Back in the day, when people asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" my answer was straightforward: an artist. Simple, right? But life has this way of throwing twists and turns, and my journey took a detour when I found myself in Cameron, NC. In those early days of settling in, the hunt for a job became a top priority. What I discovered, much to my surprise, was not the bustling, crowded places I had envisioned but a plethora of small businesses dotting the community. After about four weeks of relentless job hunting, I landed a gig at Pink of The Pines—a store that showcased the vibrant patterns of Lilly Pulitzer. Now, I'll admit, wild colors and pinks weren't exactly my cup of tea, but my first day in January was an eye-opener. The place was buzzing with activity, and suddenly, I found myself eager to dive in. Working at Pink of The Pines peeled back the layers, revealing the profound impact a small business can have on a community. It was here, amidst the lively patterns and hues, that my interest in social media marketing began to take root, ultimately becoming a passion. The dream that emerged from this experience was to not just start small businesses back in my hometown but to kick it up a notch and establish a public relations firm. Picture this: a firm that becomes the beacon for local businesses, not just in terms of visibility but by unraveling the intricate world of social media. Beyond the routine promotion, our focus would delve into the analytics, examining the numbers behind each post. It's about crafting stories that resonate, leveraging the data to leave a lasting impression on the audience and elevate the market presence of these enterprises. So, from a kid dreaming of paintbrushes and canvases to finding inspiration in the vibrant small businesses of Cameron, NC, my journey has led me to a fervent commitment to give back to local enterprises. The ultimate goal? To make that dream PR firm a reality and be the voice that amplifies the unique tales and pursuits of my community. Alongside I would love to donate to the local pageant organizations. Being Former Miss Moore Agricultural I have a love for my community in all aspects. Therefore having the funds and ability to give back and be there for my hometown I would consider it an honor.

Addiction, it's this complicated thing that's everywhere. It doesn't care who you are or where you come from. It's like this invisible force that messes with people's lives, making things all tangled up. In our everyday stories, addiction can be this game-changer that messes with who we are, strains the ties that bind us, and makes everything feel kinda messed up. This story is all about digging into what addiction does to people and how it ripples through our lives. It's not just about the struggle but also about finding a way out and understanding what it does to us and the people around us. All my life I was surrounded by alcohol, my Grannie, Grandpap, and my Dad. To them it seemed that alcohol was a way out, especially for my Father. I never thought I would become addicted to something so easily. It became my way to escape reality, make my own life story. Growing up I don't remember a time where my relationship with my Dad felt 'normal'. From the outside we were a happy family, living it though is a different story. March of 2022 I finally decided to speak out against my Father. The night before I visited my school's Child Protective Services (CPS) case worker I was blamed for the sexual abuse he caused. He told me that I am just like the girl's he preyed after in high school, "Big tits and daddy issues." Those were the exact word he told me. That's when I had enough. The case worker helped tons looking back at it. However, my addiction began. I was sent to live in a Temporary Safety Placement (TPS). I lived there for six months and I loved it, I loved the family. During this time I started diving deeper into my addition. First I started vaping, the cigarettes, and next thing I knew I was sitting on their porch passing a joint back and forth to my TSP Mom. That's when I started thinking weed was normal and you can't get addicted. I was addicted to the high, the feeling of freedom, no stressful home CPS case in sight when high. With this high came major depression. Depression wasn't anything new to me, but the intensity of the highs and lows were. I was eventually admitted into a Mental Hospital, they knew by my blood tests what I had been dabbling in before arriving. My case worker found out about everything. I was sent to therapy for sexual and emotional abuse along with addiction therapy. In my dark spiral, my therapist was slowly pulling me out. I am no longer living in my parents and happily enrolled in Appalachian State University and have since become a member of Delta Zeta's sorority. Along the way my addiction didn't miraculously stop, it was a struggle. I had relapses and had to be hospitalized again. However, since finding my people and my passion in Business Marketing I have found the urge for marijuana become easier to handle. I am working to this day to be completely clean of all harmful chemicals, I would say I am doing pretty well.