Pageants have evolved far beyond mere showcases of pretty faces and sparkly dresses; they now stand as the crossroads where community engagement is not just a commitment but a heartfelt journey. Two living examples of this transformation are the current Mrs. and Miss Red Rock.
Joining the United States of America Pageants (USOA) revolves around encouraging women, to help them strive and achieve their hopes, dreams, goals, and aspirations, all while making them feel confident and beautiful inside and out. USOA focuses on women's empowerment, promoting positive self-image, and advocating a platform of community service, which allows each contestant to rise by lifting others. The organization’s motto is to “empower women, inspire others, and uplift everyone.”
That’s why I, the new USOA Miss Red Rock, Taylor West, and my sister in pageantry, the new USOA Mrs. Red Rock, Katrina Chapman, made the decision to join and give back to our community in as many ways as we could. For us, joining the pageant is not just about wearing a crown; it's about the call to empower, inspire, and uplift.
USOA Mrs. Red Rock and I have distinct yet complementary platforms. Chapman is actively engaged in enriching the lives of children in pediatric hospitals, while I am fostering open conversations about mental health situations for children, teens, and adults. Our partnerships with local nonprofit organizations amplify the impact we hope to leave on our community.
USOA Mrs. Red Rock's mission revolves around bringing joy and support to the lives of children in pediatric hospitals. Through a thoughtful approach encompassing play, assistance for families, and support for Child Life Departments, she is transforming the hospital experience for young patients.
“Doing nonprofit work in my community has always been important to me, and pageantry has allowed me to open so many more doors to continue that work,” said Chapman. “I have also had the experience of getting to volunteer at St. Rose Hospital after my son's sleep apnea surgery was performed there. There's something very special about getting to help the facility that made scary days a little less daunting for my family.”
Chapman’s commitment to community investment is exemplified by her collaborations with prominent charities across the valley. Notable partnerships with organizations like Kindness Conquers, which helps children with cancer and their families to cope with the weight that the illness carries, and Once Upon a Room, to provide personalized hospital room makeovers to promote happiness and healing in the lives of critically ill and extended stay pediatric patients.
With Chapman’s impact and constantly finding new ways to extend her generosity, she takes every avenue to ensure that the well-being of pediatric patients and their families is prioritized.
As Miss Red Rock, I am dedicated to fostering meaningful conversations surrounding mental health, with an emphasis on the often-overlooked mental health challenges after brain injuries, as well as making the topic of mental health digestible for children, teens, and adults.
I currently partner with the efforts of IDONTMIND, a charity that inspires open conversations about mental health and provides free resources, education, and encouragement for anyone who needs it. I also work with Same You, a brain injury recovery non-profit organization that works to develop better mental health recovery treatment for survivors, raises awareness, and advocates for change. Both of these national communities have not only helped millions but also helped me.
I have always been open about mental health topics, especially with our younger generations - they’re our future! However, after a personal experience with brain injury, and noticing the mass effects it has mentally that no one can physically see, I soon learned this wasn’t spoken about and care was limited - that didn’t, and still doesn't, sit well with me.
I aim to cultivate awareness surrounding the hidden pains beyond physical observation and provide education on what we don’t always see going on on the inside.
Both of us genuinely hope that our collective efforts and passion in our community show just how much we believe in, and want to nourish it now, and for years to come. By addressing both the immediate needs of pediatric patients and the long-term mental health challenges faced by children, teens, and adults, we hope to create large strides within our community, investing in its vitality not just for a few fleeting years, but for a lifetime.
"We hope to create large strides within our community, investing in its vitality...for a lifetime."