Four Times Finalist, but this time its bigger than me

: My Journey : From Dreaming of the Crown to Becoming the Impact

Four Times a Finalist , But This Time, It's Bigger Than Me

This is my fourth time competing in a teen pageant. For years, I've stood on stages with hope in my heart and a vision in my mind. I've always known that pageantry was never just about beauty , it's also about brains, about presence, about using your voice to shape a better world. I knew that from the start.

But knowing that and living that are two very different things.

This year, something shifted. I no longer entered just to win , I entered to serve. I stepped into this space not only as a contestant, but as a young woman on a mission to break barriers and turn intention into true impact.

With The Rise Project, I have already been able to reach communities in The Gambia that the world too often overlooks. I've organized a charity dinner, collected clothing and school supplies, raised awareness around period poverty, and traveled across the world to produce a documentary that gives voice to pain, hope, and resilience. And yet, I know this is just the beginning.

Because this journey has taught me that impact is priceless.

I've seen with my own eyes how one project can bring light to a family. I've felt the power of simply showing up, listening, and giving what you can. That's something no crown, sash, or spotlight can replace.

Being in the pageant world for this long has also made me incredibly resilient. I've learned how to rise after disappointment, how to re-enter with even more purpose, and how to hold onto a vision that grows stronger each year. It's given me a long-term mindset , not just to compete, but to lead. To not only win a title, but to build a legacy.

For the first time, I don't just want the crown , I embody what it stands for. Not because I have to, but because it's who I've become.