Why did you decide to compete in the preliminary pageant to Miss Alaska?

I did not compete in a preliminary pageant – the Miss Alaska State level competition was my absolute first pageant experience, I had no idea what I was doing! I was graduating and didn’t have a plan until I was ready to apply to graduate programs. My older sister always tried to convince me to compete for Miss Alaska, but I never took her seriously until it became a realistic consideration. So she signed me up from Boston at the last minute, I graduated and came home to compete in less than a week!

  What was going through your head when you were announced as the new Miss Alaska?

I was absolutely shocked, as one can see from the captured look on my face in pictures! I never assumed I had any chance at taking a title in my very first pageant entry. Definitely the best part was to see the responses of my family and friends in the audience, the most awesome reaction may have been my Dad - he was the most excited of all! It was fantastic.

Tell us about your platform about Women’s Health, Amnesty and Education.

Throughout high school and college, I was actively involved in events benefiting a wide range of women’s issues – everything from domestic violence, to young women’s health and breast cancer. I feel that as a woman, Miss America is obliged to better the feminine community and to serve as a realistic and approachable role model for young women. I’m hoping that my platform will work to surpass obstacles such as religious and moral beliefs that retain progress and interfere with confined issues. Coming from my own experience at a low-socio economic and vastly culturally diverse high school, I firmly believe that teens need essential forms of information regarding their own health and rights, regardless of other’s moral objections. The issue of Breast Cancer has also recently rocked my own family, and for me is an especially important cause to support.

     When did you start performing opera?

When I was growing up, I played violin and piano and was always involved in community theatre. At age eleven, I saw my first opera, Rigoletto, at Anchorage Opera; I remember watching the soprano singing while lying on her back – I was stunned – and fell in love!

 What are you most looking forward to in the upcoming Miss America pageant?

After being in Florida at the Miss America Outstanding Teen competition, definitely being with the other girls – they’re the best! Every other girl is accomplished, driven, witty, interesting, and most importantly – just as goofy as I am! The setting of Miss America is such a revered spotlight in our culture, so it’s already such a privilege to have come this far; I’ll be thrilled just to be there. I’m also getting pumped at the chance to perform and sing on live TV – you never know what’s going to happen live!

    What degree are you currently pursuing in college/university and what career do you hope to have?

I just received my Bachelor of Music cum laude with a minor in French Literature & Language from Boston University. In the next few years I hope to obtain a Master’s of Music or pursue an Artist Diploma in Opera. I’m pursuing a professional performance career, as an operatic singer, but I’m more than willing to diversify my singing repertoire to musical theatre, recording, or contemporary if the price is right!

  Lastly, what would be your main goal as Miss Alaska?

To make this a year for the ringer – for everyone watching and following the pageant, I truly am the girl who could be picked out of anyone in the audience, finding themselves in the Miss America Pageant. I am so proud to be representing my home state - Alaska is often overlooked, but I plan to make us memorable!