10/16/2026
As I prepare to relinquish this crown, I find myself thinking less about the title and more about the people and moments that made this year so special. Service has been a part of who I am for most of my life, and being Ms. America’s Select Veteran gave me another incredible opportunity to continue that mission in a completely different way. Madam CEO Natasha Monique, thank you for believing in the women of this organization and giving us a platform where our voices, our stories, and our service matter. Kim Danner, thank you for your guidance, encouragement, and friendship throughout this journey. And to my best friend, the Honorable America’s Select Veteran, Margarieta Gellman—sharing this year with you has made it even more meaningful. We laughed, we served, we made memories, and together we had the privilege of representing something much bigger than ourselves.
What I will treasure most are the people we met and the opportunities we had to give back to our communities. Those moments reminded me that this crown was never about what was placed on my head; it was about what I could do while I had the honor of wearing it. I have spent much of my life believing that service doesn’t end when the uniform comes off, and this year proved that once again. So today, I may hand over this crown, but I am not walking away from the mission. I will continue serving, giving back, lifting others, and representing our veteran community with pride. Thank you for allowing me to carry this title. It has been one of the great honors of my life, and I will carry the memories, friendships, and lessons from this year long after the crown is gone.
Royal Productions PageantsAmerica's Select Veteran Outstanding QueenRenowned America's Select VeteranNatasha Monique Shivers SuttonShana RixterShellie WillisCandace Pixley