Competing in Miss USA
- The experience of competing in the Miss USA pageant involved rigorous preparation, including the use of adhesive on swimwear before appearing on national television 0s.
- Miss USA was a significant event in the household during childhood, serving as a major point of interest for the family 15s.
- After completing the first year of a master's degree at Stanford, a one-way ticket was booked to Los Angeles to participate in the Miss USA competition 25s.
- During the competition, the field of 50 contestants was narrowed down through stages of 20, 10, and five, eventually leaving three finalists 45s.
Winning the Miss USA Title
- Upon being announced as the winner of Miss USA 2024, the realization of a goal set at age seven was achieved 1m15s.
- Winning the title served to challenge the notion that excellence is singular or one-size-fits-all, representing a broader impact beyond a personal victory 1m35s.
- The victory marked the first time an Afro-Latino woman and the first active-duty Army officer won the Miss USA title 1m55s.
Military Background and Identity
- As a cadet at the United States Military Academy, the experience was characterized by rigid structure and a lack of representation, which led to internal questioning regarding identity 2m10s.
- Growing up in a household with a father who served 24 years in the Army, Army values were a central part of life 2m25s.
- Facing recurring doubt at the academy led to the adoption of the philosophy that if one cannot see a role model, one must become that person 2m45s.
- Success was attributed to the refusal to abandon different pieces of one's identity rather than choosing between them 2m55s.
Psychological Impact of Suppressing Identity
- Research from Lean-In and McKinsey indicates that one in four women face pressure to downplay aspects of their identity 3m5s.
- Psychological research suggests that individuals who feel pressured to suppress their identity often experience higher stress, lower workplace belonging, and an increased risk of burnout 3m15s.
Embracing Dualities of Grit and Glamour
- Childhood experiences included balancing traditionally feminine interests with activities like playing soccer with boys, as well as winning a pageant at age seven while wearing a dress from a clearance rack 3m25s.
- Many individuals feel pressured to suppress conflicting aspects of their identity, such as being a computer scientist who enjoys art or someone who balances athletic prowess with a love for fashion 0s.
- Embracing these dualities, described as "grit and glamour," can serve as a personal superpower rather than a source of limitation 42s.
Navigating West Point and Self-Expression
- During a challenging sophomore year at the United States Military Academy at West Point, which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, the academic workload included 23 credit hours and a Survival Swim course 1m5s.
- As the only female math major in that grade, the experience involved balancing rigorous coding and mathematical proofs with the use of a $20 gel nail kit as a form of feminine expression 1m25s.
- A fellow female cadet noticed the nails while the student was working on coding homework, leading to a request for the student to paint the cadet's nails for the 100th Night ceremonial dinner 2m6s.
- These small acts of self-expression were not intended as rebellion, but rather as a way to define oneself and refuse to disappear in a restrictive environment 2m45s.
Betting on Oneself and Pursuing Goals
- Thriving in one's duality requires being the first to bet on oneself, which includes taking risks like submitting applications or pursuing challenging academic paths despite past struggles 3m5s.
- Self-rejection should be avoided by attempting goals before assuming the world will close doors 3m45s.
- Bringing one's full self to every situation, whether in a small classroom or a large stadium, allows for authentic connection and inspiration 4m5s.
Mentoring Young Girls and Inspiring Dreams
- During a year as Miss USA, interactions with students, such as high-fiving a young girl or responding to a middle schooler, highlighted the impact of an atypical journey 4m25s.
- A notable moment occurred in Denver, Colorado, when a group of young girls at a Girls Inc. workshop asked to see the student's "moves" upon arrival in a military uniform 4m55s.
- During an interaction with a group of 40 young girls, the importance of demonstrating that their dreams are achievable was prioritized over formal presentation 0s.
- Instruction was provided to the group on how to perform a salute by forming a "pancake" with the hand and placing the middle finger on the eyebrow 5s.
Reflections on the Miss USA Tenure
- The tenure as Miss USA occurred during a period when the organization had experienced two consecutive years of significant turmoil 25s.
- Approximately 95% of the time spent as Miss USA involved wearing a uniform and speaking to students at organizations like Girls Inc. about experiences at West Point, the study of mathematics, and being a Knight-Hennessy scholar 32s.
- Editing one's personality or identity when entering new environments carries the risk of failing to impact the lives of others 45s.
- The experience of being Miss USA was described as being similar to the experience at West Point, as both required finding resolve in grit and relief in glamour 52s.
Living Authentically and Achieving Success
- Ambition, tenacity, and a degree of delusion are identified as the factors that allowed for the achievement of goals despite external expectations to focus on only one path 1m0s.
- Individuals are encouraged to bring their full selves into every room, bet on themselves, and embrace the courage to exist in their own duality 1m8s.
- Refusing to exist as one's full self creates the risk of living a life that appears impressive externally but feels unfulfilling internally 1m15s.
- The ultimate honor is identified as being one's authentic self, rather than holding titles such as the 73rd Miss USA 1m23s.
- Success was attributed to the possession of multiple layers of identity rather than being achieved in spite of them 1m32s.
