09/01/2026
September will always be a month that means a little more to me. Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Su***de Prevention Month, and Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month aren’t simply awareness campaigns to me; they represent pieces of my own story and so much of the work I’ve been honored to do.
Seven years ago, on September 24, 2019, I was diagnosed with pediatric thyroid cancer. That experience changed the direction of my life in ways I never could have imagined, and this past May, I was incredibly grateful to celebrate 5 years cancer free! September also brings me closer to another anniversary of losing my mom to su***de, a loss that continues to shape my passion for mental health advocacy, prevention, and reminding others that they never have to struggle silently.
This September feels especially meaningful as I reflect on my year as Miss University of South Alabama. I entered this year wanting to use my title for something bigger than myself, and I’m so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to do just that. Through The Wellness Bridge, I brought our community together for another USA Out of the Darkness Walk, raising more than $15,000 for su***de prevention, advocated for su***de prevention legislation on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. with AFSP, supported pediatric cancer research through Rally Foundation and Children’s of Alabama, and continued using Wellness Wednesdays, speaking opportunities, and community outreach to advocate for both physical and mental wellness.
Being Miss University of South Alabama has given me a microphone, but the causes behind that microphone were part of me long before I ever wore the crown. This year has reminded me of just how powerful it can be when we use the positions we’re given to serve others. So this September, I’m celebrating survivors, remembering those we’ve lost, advocating for those still fighting, and continuing to turn awareness into action. I’m grateful that some of the hardest chapters of my story have given me a reason to help write better ones for someone else!
