Bri's Story

“Do it scared, do it nervous, do it shaking, but do it fully.” This is something my high school dance coach told me when encouraging me to participate in our school’s pageant. There were many things I dreamed of accomplishing, but 17-year-old me chose to dream instead of do. Until I heard these words.

They carried me through that school pageant, carried me through college as a first-generation student, carried me through my community activism, carried me through my job search, and carried me through my Miss America experience. It shaped my mindset of life experiences and opened my eyes to a new world waiting for me to embrace. Though motivating in message, it can be daunting in action.

Picture this, I just finished competing for Miss Alabama for my first time. I placed 1st Runner-Up, won a preliminary award, made some friends, and gotten bit by the pageant bug. I signed up for my next local title, won, and embarked on a journey that I would’ve never imagined. I had graduated college, working while looking for another job, preparing for grad school, and juggling my duties as a titleholder. My plate was full.

Things weren’t going well in any of these areas to the point where I wanted to give up my title. I called one of the Miss Alabama board members to tell her of my resignation, and she told me “Bri, if I can tell you one thing, it is that you need to do this. I need you to be brave and go all the way.” And the words of my high school dance coach came rushing back.

After this conversation, I prayed heavily about my next step because I knew bravery requires courage and wisdom. And I needed both to continue the journey ahead. The following months consisted of faith and focus as I prepared to compete for Miss Alabama again. I paused my grad school application process, resigned from my job, and poured my efforts into my community service and Miss Alabama prep. I lived each day as if I was already Miss Alabama. Crazy I know, but it was crazy faith.

Taking a chance on myself, believing and trusting God for provision, working on local educational advocacy, working on talent, interview skills, onstage presence, and learning more of who I am. Scared, nervous, and shaking, I was doing it, but doing it fully. I was brave in the face of fear and worry, and it strengthened my faith, my confidence, and my resilience. This bravery continued on throughout my Miss Alabama experience and even today, inspiring others to be brave in their lives.

So dream, believe, but most importantly DO IT even if you have to do it scared.