What were some of your involvements in college? Have those involvements helped you in any way in medical school?
I started competing in pageants/scholarship programs as a senior in high school, because to be honest I was so sick of just writing essays to earn money to pay for my education (coming from a single-parent household, I knew that all of the responsibility surrounding financing my education would fall to me). When I found the Distinguished Young Women of America (formerly America’s Junior Miss) program in a Princeton Review Scholarship Guide, I knew that I had to give it a shot!
Going into my first competition I had minimal expectations, yet somehow, I managed to win my state title and earn the opportunity to represent the state of Florida at the National Finals in Mobile, Alabama. Although I didn’t win (or even place at the national competition), I still had a phenomenal year left ahead of me serving the state of Florida.
Through pageantry/ scholarship competitions, not only did I have the opportunity to earn money towards my education, but I also got to perform my talent (I’m a dancer – lyrical is my choice style), serve as a goodwill ambassador to the community, and take on mentorship roles. I was hooked! And when I got to college, I continued to compete in the Miss America system (Miss University of Miami 2011, Miss Coral Gables 2014, Miss Pasco County Fair 2015, Miss Winter Park 2016) and eventually placed 2nd runner-up to the title of Miss Florida 2016 and won the title of Miss National Sweetheart 2016.
As a titleholder, I also launched my community service organization entitled Apples 4 Education through which I have donated almost $12,000 worth of supplies, graduation regalia, prom gowns, and backpacks to students at Title I Schools throughout the states of Florida and Pennsylvania. As a medical student, I co-founded Snacks for STEM to provide snacks, along with exposure to the field of medicine, to students whose families struggle with food insecurity.
I’m aware that many stereotypes/misconceptions exist in regards to pageantry and the young women who choose to compete in the many systems that exist. However, pageants are so much more than sparkly dresses, heels, and swimsuits – in fact, what I think I value the most from my time in pageantry (aside from the sisterhood I joined and the relationships I formed) is the “art of the interview.” What most don’t realize about pageantry is that at least 25% of our cumulative score comes from the “personal interview” portion of the pageant in which we are tasked with convincing a panel of 5 or more judges to give us a job for a year. Oh, did I also mention that we have 10 minutes or less to cinch the deal?
These skills have certainly helped me with throughout my career as a medical student and I’m sure they’ll carry through into my career as a dermatologist as well.
Aside from pageantry, I was also a President’s 100 Tour Guide and a College of Arts & Sciences Dean’s Student Ambassador. I spent a semester studying abroad in Rome, Italy through the Department of Religious Studies and also spent time in Ecuador on a global health brigade.