September 2026 • No. 4

One of the things I find most difficult about being a titleholder is making sure I don’t get so caught up in the hustle and bustle that I forget to take care of the person underneath the crown.

And as I sit here writing this, I’ve been wondering if that’s really a titleholder problem at all or simply a human one.

It’s so easy to become consumed by the next goal, the next opportunity, the next career milestone, or the next thing on the calendar. We spend so much time chasing dreams and building the lives we’ve imagined for ourselves that sometimes we forget how important it is to slow down, smell the proverbial roses, and genuinely listen to what we need.

That’s something I’ve been intentionally prioritizing over the last few weeks, and I’m proud of the clarity it has brought me.

When I’m away from the stage, my life is just as busy but in a very different way.

I own a counseling private practice, and I also have the privilege of working for a mental health nonprofit where I oversee an incredible team providing 24/7 support to individuals experiencing mental health crises, thoughts of suicide, and gambling addiction.

After serving as Associate Director for the past couple of years, I’m incredibly excited to step into my new role as Director of Crisis Services.

With that promotion comes an exciting opportunity to help shape the continued growth of our department. One of the projects I’m particularly proud of has been working alongside our Advancement team to create a new program that will expand our services and provide life-saving support to nearly 1,500 additional individuals over the next three years.

There’s something incredibly rewarding about knowing that the work we do behind the scenes can have such a tangible impact on people’s lives. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most meaningful crowns we wear are the ones nobody ever sees.

My professional life recently took me to Columbia, Missouri, for the Missouri Crisis Convention. Of course, when you find yourself traveling for work, you have to make room for a little fun!

I was fortunate enough to have an evening free to spend with the Divas by Design at Arch & Column Pub, and it was such a treat to share a few laughs and take the stage with Veronika Versace & Cast.

Even more special was getting the chance to reconnect with so many of the CoMo gals I’ve had the opportunity to meet throughout the years.

One of the things I love most about pageantry is that it truly is an extended family. We may live in different cities, travel different roads, and find ourselves on different stages, but there’s something special about the connections that keep bringing us back together.

At the end of August, I headed back to St. Louis, Missouri, where I had the pleasure of hopping aboard the Booze Cruise for a wildly successful benefit show supporting my Miss Gay Missouri America little sister, Penelope Booze, as she prepares for Miss Gay America in January.

Penelope is incredibly kind, intelligent, and talented, and I wholeheartedly believe she has everything it takes to make her mark on that national stage again

I’m already looking forward to being in Atlanta, Georgia, cheering her on and watching her take that next big step in her journey.

There’s something really special about watching someone you care about chase a dream. I can’t wait to see where hers takes her.

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Labor Day has always been one of my favorite holidays and not because I’m particularly talented at firing up the BBQ grill.

For me, Labor Day means we get to experience one of the ultimate celebrations of glitz, glamour, and pageantry with the crowning of a new Mr. and Miss Continental in Chicago, Illinois.

This year felt especially meaningful because I had the opportunity to watch someone I admire tremendously accomplish a goal she first set out to conquer seven years ago.

Congratulations to Pattaya Hart and Joshuan Aponte on their incredible achievements. I can’t wait to follow their journeys throughout the coming year, celebrate their successes, and hopefully cross paths with them along the way.

My absolute favorite season is just around the corner, and I couldn’t be more excited to enjoy everything that fall brings: cooler temperatures, beautiful colors, and hopefully a little more time to slow down and appreciate it all.

But while I’m looking forward to slowing down, there’s still plenty happening on the horizon.

We are now just about eight months away from Miss Gay United States 2027, and I’m already looking toward the incredible ladies who will make up the next class of contenders.

If you’ve been thinking about stepping onto the national stage, maybe this is your sign.

I’m looking to build the Class of 2027 with performers, advocates, entertainers, and leaders who are ready to take their place in the Miss Gay United States family. If you’re ready to add your name to the list, let’s start talking about how we can get you qualified for the national competition.

And if you’re interested in becoming part of the GUS family as a promoter, I’d love to talk with you, too. There are communities all across the country waiting for their next opportunity to join the Miss Gay United States family, and I’d love to help make sure the road to MGUS travels right through your city.

For now, though, I’m reminding myself to enjoy the journey.

The crown is important. The career is important. The dreams are important. But so is the person underneath it all.

And sometimes, the most productive thing we can do is simply slow down long enough to hear what they’ve been trying to tell us.