guys everything that I am and all that I am and all that I will be started with
am and all that I will be started with
am and all that I will be started with my relationship with God
my relationship with God
my relationship with God I was raised in a two-parent home they
I was raised in a two-parent home they
I was raised in a two-parent home they were godly people and in my day and time
were godly people and in my day and time
were godly people and in my day and time there was no daycares and there if there
there was no daycares and there if there
there was no daycares and there if there were a few take cares
were a few take cares
were a few take cares there was no daycares for a person like
there was no daycares for a person like
there was no daycares for a person like me you know what I’m talking about a
me you know what I’m talking about a
me you know what I’m talking about a person of color but my grandmother my
person of color but my grandmother my
person of color but my grandmother my grandfather my mother’s parents lived
grandfather my mother’s parents lived
grandfather my mother’s parents lived next door to us I’m here to tell you
next door to us I’m here to tell you
next door to us I’m here to tell you right now that was the best daycare that
right now that was the best daycare that
right now that was the best daycare that anybody could have I had the best meals
anybody could have I had the best meals
anybody could have I had the best meals I had the best toys I had somebody that
I had the best toys I had somebody that
I had the best toys I had somebody that was understanding and was for me at all
was understanding and was for me at all
was understanding and was for me at all times
times
times so I started out with parents teaching
so I started out with parents teaching
so I started out with parents teaching me who God was
me who God was
me who God was my grandparents enforcing it and they’re
my grandparents enforcing it and they’re
my grandparents enforcing it and they’re molding me and getting me ready for a
molding me and getting me ready for a
molding me and getting me ready for a world that might not be so kind they
world that might not be so kind they
world that might not be so kind they didn’t tell me right off the bat that I
didn’t tell me right off the bat that I
didn’t tell me right off the bat that I was a person of color and that the world
was a person of color and that the world
was a person of color and that the world may not be nice to me because I’m a
may not be nice to me because I’m a
may not be nice to me because I’m a person of color they started me off
person of color they started me off
person of color they started me off telling me I could do anything that I
telling me I could do anything that I
telling me I could do anything that I wanted to do I could accomplish anything
wanted to do I could accomplish anything
wanted to do I could accomplish anything that I wanted to accomplish but I had to
that I wanted to accomplish but I had to
that I wanted to accomplish but I had to keep God as my foundation you know as a
keep God as my foundation you know as a
keep God as my foundation you know as a child I’m wondering okay that sounds
child I’m wondering okay that sounds
child I’m wondering okay that sounds good and I came through a generation to
good and I came through a generation to
good and I came through a generation to from what mother and dad said and
from what mother and dad said and
from what mother and dad said and grandmother and Griffin
grandmother and Griffin
grandmother and Griffin you believe that you took that to the
you believe that you took that to the
you believe that you took that to the bank that was a check that you took to
bank that was a check that you took to
bank that was a check that you took to the bank and it was not going to bounce
the bank and it was not going to bounce
the bank and it was not going to bounce so right off the bat I know God was this
so right off the bat I know God was this
so right off the bat I know God was this cool dude he was very cool and anything
cool dude he was very cool and anything
cool dude he was very cool and anything that I needed he was going to be there
that I needed he was going to be there
that I needed he was going to be there for me he was going to take care of me
for me he was going to take care of me
for me he was going to take care of me he was going to he was just going to be
he was going to he was just going to be
he was going to he was just going to be my guy then I started getting into some
my guy then I started getting into some
my guy then I started getting into some things coming on up in elementary school
things coming on up in elementary school
things coming on up in elementary school getting into some things trying to show
getting into some things trying to show
getting into some things trying to show a little taste I’m going like okay when
a little taste I’m going like okay when
a little taste I’m going like okay when I got in trouble where is God so I came
I got in trouble where is God so I came
I got in trouble where is God so I came home one day and I asked my mom okay you
home one day and I asked my mom okay you
home one day and I asked my mom okay you know
know
know this happened and got in trouble and got
this happened and got in trouble and got
this happened and got in trouble and got a little spanking and God wasn’t there
a little spanking and God wasn’t there
a little spanking and God wasn’t there and my mother said to me real quickly
and my mother said to me real quickly
and my mother said to me real quickly now you see a wreath okay when you make
now you see a wreath okay when you make
now you see a wreath okay when you make your trouble he doesn’t have to be there
your trouble he doesn’t have to be there
your trouble he doesn’t have to be there but you need to understand something
but you need to understand something
but you need to understand something that you got a whippin it wasn’t any
that you got a whippin it wasn’t any
that you got a whippin it wasn’t any worse than that he was still there
worse than that he was still there
worse than that he was still there because it could have been worse they
because it could have been worse they
because it could have been worse they could have sent you home from school you
could have sent you home from school you
could have sent you home from school you could have lost grades my mama always
could have lost grades my mama always
could have lost grades my mama always was the person of reason so as I began
was the person of reason so as I began
was the person of reason so as I began to move up the ladder in education
to move up the ladder in education
to move up the ladder in education education became very very important to
education became very very important to
education became very very important to me and in my home education was
me and in my home education was
me and in my home education was important and the first thing that I got
important and the first thing that I got
important and the first thing that I got in trouble about really serious trouble
in trouble about really serious trouble
in trouble about really serious trouble about was not making good grades and not
about was not making good grades and not
about was not making good grades and not trying my mother said to me you’re not a
trying my mother said to me you’re not a
trying my mother said to me you’re not a d student you may not be a straight A
d student you may not be a straight A
d student you may not be a straight A student but you’re not a d student and I
student but you’re not a d student and I
student but you’re not a d student and I want you to learn early not to settle
want you to learn early not to settle
want you to learn early not to settle not to think that you can wait to the
not to think that you can wait to the
not to think that you can wait to the last minute and get by and at 61 years
last minute and get by and at 61 years
last minute and get by and at 61 years old guys I am still a procrastinator but
old guys I am still a procrastinator but
old guys I am still a procrastinator but I am NOT a last minute person I’m the
I am NOT a last minute person I’m the
I am NOT a last minute person I’m the last five minutes I can operate real
last five minutes I can operate real
last five minutes I can operate real well if give me five minutes and I can I
well if give me five minutes and I can I
well if give me five minutes and I can I can I can I can perform miracles okay
can I can I can perform miracles okay
can I can I can perform miracles okay all right now I’m not a last minute
all right now I’m not a last minute
all right now I’m not a last minute person now I raise the son who is the
person now I raise the son who is the
person now I raise the son who is the last second person he can Kalakh but
last second person he can Kalakh but
last second person he can Kalakh but when he involves me then there’s a
when he involves me then there’s a
when he involves me then there’s a problem I can’t go to the last second
problem I can’t go to the last second
problem I can’t go to the last second and it took me forever to get that
and it took me forever to get that
and it took me forever to get that across to him okay G we’re good partners
across to him okay G we’re good partners
across to him okay G we’re good partners if you give me five minutes but if you
if you give me five minutes but if you
if you give me five minutes but if you give me a second we’re in trouble
give me a second we’re in trouble
give me a second we’re in trouble especially if you’re dependent on me but
especially if you’re dependent on me but
especially if you’re dependent on me but the other side of that is if at the end
the other side of that is if at the end
the other side of that is if at the end of my five minutes I’ve only got a
of my five minutes I’ve only got a
of my five minutes I’ve only got a second and I needed five more minutes
second and I needed five more minutes
second and I needed five more minutes who do you think i’ma call not
who do you think i’ma call not
who do you think i’ma call not Ghostbusters but Grail in person because
Ghostbusters but Grail in person because
Ghostbusters but Grail in person because he can get it done in a second I was
he can get it done in a second I was
he can get it done in a second I was born and raised here I’m not just old
born and raised here I’m not just old
born and raised here I’m not just old socks on but I’m Clarksville
socks on but I’m Clarksville
socks on but I’m Clarksville and one of the reasons why that I never
and one of the reasons why that I never
and one of the reasons why that I never really encountered a lot of obstacles of
really encountered a lot of obstacles of
really encountered a lot of obstacles of what I wanted to do and I couldn’t do it
what I wanted to do and I couldn’t do it
what I wanted to do and I couldn’t do it is because I was raised in a community
is because I was raised in a community
is because I was raised in a community that believed in it’s on and I never
that believed in it’s on and I never
that believed in it’s on and I never ever ever really experienced racism
ever ever really experienced racism
ever ever really experienced racism you’re going like okay you are crazy
you’re going like okay you are crazy
you’re going like okay you are crazy no I didn’t when we integrate integrated
no I didn’t when we integrate integrated
no I didn’t when we integrate integrated when I was in the sixth grade when we
when I was in the sixth grade when we
when I was in the sixth grade when we integrated there was no problem
integrated there was no problem
integrated there was no problem because the kids that I was going to
because the kids that I was going to
because the kids that I was going to school with or the kids that I played
school with or the kids that I played
school with or the kids that I played with every day they lived across the
with every day they lived across the
with every day they lived across the street from me and we kids who people
street from me and we kids who people
street from me and we kids who people don’t know think no anything we couldn’t
don’t know think no anything we couldn’t
don’t know think no anything we couldn’t understand while I went that way to
understand while I went that way to
understand while I went that way to school and they went that way to school
school and they went that way to school
school and they went that way to school man and then when we integrated it was
man and then when we integrated it was
man and then when we integrated it was just a big old family reunion not a big
just a big old family reunion not a big
just a big old family reunion not a big old party
old party
old party okay now the grown-ups they were a
okay now the grown-ups they were a
okay now the grown-ups they were a little bit nervous about things okay but
little bit nervous about things okay but
little bit nervous about things okay but we kids we had it we had it going on we
we kids we had it we had it going on we
we kids we had it we had it going on we were already friends
were already friends
were already friends we’re already knew the likes and
we’re already knew the likes and
we’re already knew the likes and dislikes of each other we had it going
dislikes of each other we had it going
dislikes of each other we had it going on Clarksville High School that’s my
on Clarksville High School that’s my
on Clarksville High School that’s my place when I got to Clarksville High
place when I got to Clarksville High
place when I got to Clarksville High School the first thing that I found out
School the first thing that I found out
School the first thing that I found out one of the first things I was reassured
one of the first things I was reassured
one of the first things I was reassured about was that whatever I wanted to do
about was that whatever I wanted to do
about was that whatever I wanted to do if I was willing to work for it really
if I was willing to work for it really
if I was willing to work for it really strive for it and not quit I could get
strive for it and not quit I could get
strive for it and not quit I could get it done I am a person that was the first
it done I am a person that was the first
it done I am a person that was the first person of color to do a lot of things
person of color to do a lot of things
person of color to do a lot of things but as I was doing those things
but as I was doing those things
but as I was doing those things I didn’t think okay I’m black no black
I didn’t think okay I’m black no black
I didn’t think okay I’m black no black person has ever done this before all I
person has ever done this before all I
person has ever done this before all I was thinking about was this is something
was thinking about was this is something
was thinking about was this is something that I’m passionate about this is
that I’m passionate about this is
that I’m passionate about this is something I want to achieve and I’m
something I want to achieve and I’m
something I want to achieve and I’m going for it my mom and daddy had told
going for it my mom and daddy had told
going for it my mom and daddy had told me I could my grandparents who were my
me I could my grandparents who were my
me I could my grandparents who were my first teachers told me I could all my
first teachers told me I could all my
first teachers told me I could all my teachers had told me I could her pastor
teachers had told me I could her pastor
teachers had told me I could her pastor at church had told me I could so why was
at church had told me I could so why was
at church had told me I could so why was I not going to try the only way to fail
I not going to try the only way to fail
I not going to try the only way to fail my brothers and my sisters is to never
my brothers and my sisters is to never
my brothers and my sisters is to never try and not to keep on trying it can’t
try and not to keep on trying it can’t
try and not to keep on trying it can’t quit no matter what the end results are
quit no matter what the end results are
quit no matter what the end results are he can’t quit as my brother said his
he can’t quit as my brother said his
he can’t quit as my brother said his outcomes may not have been what he
outcomes may not have been what he
outcomes may not have been what he wanted them to be but it was a win when
wanted them to be but it was a win when
wanted them to be but it was a win when he gave it all he had and they did
he gave it all he had and they did
he gave it all he had and they did everything that they thought they could
everything that they thought they could
everything that they thought they could to win three weeks ago my high school
to win three weeks ago my high school
to win three weeks ago my high school the high school that I teach it took
the high school that I teach it took
the high school that I teach it took running Tuckerman Tucker in Arkansas
running Tuckerman Tucker in Arkansas
running Tuckerman Tucker in Arkansas Jackson County School District High
Jackson County School District High
Jackson County School District High School basketball team went to the
School basketball team went to the
School basketball team went to the championship state championship and we
championship state championship and we
championship state championship and we felt like we won we lost but we felt
felt like we won we lost but we felt
felt like we won we lost but we felt like we weren’t because we did
like we weren’t because we did
like we weren’t because we did everything possible that we could do we
everything possible that we could do we
everything possible that we could do we didn’t feel like we got some great calls
didn’t feel like we got some great calls
didn’t feel like we got some great calls but we did everything possible so it’s
but we did everything possible so it’s
but we did everything possible so it’s almost a win for us a big win was that
almost a win for us a big win was that
almost a win for us a big win was that we got there that was a great feat we
we got there that was a great feat we
we got there that was a great feat we were in the Final Four so a lot of
were in the Final Four so a lot of
were in the Final Four so a lot of schools never made it but I’m gonna go
schools never made it but I’m gonna go
schools never made it but I’m gonna go back to college when I came to this
back to college when I came to this
back to college when I came to this college I met a gentleman by the name of
college I met a gentleman by the name of
college I met a gentleman by the name of dr. Charles Dawson
dr. Charles Dawson
dr. Charles Dawson he was my music dad and he saw something
he was my music dad and he saw something
he was my music dad and he saw something in me that no one else ever saw I sang
in me that no one else ever saw I sang
in me that no one else ever saw I sang in church all the time my momma started
in church all the time my momma started
in church all the time my momma started me as a little girl singing in church
me as a little girl singing in church
me as a little girl singing in church got whippings about singing in church
got whippings about singing in church
got whippings about singing in church she didn’t want to the one to sit in the
she didn’t want to the one to sit in the
she didn’t want to the one to sit in the back and pass notes and show out the way
back and pass notes and show out the way
back and pass notes and show out the way kids want to do my mom would always come
kids want to do my mom would always come
kids want to do my mom would always come and get me if I sneak to the back and
and get me if I sneak to the back and
and get me if I sneak to the back and bring me to the front and sometimes my
bring me to the front and sometimes my
bring me to the front and sometimes my punishment was right in front of
punishment was right in front of
punishment was right in front of everybody
everybody
everybody a pinch of heart pinch and your face
a pinch of heart pinch and your face
a pinch of heart pinch and your face couldn’t show that it would hurt and you
couldn’t show that it would hurt and you
couldn’t show that it would hurt and you certainly couldn’t say ouch because that
certainly couldn’t say ouch because that
certainly couldn’t say ouch because that called for two or three more pinches and
called for two or three more pinches and
called for two or three more pinches and if you looked crazy that called for a
if you looked crazy that called for a
if you looked crazy that called for a trip outside and a trip outside what’s
trip outside and a trip outside what’s
trip outside and a trip outside what’s going to be a spankin can y’all tell me
going to be a spankin can y’all tell me
going to be a spankin can y’all tell me something where was scan in those days
something where was scan in those days
something where was scan in those days nobody told my mom and daddy that they
nobody told my mom and daddy that they
nobody told my mom and daddy that they couldn’t with me and let me tell you
couldn’t with me and let me tell you
couldn’t with me and let me tell you something I was not abused I tell my
something I was not abused I tell my
something I was not abused I tell my kids if I’d gotten one last Whitman one
kids if I’d gotten one last Whitman one
kids if I’d gotten one last Whitman one less grounding there is no telling what
less grounding there is no telling what
less grounding there is no telling what type of menace to society I would have
type of menace to society I would have
type of menace to society I would have been whatever I’ve done I’ve done it big
been whatever I’ve done I’ve done it big
been whatever I’ve done I’ve done it big and I’ve done it well that this is a
and I’ve done it well that this is a
and I’ve done it well that this is a kind of raw crazy analogy but I’d have
kind of raw crazy analogy but I’d have
kind of raw crazy analogy but I’d have probably had about 25 children
probably had about 25 children
probably had about 25 children by about 35 different men that scary in
by about 35 different men that scary in
by about 35 different men that scary in it now that’s something my mom and dad
it now that’s something my mom and dad
it now that’s something my mom and dad saw in me and they whipped it out of me
saw in me and they whipped it out of me
saw in me and they whipped it out of me now not that I was excited about men but
now not that I was excited about men but
now not that I was excited about men but that I like to do things in a big way
that I like to do things in a big way
that I like to do things in a big way and that I could be very very colorful
and that I could be very very colorful
and that I could be very very colorful in my choices they scared me about their
in my choices they scared me about their
in my choices they scared me about their promiscuity thing so I wasn’t one of
promiscuity thing so I wasn’t one of
promiscuity thing so I wasn’t one of those girls either but going back to
those girls either but going back to
those girls either but going back to college I came on to this campus and
college I came on to this campus and
college I came on to this campus and right about that time I realized that I
right about that time I realized that I
right about that time I realized that I was too young to be in college I turned
was too young to be in college I turned
was too young to be in college I turned 16 in January of my senior year okay I
16 in January of my senior year okay I
16 in January of my senior year okay I had to come home and sit down and talk
had to come home and sit down and talk
had to come home and sit down and talk to momma about this okay now what
to momma about this okay now what
to momma about this okay now what happened well what happened was when I
happened well what happened was when I
happened well what happened was when I started school at the proper age I was
started school at the proper age I was
started school at the proper age I was in a black school my mom had taught me
in a black school my mom had taught me
in a black school my mom had taught me how to read she had taught me how to
how to read she had taught me how to
how to read she had taught me how to write so what do you think I was what
write so what do you think I was what
write so what do you think I was what ahead of the game I am the recipient of
ahead of the game I am the recipient of
ahead of the game I am the recipient of a double promotion so I graduated high
a double promotion so I graduated high
a double promotion so I graduated high school at the age of 16 I came on this
school at the age of 16 I came on this
school at the age of 16 I came on this college campus at the age of 16 and
college campus at the age of 16 and
college campus at the age of 16 and still to this day I’m trying to figure
still to this day I’m trying to figure
still to this day I’m trying to figure out how why my mom and dad let me do
out how why my mom and dad let me do
out how why my mom and dad let me do that I came to this campus everybody was
that I came to this campus everybody was
that I came to this campus everybody was dating everybody was driving everybody
dating everybody was driving everybody
dating everybody was driving everybody was doing a lot of things that I had not
was doing a lot of things that I had not
was doing a lot of things that I had not done they were doing a lot of things
done they were doing a lot of things
done they were doing a lot of things that I was not going to do but it sure
that I was not going to do but it sure
that I was not going to do but it sure looked like fun
looked like fun
looked like fun well my music dad dr. Dawson
well my music dad dr. Dawson
well my music dad dr. Dawson he got 16 thing out of my mind and
he got 16 thing out of my mind and
he got 16 thing out of my mind and grabbed me gave me a scholarship put me
grabbed me gave me a scholarship put me
grabbed me gave me a scholarship put me in the choir not just mentored me as my
in the choir not just mentored me as my
in the choir not just mentored me as my music dad but he all will all became my
music dad but he all will all became my
music dad but he all will all became my dad the second year that I was here I
dad the second year that I was here I
dad the second year that I was here I went into my voice lesson and he said to
went into my voice lesson and he said to
went into my voice lesson and he said to me miss college Ozarks Evers College –
me miss college Ozarks Evers College –
me miss college Ozarks Evers College – those are seeing miss college Ozarks
those are seeing miss college Ozarks
those are seeing miss college Ozarks pageant is going to be in about a month
pageant is going to be in about a month
pageant is going to be in about a month and you’re going to represent the choir
and you’re going to represent the choir
and you’re going to represent the choir – wait a minute what what you say you’re
– wait a minute what what you say you’re
– wait a minute what what you say you’re going to represent the choir and I said
going to represent the choir and I said
going to represent the choir and I said I don’t know about that now what is it
I don’t know about that now what is it
I don’t know about that now what is it about he said well there’s a evening
about he said well there’s a evening
about he said well there’s a evening gown competition there’s a swimsuit
gown competition there’s a swimsuit
gown competition there’s a swimsuit competition and there’s a talent
competition and there’s a talent
competition and there’s a talent competition I know you’ll kill that
competition I know you’ll kill that
competition I know you’ll kill that talent competition I said so you think
talent competition I said so you think
talent competition I said so you think I’m ugly but I can sing so I said no I’m
I’m ugly but I can sing so I said no I’m
I’m ugly but I can sing so I said no I’m just saying that you are the total
just saying that you are the total
just saying that you are the total package backs me he calls me backs when
package backs me he calls me backs when
package backs me he calls me backs when you’re the total package nothing doc I
you’re the total package nothing doc I
you’re the total package nothing doc I still don’t know about that okay
still don’t know about that okay
still don’t know about that okay I’m 17 then all right I’m getting ready
I’m 17 then all right I’m getting ready
I’m 17 then all right I’m getting ready to turn 18 he said well I think it would
to turn 18 he said well I think it would
to turn 18 he said well I think it would be a good deal so I’m already in my mind
be a good deal so I’m already in my mind
be a good deal so I’m already in my mind nice it’s not going to happen what
nice it’s not going to happen what
nice it’s not going to happen what happens that day is when I come in from
happens that day is when I come in from
happens that day is when I come in from school he called my mama and my daddy my
school he called my mama and my daddy my
school he called my mama and my daddy my mom and my daddy were large and in
mom and my daddy were large and in
mom and my daddy were large and in charge at my house and if they were
charge at my house and if they were
charge at my house and if they were alive today they would still be large
alive today they would still be large
alive today they would still be large and in charge so I came in the door my
and in charge so I came in the door my
and in charge so I came in the door my mom was all excited you’re got to be at
mom was all excited you’re got to be at
mom was all excited you’re got to be at that pageant and I said well love I just
that pageant and I said well love I just
that pageant and I said well love I just don’t know about that my daddy said
don’t know about that my daddy said
don’t know about that my daddy said you’re going to be in their pageant okay
you’re going to be in their pageant okay
you’re going to be in their pageant okay something that I didn’t want to do and I
something that I didn’t want to do and I
something that I didn’t want to do and I was really scared of open doors for this
was really scared of open doors for this
was really scared of open doors for this little girl that I could have never
little girl that I could have never
little girl that I could have never imagined okay I won the pageant and I
imagined okay I won the pageant and I
imagined okay I won the pageant and I was going like Oh what is this and then
was going like Oh what is this and then
was going like Oh what is this and then they told me they didn’t tell me until
they told me they didn’t tell me until
they told me they didn’t tell me until later that that pageant was a
later that that pageant was a
later that that pageant was a prerequisite of the miss Arkansas
prerequisite of the miss Arkansas
prerequisite of the miss Arkansas pageant so I’m sure not for that thing
pageant so I’m sure not for that thing
pageant so I’m sure not for that thing miss Arkansas patches then it
miss Arkansas patches then it
miss Arkansas patches then it kinda clicked in my mind that because of
kinda clicked in my mind that because of
kinda clicked in my mind that because of who I was that that night might not even
who I was that that night might not even
who I was that that night might not even be something that could happen doc said
be something that could happen doc said
be something that could happen doc said you go and be the bag speed that I know
you go and be the bag speed that I know
you go and be the bag speed that I know you’re going to be fine I went to that
you’re going to be fine I went to that
you’re going to be fine I went to that miss Arkansas pageant and I won the
miss Arkansas pageant and I won the
miss Arkansas pageant and I won the Coleman overall talent winner that was
Coleman overall talent winner that was
Coleman overall talent winner that was the best talent in the pageant talent
the best talent in the pageant talent
the best talent in the pageant talent was 50% I won the evening gown per
was 50% I won the evening gown per
was 50% I won the evening gown per division and I was second in swimsuit
division and I was second in swimsuit
division and I was second in swimsuit okay that set me up for something pretty
okay that set me up for something pretty
okay that set me up for something pretty good right I win I win that talent
good right I win I win that talent
good right I win I win that talent preliminary and that qualifies me for
preliminary and that qualifies me for
preliminary and that qualifies me for top ten I get to top 10 that qualifies
top ten I get to top 10 that qualifies
top ten I get to top 10 that qualifies me for our serious run for Miss Arkansas
me for our serious run for Miss Arkansas
me for our serious run for Miss Arkansas I’m still not sure if I want this thing
I’m still not sure if I want this thing
I’m still not sure if I want this thing or not but my daddy is sitting on the
or not but my daddy is sitting on the
or not but my daddy is sitting on the second row looking at me ie I wanted
second row looking at me ie I wanted
second row looking at me ie I wanted yeah I wanted okay I wanted what I
yeah I wanted okay I wanted what I
yeah I wanted okay I wanted what I wanted or not I wanted okay so that
wanted or not I wanted okay so that
wanted or not I wanted okay so that night I wondered overall talent and I
night I wondered overall talent and I
night I wondered overall talent and I became the second runner-up I was the
became the second runner-up I was the
became the second runner-up I was the first person of color to win a
first person of color to win a
first person of color to win a preliminary that was the talent
preliminary that was the talent
preliminary that was the talent preliminary they didn’t announce they
preliminary they didn’t announce they
preliminary they didn’t announce they even again but I won that to first
even again but I won that to first
even again but I won that to first person of color to become top ten and
person of color to become top ten and
person of color to become top ten and when you have in all of these points why
when you have in all of these points why
when you have in all of these points why was I second runner-up and not miss
was I second runner-up and not miss
was I second runner-up and not miss Arkansas you’re probably going okay what
Arkansas you’re probably going okay what
Arkansas you’re probably going okay what happened the girl that won was in my
happened the girl that won was in my
happened the girl that won was in my division I’d already beat her in
division I’d already beat her in
division I’d already beat her in swimsuit in talent and evening gown so
swimsuit in talent and evening gown so
swimsuit in talent and evening gown so how did she win the title the people
how did she win the title the people
how did she win the title the people that were in charge of the pageant came
that were in charge of the pageant came
that were in charge of the pageant came to me after the pageant was over now
to me after the pageant was over now
to me after the pageant was over now imagine this little girl 18 years old
imagine this little girl 18 years old
imagine this little girl 18 years old from Clarksville Arkansas from the
from Clarksville Arkansas from the
from Clarksville Arkansas from the University of those arts colleges Ozarks
University of those arts colleges Ozarks
University of those arts colleges Ozarks Ozarks had never had a queen to go down
Ozarks had never had a queen to go down
Ozarks had never had a queen to go down there and even be noticed
there and even be noticed
there and even be noticed was i proud was i even worrying about
was i proud was i even worrying about
was i proud was i even worrying about being miss Arkansas I had one and not
being miss Arkansas I had one and not
being miss Arkansas I had one and not one because I did everything that I
one because I did everything that I
one because I did everything that I could do to win
could do to win
could do to win I always liked dressing up my mama and
I always liked dressing up my mama and
I always liked dressing up my mama and my Girl Scout leader who designed my
my Girl Scout leader who designed my
my Girl Scout leader who designed my gowns they had me together doc had my
gowns they had me together doc had my
gowns they had me together doc had my talent together and that swimsuit thing
talent together and that swimsuit thing
talent together and that swimsuit thing a little nervous about that but when I
a little nervous about that but when I
a little nervous about that but when I got there I found out I was okay in that
got there I found out I was okay in that
got there I found out I was okay in that division too I was a tomboy so I was one
division too I was a tomboy so I was one
division too I was a tomboy so I was one muscle I used to be teased about being
muscle I used to be teased about being
muscle I used to be teased about being muscular and didn’t realize that was to
muscular and didn’t realize that was to
muscular and didn’t realize that was to my benefit my use of my sister used to
my benefit my use of my sister used to
my benefit my use of my sister used to say those big old ugly muscles in your
say those big old ugly muscles in your
say those big old ugly muscles in your legs and I wanted to hide them so I was
legs and I wanted to hide them so I was
legs and I wanted to hide them so I was really scared when I put that swimsuit
really scared when I put that swimsuit
really scared when I put that swimsuit on that everybody was going to pay
on that everybody was going to pay
on that everybody was going to pay attention to those muscles and they did
attention to those muscles and they did
attention to those muscles and they did but they won me that position after the
but they won me that position after the
but they won me that position after the pageant and me being excited about that
pageant and me being excited about that
pageant and me being excited about that and everybody been excited and happy for
and everybody been excited and happy for
and everybody been excited and happy for me it still didn’t come to me that I
me it still didn’t come to me that I
me it still didn’t come to me that I probably should have won that pageant
probably should have won that pageant
probably should have won that pageant pageant organizers came to me and they
pageant organizers came to me and they
pageant organizers came to me and they said we had a northern judge you should
said we had a northern judge you should
said we had a northern judge you should have won this pageant once again I say
have won this pageant once again I say
have won this pageant once again I say to you I did win first person of color
to you I did win first person of color
to you I did win first person of color to win a preliminary first person of
to win a preliminary first person of
to win a preliminary first person of color to be in the top ten first curve
color to be in the top ten first curve
color to be in the top ten first curve person of color to win the talent award
person of color to win the talent award
person of color to win the talent award first person of color to be a runner-up
first person of color to be a runner-up
first person of color to be a runner-up she was just miss Arkansas she didn’t
she was just miss Arkansas she didn’t
she was just miss Arkansas she didn’t win any of those people were still
win any of those people were still
win any of those people were still trying to figure out how she won okay
trying to figure out how she won okay
trying to figure out how she won okay miss Arkansas gets a contract to make
miss Arkansas gets a contract to make
miss Arkansas gets a contract to make several appearances she gets a wardrobe
several appearances she gets a wardrobe
several appearances she gets a wardrobe she gets a car runner-ups give us a
she gets a car runner-ups give us a
she gets a car runner-ups give us a contract I got a contract let me tell
contract I got a contract let me tell
contract I got a contract let me tell you how I really won that thing she had
you how I really won that thing she had
you how I really won that thing she had about 20 appearances I had about fifty
about 20 appearances I had about fifty
about 20 appearances I had about fifty did I win that thing
did I win that thing
did I win that thing I’ve won that night okay now we’re in 74
I’ve won that night okay now we’re in 74
I’ve won that night okay now we’re in 74 I don’t know how Clarksville lives for
I don’t know how Clarksville lives for
I don’t know how Clarksville lives for you guys right now but once again I
you guys right now but once again I
you guys right now but once again I never experienced racism and
never experienced racism and
never experienced racism and discrimination let me tell you a quick
discrimination let me tell you a quick
discrimination let me tell you a quick story my father law I found my
story my father law I found my
story my father law I found my sweetheart here at Ozarks
sweetheart here at Ozarks
sweetheart here at Ozarks I married a Ozarks man and my father law
I married a Ozarks man and my father law
I married a Ozarks man and my father law brought all of his siblings came to us
brought all of his siblings came to us
brought all of his siblings came to us our my father said to me when he came in
our my father said to me when he came in
our my father said to me when he came in 66 or 67 that as he came up the hill
66 or 67 that as he came up the hill
66 or 67 that as he came up the hill that he saw this young black men and
that he saw this young black men and
that he saw this young black men and young white woman walking down the hill
young white woman walking down the hill
young white woman walking down the hill and he said oh my god they’re gonna hang
and he said oh my god they’re gonna hang
and he said oh my god they’re gonna hang him by nightfall
him by nightfall
him by nightfall he said the hardest decision he had to
he said the hardest decision he had to
he said the hardest decision he had to make was whether to leave his daughter
make was whether to leave his daughter
make was whether to leave his daughter here or not and she called him later on
here or not and she called him later on
here or not and she called him later on said daddy you know that’s what goes on
said daddy you know that’s what goes on
said daddy you know that’s what goes on on the campus of Ozarks so I’m in good
on the campus of Ozarks so I’m in good
on the campus of Ozarks so I’m in good shape I never experienced that so I
shape I never experienced that so I
shape I never experienced that so I didn’t really get it didn’t have a
didn’t really get it didn’t have a
didn’t really get it didn’t have a chance to be sour or bitter about not
chance to be sour or bitter about not
chance to be sour or bitter about not winning Miss Arkansas because to me I
winning Miss Arkansas because to me I
winning Miss Arkansas because to me I want had more appearances in her people
want had more appearances in her people
want had more appearances in her people knew me they knew me they didn’t know
knew me they knew me they didn’t know
knew me they knew me they didn’t know her there were a couple of places I went
her there were a couple of places I went
her there were a couple of places I went to to represent the Arkansas pageant and
to to represent the Arkansas pageant and
to to represent the Arkansas pageant and they saw me and they said we were
they saw me and they said we were
they saw me and they said we were looking for Kay back speed I am K back
looking for Kay back speed I am K back
looking for Kay back speed I am K back speed oh okay well we just want you to
speed oh okay well we just want you to
speed oh okay well we just want you to judge we don’t want you to sing singing
judge we don’t want you to sing singing
judge we don’t want you to sing singing music has been my passion I learned I
music has been my passion I learned I
music has been my passion I learned I understood God better through music I
understood God better through music I
understood God better through music I understood a lot of life lessons through
understood a lot of life lessons through
understood a lot of life lessons through music and music opened a lot of doors
music and music opened a lot of doors
music and music opened a lot of doors for me something happened during this
for me something happened during this
for me something happened during this one pageant where they told me they
one pageant where they told me they
one pageant where they told me they didn’t want to sing me want me to sing
didn’t want to sing me want me to sing
didn’t want to sing me want me to sing and they came and got me said we need
and they came and got me said we need
and they came and got me said we need you to sing
you to sing
you to sing I sang and at the end of that pageant
I sang and at the end of that pageant
I sang and at the end of that pageant when the practice was over the very
when the practice was over the very
when the practice was over the very people that came to me and told me they
people that came to me and told me they
people that came to me and told me they didn’t have time for me to sing for the
didn’t have time for me to sing for the
didn’t have time for me to sing for the people that came up to me and were
people that came up to me and were
people that came up to me and were crying is it so music opened that door
crying is it so music opened that door
crying is it so music opened that door Ozark opened many doors for me guys it
Ozark opened many doors for me guys it
Ozark opened many doors for me guys it taught me to persevere it taught me that
taught me to persevere it taught me that
taught me to persevere it taught me that I could do anything that I wanted to do
I could do anything that I wanted to do
I could do anything that I wanted to do if I was willing to work hard for it it
if I was willing to work hard for it it
if I was willing to work hard for it it taught me to love and trust God because
taught me to love and trust God because
taught me to love and trust God because I went to Chapel every Tuesday my
I went to Chapel every Tuesday my
I went to Chapel every Tuesday my parents chose a Christian college so
parents chose a Christian college so
parents chose a Christian college so that I would have a foundation in God
that I would have a foundation in God
that I would have a foundation in God and I had strong parents had taught me
and I had strong parents had taught me
and I had strong parents had taught me part
part
part then I got college parents his Qualis is
then I got college parents his Qualis is
then I got college parents his Qualis is one of our college parents I have a show
one of our college parents I have a show
one of our college parents I have a show choir a lot of the moves that we use in
choir a lot of the moves that we use in
choir a lot of the moves that we use in choreography miss Qualls taught me in
choreography miss Qualls taught me in
choreography miss Qualls taught me in dance this is one of the graces greatest
dance this is one of the graces greatest
dance this is one of the graces greatest places that I’ve ever been and it opened
places that I’ve ever been and it opened
places that I’ve ever been and it opened many doors for me if you will use it as
many doors for me if you will use it as
many doors for me if you will use it as you’re supposed to
you’re supposed to
you’re supposed to you’ll take positive vibes from here you
you’ll take positive vibes from here you
you’ll take positive vibes from here you can make a break even if you leave in
can make a break even if you leave in
can make a break even if you leave in the middle if you have adversity it will
the middle if you have adversity it will
the middle if you have adversity it will teach you how to deal with that versity
teach you how to deal with that versity
teach you how to deal with that versity but if you’re successful you’re on your
but if you’re successful you’re on your
but if you’re successful you’re on your way I always want to be a game-changer
way I always want to be a game-changer
way I always want to be a game-changer and I always want to make a difference I
and I always want to make a difference I
and I always want to make a difference I teach at a school that has 950 students
teach at a school that has 950 students
teach at a school that has 950 students all the way all the way through and I
all the way all the way through and I
all the way all the way through and I teach k12 music in the morning I see a
teach k12 music in the morning I see a
teach k12 music in the morning I see a different group of young people every 40
different group of young people every 40
different group of young people every 40 minutes in the afternoon I have three
minutes in the afternoon I have three
minutes in the afternoon I have three high school choir classes so was I
high school choir classes so was I
high school choir classes so was I prepared yes I was more than prepared I
prepared yes I was more than prepared I
prepared yes I was more than prepared I know more music than I could ever teach
know more music than I could ever teach
know more music than I could ever teach but I thank God for the opportunity that
but I thank God for the opportunity that
but I thank God for the opportunity that he opened the door for me to be here
he opened the door for me to be here
he opened the door for me to be here through scholarship and he opened the
through scholarship and he opened the
through scholarship and he opened the door for me to have a service-oriented
door for me to have a service-oriented
door for me to have a service-oriented career now if you let me I want to sing
career now if you let me I want to sing
career now if you let me I want to sing a little something that will tell you
a little something that will tell you
a little something that will tell you something about me let there be peace on
something about me let there be peace on
something about me let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me O Lord
earth and let it begin with me O Lord
earth and let it begin with me O Lord let there be peace on earth
let there be peace on earth
let there be peace on earth puppy snot was meant to be with God
puppy snot was meant to be with God
puppy snot was meant to be with God as a father brothers all are we let me
as a father brothers all are we let me
as a father brothers all are we let me walk with my brother in perfect or phony
walk with my brother in perfect or phony
walk with my brother in perfect or phony let peace begin with me let this be the
let peace begin with me let this be the
let peace begin with me let this be the mom now with every step I take let this
mom now with every step I take let this
mom now with every step I take let this be my solemn vow to take each moment I
be my solemn vow to take each moment I
be my solemn vow to take each moment I live each moment in peace eternally
there be peace on earth on the lady
there be peace on earth on the lady it began with me
it began with me
it began with me II thank you
II thank you
II thank you [Applause]
”
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