The Commit to the crown™ Story

In  the  beginning

Miss  Illinois 

My pageant career began late as far as pageant careers are concerned- at age 19 in the heart of central Illinois and home to University of Illinois- Champaign, IL. 

Pageantry didn't come so easily at first.

​I like to joke that I was a how-to in reverse, but eventually, with patience and persistence, I won the crown becoming Miss Champaign-Urbana 2011. 

It's important to remember while competing that the big pageant is only a part of your reign. While competing at Miss Illinois was an experience I will never forget, it's the people I met while serving the people of Champaign-Urbana that will forever be a part of my heart. 

Surprise Comeback

Sometimes the most important lessons we learn by not winning a pageant are what define us.

After moving to NYC, I had decided to return to pageantry compete in Miss NY US International on a whim. I wanted to meet women my age and I had an amazing dress.

​The catch- There was no talent and no interview, areas I traditionally felt very confident in.

I ended up surprising myself-placing best non-finishing finalist and walked away with an insight that would change the direction of my life:

What else was I not doing in my life simply because I had decided before trying that I wasn't good at it? 

Passing  it On

One of my last pageants was Miss Tourism USA. I was honored to win the title of Miss Tourism Charity recognizing my work for No Kid Hungry. Additionally, I won Miss Congeniality and Best in Interview. What's most important- I was able to mentor Miss New York City Preteen. The commitment to mentorship, service and ethics remains at the heart of Commit to the Crown™.

Today I pass the crown to you.
​What will you make of it?  

The places You'll Go

My favorite part of pageantry has definitely been all the places and people that I've met as a result- whether it was the World's Perfect Miss Pageant in Orlando, FL, fundraising for City Harvest in Manhattan, singing the national anthem in Central Illinois, volunteering on Long Island at the New York Angels Pageant, judging a pageant in New Jersey, walking in a fashion show in NYC, or hosting on the red carpet at Miss America.

​Pageants have taken me to the places I imagined and so much more.