Sashes and Safety

Day one of virtual school for my son nearly did me in. I thought getting him enrolled was the hard part. After all, I had to dig through every file cabinet, junk drawer, and possibly even the dark corners of my soul just to find all the paperwork they needed.…

Some of the strongest women I know are Judi and Michaela Cross. Out of the unthinkable tragedy of losing Tucker, they built a mission that has touched countless lives. Their determination to turn heartbreak into hope is the very heart of Tucker’s Promise Foundation. What could have ended in silence…

Life behind the crown isn’t all gowns, sashes, and sparkle. It’s real life, and mine is usually equal parts chaos and grace. I’m a mom of two and a proud linewife. Things in our home are never perfect. Most days feel like a balancing act where I’m holding my breath…

When people think of pageantry, they often picture crowns, gowns, and spotlights. What is less visible, but far more important, is the character that carries a queen long after the stage lights dim. One of the most essential qualities in this industry is humility. Pageants push you to put your…

When I first became a pageant director, I thought my main job would be organizing rehearsals, writing scripts, and making sure the night of the pageant went off without a hitch. What I did not expect was how deeply I would fall in love with the role and the people…

When I think about what pageantry has given me, one word comes to mind: growth. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to see this world from two very different perspectives. I’ve stood on stage as a contestant with butterflies in my stomach, and I’ve stood behind the scenes as…