If you would've asked me a year ago today what my goals were for the year, I'd tell you to shoot Miss America, the BCS National Championship, and the 2012 Olympics (yeah, that's a little far out there). Anyways, I really didn't think much about these goals, because everyone has resolutions or goals at the beginning of each year, right? Right. So, when I looked at my life in the fall, I said to myself, "what do people know me for? What am I doing with my life?" It was then that I decided to do something more, that not everyone can say they did. After all, life's all about experiences. Anyways, most of you know how I got to Miss America, but I thought it would be something that a TON of people come to photograph.
Not only was I completely wrong, I was shocked when I walked into the first press conference, and I was the only photographer in there (at the moment). The first conference started at 10am, and I got there at 9:30, to get a good seat..I didn't know that seat would be one that completed my life. At 10am, a woman came up to me, with an empty seat in front of me, and said "would you like to sit in the Associated Press seat?"....I wasn't the ONLY photographer in the Press Room, so why'd she ask me? I'll never know why she asked me that, but at that moment, I felt everything I'd ever photographed and witnessed in my lifetime was finally worth it. I was living the dream, well, my dream at least. Then, I thought of my grandmother. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be here. I don't know why certain things have happened in my life, but I wouldn't trade the things I've gone through for anything. Those things have shaped me into who I am.
This week has been amazingly worthwhile for me. I've gotten to represent The Trussville Tribune, which is an honor in itself, but to be the youngest member of the press, makes me feel even more honored to represent them.
To everyone who's supported me in the last few years, thank you. I feel like my dreams have come true, but I know I have a while to go until they actually do, but thank you for believing in me.
