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My Story
Growing up, I never dreamed of myself being an actress, model or a pageant titleholder. My family always watched the Miss America Pageant and my sisters would always say “Daphne, you would be Miss Congeniality.” I would always think that in no way could I be in the Miss America Pageant, because all the girls had high grades in school and I struggled so hard to make a C. My high school counselors would tell my parents not to waste money on me going to college, because I couldn’t do it.
Fortunately, my parents didn’t listen to them.
My freshman year in college, I found the courage in myself to work hard, but also follow my strengths. After joining a pop band as the lead singer, I was nominated by one of the men’s dorms to represent them in the college pageant. I laughed and told my roommate that there was no way I would win. I won—and didn’t know that it was a pageant for Miss America. I then went to Miss Kentucky, and found this was an amazing opportunity for me to pay my way through school.
I went to Miss Kentucky three times and won the title the third time, which took me to the Miss America Pageant. The experiences I gained each time taught me self-respect, confidence, and the ability to take away new skills from any situation. We didn’t have platforms then, and the word “dyslexia,” which I had, wasn’t a prominent term. I made it my purpose during my title-holding years to educate people of the hardships children endure having this disorder.
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My Mission
Because of the pageants and the opportunities they opened, I was thrust into a world that I never thought I would be able to face on my own—yet I did! I performed in musical theatre, was a host at other pageants, and even went on to judge for the Miss America Organization. I have been on radio and talk shows, modeled, and even designed a clothing line.
My passion has always been to educate the public on the importance of pageants and how they can change the women that compete in them. I have coached women of all shapes and sizes, and seen the positive impact it has made in their lives when they take on a pageant with a positive outlook.
My life changed both during and after the pageants. I not only advocate for the children with learning disabilities, but also for women that have been sexually assaulted, which I have been a victim of. My life experiences, along with the opportunities and skills that pageants have given me have supplied me with the strength and the know-how to speak out about the issues of disabilities and violence, and the mental toll it has on women.