dad works in the oil field and then with some of our
oil field and then with some of our
oil field and then with some of our friends here in the food industry
friends here in the food industry
friends here in the food industry we were not wealthy people I thought you
we were not wealthy people I thought you
we were not wealthy people I thought you had me from a big city and I was from
had me from a big city and I was from
had me from a big city and I was from Odessa proudly I thought you had to be
Odessa proudly I thought you had to be
Odessa proudly I thought you had to be tall and thin and I’ve never been either
tall and thin and I’ve never been either
tall and thin and I’ve never been either and it hadn’t happened yet so I just
and it hadn’t happened yet so I just
and it hadn’t happened yet so I just didn’t think somebody like me could be
didn’t think somebody like me could be
didn’t think somebody like me could be Miss Texas but there was pretty darn
Miss Texas but there was pretty darn
Miss Texas but there was pretty darn close and so I shifted my mindset and I
close and so I shifted my mindset and I
close and so I shifted my mindset and I thought I’m gonna do this one more time
thought I’m gonna do this one more time
thought I’m gonna do this one more time I’m gonna go back a fifth year and this
I’m gonna go back a fifth year and this
I’m gonna go back a fifth year and this time I’m really gonna put every effort
time I’m really gonna put every effort
time I’m really gonna put every effort into the top spot so I went back to miss
into the top spot so I went back to miss
into the top spot so I went back to miss Texas a fifth year and this time I was
Texas a fifth year and this time I was
Texas a fifth year and this time I was Miss Dallas and I worked every no Dowlen
Miss Dallas and I worked every no Dowlen
Miss Dallas and I worked every no Dowlen our fancy right I worked every day of
our fancy right I worked every day of
our fancy right I worked every day of that year to do something that would
that year to do something that would
that year to do something that would make me the best choice when I got to
make me the best choice when I got to
make me the best choice when I got to Miss Texas that year so I got there I
Miss Texas that year so I got there I
Miss Texas that year so I got there I competed in preliminary competition
competed in preliminary competition
competed in preliminary competition singing and dancing for talent again I
singing and dancing for talent again I
singing and dancing for talent again I think I did don’t cry for me Argentina
think I did don’t cry for me Argentina
think I did don’t cry for me Argentina was my talent
was my talent
was my talent the Madonna version in case there was
the Madonna version in case there was
the Madonna version in case there was any not the not the Patti LuPone version
any not the not the Patti LuPone version
any not the not the Patti LuPone version Madonna and so the fifth year they
Madonna and so the fifth year they
Madonna and so the fifth year they called my name in the top ten and I
called my name in the top ten and I
called my name in the top ten and I recompete it in all the areas of
recompete it in all the areas of
recompete it in all the areas of competition including swimsuit and when
competition including swimsuit and when
competition including swimsuit and when they called the top five they did not
they called the top five they did not
they called the top five they did not call my name and so that year I fell
call my name and so that year I fell
call my name and so that year I fell from third place to seventh place and to
from third place to seventh place and to
from third place to seventh place and to say that I was disappointed would be
say that I was disappointed would be
say that I was disappointed would be correct I wasn’t devastated I really did
correct I wasn’t devastated I really did
correct I wasn’t devastated I really did always have some perspective but I was
always have some perspective but I was
always have some perspective but I was certainly disappointed and so I said
certainly disappointed and so I said
certainly disappointed and so I said congratulations you’ve come close but
congratulations you’ve come close but
congratulations you’ve come close but it’s time for you to you know hang up
it’s time for you to you know hang up
it’s time for you to you know hang up your pageant shoes and get a job you
your pageant shoes and get a job you
your pageant shoes and get a job you maybe and so I went to Miss America with
maybe and so I went to Miss America with
maybe and so I went to Miss America with my close friend who won that year and I
my close friend who won that year and I
my close friend who won that year and I watched her Miss America experience and
watched her Miss America experience and
watched her Miss America experience and I just kept thinking maybe there’s
I just kept thinking maybe there’s
I just kept thinking maybe there’s something else I could do or maybe I
something else I could do or maybe I
something else I could do or maybe I should just give it one more shot most
should just give it one more shot most
should just give it one more shot most people said you shouldn’t most people
people said you shouldn’t most people
people said you shouldn’t most people said you’ve tried five five times so I
said you’ve tried five five times so I
said you’ve tried five five times so I came home from Miss America watching
came home from Miss America watching
came home from Miss America watching Reagan compete and I just finally had to
Reagan compete and I just finally had to
Reagan compete and I just finally had to focus on a few people whose opinions
focus on a few people whose opinions
focus on a few people whose opinions really mattered to me and they said I
really mattered to me and they said I
really mattered to me and they said I think you can do this you know I think
think you can do this you know I think
think you can do this you know I think the age limit is 24 and if you’re not a
the age limit is 24 and if you’re not a
the age limit is 24 and if you’re not a hundred percent sure that you have given
hundred percent sure that you have given
hundred percent sure that you have given it your all you don’t want to look back
it your all you don’t want to look back
it your all you don’t want to look back 10 15 20 years later at this decision
10 15 20 years later at this decision
10 15 20 years later at this decision this moment and wonder how your life
this moment and wonder how your life
this moment and wonder how your life would be different if you hadn’t decided
would be different if you hadn’t decided
would be different if you hadn’t decided to go for it
to go for it
to go for it and so I did I decided to go back to
and so I did I decided to go back to
and so I did I decided to go back to Miss Texas a sixth year and this time I
Miss Texas a sixth year and this time I
Miss Texas a sixth year and this time I was Miss Arlington again and I again
was Miss Arlington again and I again
was Miss Arlington again and I again worked every single day of that year to
worked every single day of that year to
worked every single day of that year to make myself the best candidate when I
make myself the best candidate when I
make myself the best candidate when I got to Miss Texas and I had a little bit
got to Miss Texas and I had a little bit
got to Miss Texas and I had a little bit of a better mindset because I realized
of a better mindset because I realized
of a better mindset because I realized that you know hard work matters but it’s
that you know hard work matters but it’s
that you know hard work matters but it’s not the only factor there are lots of us
not the only factor there are lots of us
not the only factor there are lots of us who are working hard to achieve those
who are working hard to achieve those
who are working hard to achieve those goals so it’s not the only thing it
goals so it’s not the only thing it
goals so it’s not the only thing it matters a lot but it’s not the only
matters a lot but it’s not the only
matters a lot but it’s not the only thing and so I’ve got that that 6th year
thing and so I’ve got that that 6th year
thing and so I’ve got that that 6th year I had a better mental attitude oh and
I had a better mental attitude oh and
I had a better mental attitude oh and the sixth year I also for talent I
the sixth year I also for talent I
the sixth year I also for talent I didn’t sing and dance I just danced so
didn’t sing and dance I just danced so
didn’t sing and dance I just danced so keep that in mind and the sixth year I
keep that in mind and the sixth year I
keep that in mind and the sixth year I did make the top ten I did make the top
did make the top ten I did make the top
did make the top ten I did make the top five so there are five of us on the
five so there are five of us on the
five so there are five of us on the stage they call the fourth runner-up
stage they call the fourth runner-up
stage they call the fourth runner-up they call the third runner-up they call
they call the third runner-up they call
they call the third runner-up they call the second runner-up so it’s me and taro
the second runner-up so it’s me and taro
the second runner-up so it’s me and taro Watson that’s a good friend you know the
Watson that’s a good friend you know the
Watson that’s a good friend you know the moment where you’re holding hands and
moment where you’re holding hands and
moment where you’re holding hands and you’re crying going you’re probably
you’re crying going you’re probably
you’re crying going you’re probably gonna win know it should be you thinking
gonna win know it should be you thinking
gonna win know it should be you thinking please let it be me
please let it be me
please let it be me and they called her name first runner-up
and they called her name first runner-up
and they called her name first runner-up and that meant by default I was Miss
and that meant by default I was Miss
and that meant by default I was Miss Texas now it was a long time ago and so
Texas now it was a long time ago and so
Texas now it was a long time ago and so I bring this with me to prove it’s true
I bring this with me to prove it’s true
I bring this with me to prove it’s true because I think sometimes people are
because I think sometimes people are
because I think sometimes people are going well that that doesn’t sound right
going well that that doesn’t sound right
going well that that doesn’t sound right but it’s true this is the crown box and
but it’s true this is the crown box and
but it’s true this is the crown box and this is the Miss Texas crown and it’s
this is the Miss Texas crown and it’s
this is the Miss Texas crown and it’s proof that it did finally happen and I
proof that it did finally happen and I
proof that it did finally happen and I got to go to Miss America and I never
got to go to Miss America and I never
got to go to Miss America and I never thought a girl like me you would go to
thought a girl like me you would go to
thought a girl like me you would go to missing
missing
missing America and when I got there I competed
America and when I got there I competed
America and when I got there I competed and had an awesome experience and I did
and had an awesome experience and I did
and had an awesome experience and I did not win and miss Virginia won and she
not win and miss Virginia won and she
not win and miss Virginia won and she was a great Miss America and I got to
was a great Miss America and I got to
was a great Miss America and I got to come home to Texas and travel the whole
come home to Texas and travel the whole
come home to Texas and travel the whole state and share a message about helping
state and share a message about helping
state and share a message about helping children be the best that they can be
children be the best that they can be
children be the best that they can be because that’s what I learned in my
because that’s what I learned in my
because that’s what I learned in my hometown of Odessa and so after that I
hometown of Odessa and so after that I
hometown of Odessa and so after that I did some other things I joined a got
did some other things I joined a got
did some other things I joined a got involved in the the news business which
involved in the the news business which
involved in the the news business which is something I was really interested in
is something I was really interested in
is something I was really interested in and so as I end today what I really
and so as I end today what I really
and so as I end today what I really won’t want to say is I realize this is
won’t want to say is I realize this is
won’t want to say is I realize this is not a story about beauty pageants you
not a story about beauty pageants you
not a story about beauty pageants you know for me this is a story about a life
know for me this is a story about a life
know for me this is a story about a life lesson that I had the privilege of
lesson that I had the privilege of
lesson that I had the privilege of learning early on that has had a huge
learning early on that has had a huge
learning early on that has had a huge impact and that is hard work but it is
impact and that is hard work but it is
impact and that is hard work but it is also being willing to step out of your
also being willing to step out of your
also being willing to step out of your comfort zone even when you’re not quite
comfort zone even when you’re not quite
comfort zone even when you’re not quite ready to do it so why walk across the
ready to do it so why walk across the
ready to do it so why walk across the stage six times in a swimsuit because it
stage six times in a swimsuit because it
stage six times in a swimsuit because it forces you to see yourself differently
forces you to see yourself differently
forces you to see yourself differently to take steps to reach the next level
to take steps to reach the next level
to take steps to reach the next level and for me change your life and this is
and for me change your life and this is
and for me change your life and this is something I’m still heavily you know I
something I’m still heavily you know I
something I’m still heavily you know I had this conversation with myself often
had this conversation with myself often
had this conversation with myself often because right now I am the midst of
because right now I am the midst of
because right now I am the midst of transitioning from an 18-year career
transitioning from an 18-year career
transitioning from an 18-year career doing something that I’m I think pretty
doing something that I’m I think pretty
doing something that I’m I think pretty good at and that people have accepted me
good at and that people have accepted me
good at and that people have accepted me in transitioning into something very new
in transitioning into something very new
in transitioning into something very new and different something I am very
and different something I am very
and different something I am very excited about to work here at the
excited about to work here at the
excited about to work here at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin
University of Texas of the Permian Basin
University of Texas of the Permian Basin and and also a little bit terrified
and and also a little bit terrified
and and also a little bit terrified about because you know you still hear
about because you know you still hear
about because you know you still hear those eighteen-year-old voices saying
those eighteen-year-old voices saying
those eighteen-year-old voices saying well what if what if they figure out
well what if what if they figure out
well what if what if they figure out you’re a fraud or what if they figure
you’re a fraud or what if they figure
you’re a fraud or what if they figure out you’re not quite ready or what if
out you’re not quite ready or what if
out you’re not quite ready or what if they figure out that you’re not as
they figure out that you’re not as
they figure out that you’re not as talented as they thought you were and so
talented as they thought you were and so
talented as they thought you were and so I try to just push those messages down
I try to just push those messages down
I try to just push those messages down with the life lessons I have that say
with the life lessons I have that say
with the life lessons I have that say otherwise and that is I am an F I will
otherwise and that is I am an F I will
otherwise and that is I am an F I will outwork you if I’m not enough and how
outwork you if I’m not enough and how
outwork you if I’m not enough and how we’ll figure out a way to make it
we’ll figure out a way to make it
we’ll figure out a way to make it successful so today I hope that you will
successful so today I hope that you will
successful so today I hope that you will grab your swimsuit and go walk across
grab your swimsuit and go walk across
grab your swimsuit and go walk across the stage somewhere
the stage somewhere
the stage somewhere we’re a cover-up if you have to but find
we’re a cover-up if you have to but find
we’re a cover-up if you have to but find the courage and the strength to do what
the courage and the strength to do what
the courage and the strength to do what is not comfortable get out of your auto
is not comfortable get out of your auto
is not comfortable get out of your auto pilot zone and pursue something that
pilot zone and pursue something that
pilot zone and pursue something that will change your life I’m excited about
will change your life I’m excited about
will change your life I’m excited about my next chapter and what it holds for me
my next chapter and what it holds for me
my next chapter and what it holds for me and for our community if I didn’t have
and for our community if I didn’t have
and for our community if I didn’t have that courage that I learned at 18 19 20
that courage that I learned at 18 19 20
that courage that I learned at 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 I would never be able to do
21 22 23 24 I would never be able to do
21 22 23 24 I would never be able to do it so thank you so much for having me
it so thank you so much for having me
it so thank you so much for having me here with you today
here with you today
here with you today [Applause]
”
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