When Crowns & Cancer Collide

Journey: A Pageant Adventure

My Pageant Journey

My pageant journey began when a friend convinced me to enter Mrs. Oregon International 96. I thought, "Why not try it just once?" With her help, I found a suit and a stunning green gown. For our opening number, I wore a red dress provided by a sponsor. Honestly, I felt like a duck waddling on stage in evening wear. I had no idea how to walk gracefully; my only practice involved balancing books on my head. Unsurprisingly, I didn't win anything that time.

Years later, in 2004, after my second marriage, I entered the Mrs. Oregon America pageant. This time, I took home the coveted Directors Award for selling the most ad pages. My journey continued as I entered another pageant, the United Nations Pageant in Savannah, Georgia. It was my first experience on a national stage as Mrs. Oregon 2007.

At that point, I considered myself a pageant veteran. While I didn’t win any crowns, I returned home with a valuable lesson: I could improve and become better with dedication. This realization led me to take on another title as Super Mrs. Oregon 2011.

Crowns Earned and Their Significance

So far, I have earned ten crowns, and I plan to pursue two more. Each crown has taught me valuable lessons about myself and the contestants I competed against. I learned the importance of accountability as a titleholder, the significance of personal behavior, and what it means to be a good leader.

Among all my crowns, one stands out as particularly significant. It was a turning point when I decided to go all out and claim a national crown. I was determined to win my next pageant, no matter what. I made bold clothing choices, like wearing a sportswear outfit with the word "Survivor" emblazoned across my chest for the judges to see. During my reign, I kept my head shaved to symbolize my worthiness for the title. My Fun Fashion outfit was inspired by the Kentucky Derby, and I chose a non-traditional interview suit. I practiced daily, honing my speaking skills and ensuring my message about cancer was loud and clear.

This was my crowning moment, and I won! I also received awards for Photogenic and Fun Fashion. This title is the crown I cherish the most.

Validation and Growth

Do I feel validated by the crowns, or do I validate the crowns? The truth is, the crowns do not define who I am. Instead, they have shaped me into a better version of myself. Each crown has led me to the next opportunity. My first experience was a bit of a fluke, but it ignited a passion for community service that I had already been pursuing. As a parent of a special needs daughter, I became involved with OSO and learned the true meaning of charity work. I took on the role of a cadet parent and volunteered with the sheriff's office, collaborating with our county commissioner on various community service projects.

The Woman Behind the Crown

Competing and winning while carrying a heavy personal story has been a journey of healing for me. I didn’t compete during my worst health struggles because I was physically unable to. After my husband passed away, I felt the need to compete again. I needed a distraction from the grief of losing my soulmate.

I convinced my daughter to join me in her first pageant, and together we swept our divisions, bringing home the national crown. This experience remains my most cherished and memorable pageant.

Competing Through Health Battles

I have not competed during my most challenging health battles. I simply couldn’t physically participate.

Her Story of Survival

Navigating my near-death experience due to a birth defect has been a complex journey. I continue to battle ongoing health issues, including two foot surgeries in four years and treatment every 28 days. I undergo yearly scans, which become more frequent if I experience complications. Throughout this, I have endured six car accidents, all of which were not my fault, while managing illness and loss. As a child, I didn’t grasp the gravity of my situation. My parents, especially my dad, remember it vividly. He stayed at his job for three extra years just to keep health insurance for me, which was the best available in Oregon at the time.

He often says he could have bought three Rolls Royces with the money spent on my medical care. I didn’t realize the extent of this until I became an adult, and by then, I had taken it for granted. Even after undergoing a radical hysterectomy at 23, I continued to face health challenges.

It took five doctors and over a year of pain before I finally received the necessary surgery. There was a time when I felt free of pain, but then it returned with a vengeance, leaving me feeling as if I had walked into a brick wall. I experienced extreme pain with no diagnosis, while healthcare professionals dismissed my symptoms and prescribed medications that didn’t address the root of my issues.

A Life-Altering Diagnosis

Receiving an end-stage cancer diagnosis was a shocking turning point. My doctor estimated I had roughly 2-10 years left. Suddenly, life felt chaotic. This illness turned my world upside down, but I chose to use it as a platform to reshape society’s perspective on cancer diagnoses. I want people to understand that it doesn’t have to be as devastating as it seems. Every day matters, and my family is my top priority.

The Sacrifices of Military Families

I want to raise awareness about the sacrifices military families make, especially when a parent dies from a service-related illness. Many sacrifices go unnoticed, and this should not be the case. Freedom of speech comes at a high price for military personnel and their loved ones. The families often suffer just as much, if not more, than the service members themselves. We must never forget their sacrifices.