Miss Dreamsville Volunteer

Obsessed with my sister queens. Are you kidding me?? Look at them!😍

Thank you 🤍

My heart is so full. Last night was so magical. I feel so blessed to be bringing home the Peoples Choice award AND the Overall Talent Award!

I have so many people to thank. First and foremost, my parents, without whom I wouldn’t be anything. Thank you for cutting my winning talent track. Thank you for believing in me and supporting me. Thank you for making me feel my most beautiful, inside and out. Thank you for helping me find my perfect gown. Thank you for giving me that perfect pageant glow. Thank you for making this such a great experience. Thank you to all of my fellow miss contestants for making the day so memorable and fun. I love you girls. Thank you to each and every person who came to support me, and all of those who were cheering me on from home.

Lastly a HUGE congratulations to our new and , and ! Brittney, Lucabella, you are two of the most accomplished women that I have ever met. You are so inspirational and you deserve this so much!

Bringing Dreamsville to Lima! 🌟

If there’s one thing I’m most excited for this weekend, it’s just to be there.

This evening, after driving home from my spray tan appointment with , my car overheated and started smoking, leaving me stranded on the side of the highway!

Thankfully, with the help of AAA, and my parents, I DO have a working vehicle to drive to Lima tomorrow!

This incident put into perspective what a PRIVILEGE it is to be competing .

Many women will never get the opportunity to do what we are doing this weekend. I only have God to thank for protecting me and providing me with this new perspective.

Your thoughts and prayers are appreciated for my travels tomorrow!🤍

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🌟EMPOWERMENT🌟 is the 5th point of the crown! I feel so blessed to be a part of an organization full of women who lift me up and encourage me to be my best!

Yesterday, I received a donation for from my good friend ! Farrah is an Occupational Therapy Assistant, Massage Therapist, Dance Instructor, and Children’s Book Author! Farrah donated TEN signed copies of her book, “Tons Of Tools To Help Me Be Me”. This book EMPOWERS children to find healthy coping mechanisms for all their big feelings!

I’m so excited to be gifting these books to !

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I have learned so many things from competing in pageants…

• how to turn construction criticism into motivation

• how to command a room

• how to do hair and makeup

• how to style an outfit

• how to brag about myself

The list goes on and on…

This photo was taken before I knew I would ever compete in a pageant. On this night, I was so inspired by what I saw on stage. I discovered that a pageant was a huge celebration of an incredible group of women and I thought, “I want to be that girl”. It’s wasn’t until after I started competing that I realized I didn’t want to be that girl. All I ever wanted to be was myself! Pageants have helped me find the woman I was always meant to be. Maybe they can do the same for you! When will your journey begin…

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Interview is such a vital part of the competition! Over the years, I have really come to love the interview process! I’ve been involved in several extra curricular activities that allowed me to practice my public speaking skills (theatre, mock trail, national honor society, etc.)

I’m thankful for pageantry for creating another safe space for me to break out of my shell! The pageant community gets a bad rep sometimes, but nothing else could have given me the confidence that I possess today! I can’t wait to meet the judges on Saturday, and show them why I’m fit for the job!

This photo was taken several years ago at one of my earlier pageants. I’ve come such a long way!

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May we never forget.

I don’t remember this day. I was only 9 months old. However, this is a day that will continue to be remembered by every US citizen for centuries.

There can be so much symbolism found in this day. It’s a day for honor. A day for condolences. A day for respect.

I am thinking of our nation today, as it continues to heal from past hardships. May we never give up. May we never stop fighting for what’s right. May we never forget.

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A fun fact about me: I used to be the secretary for a collegiate equestrian team!

I didn’t know anything about riding before I joined the team. My coach and my teammates really “showed me the ropes”, and before you know it, I was at my first competition!

While I was on my competition horse, Tex, my coach said, “You’re still performing, Rachel. This is just a different stage”. I ended up walking away with a blue ribbon at my very first competition!

That comment has stuck with me ever since. As a performer, it’s so valuable to be able to make the world your stage!

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Happy National Teddy Bear Day! 🧸

This year, is patnering with to collect items (including teddy bears) for local children’s hospitals!

If you are interested in collecting some items, let me know! I leave for Lima next week and I can take them with me!

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What advice would I give to young women?

Always. Be. Yourself.

Your talents, your perspective, your passions, they all bring something valuable to the table.

If you told me, years ago, that I would be advocating for veterans with PTSD, if you told me how much confidence I would gain, if you told me how many opportunities I would create, I would not have believed you.

You have the power to be exactly who you were meant to be. If you struggle with confidence, and would prefer to stay hidden away in your shell, I encourage you to join a pageant system.

This girl, in this photo, would not be who she is if it wasn’t for the support and encouragement of countless women from across the country.

When I look at this photo, I see myself as I truly am. I see light and happiness. I see whimsy and fun. I see Rachel, the way she has always longed to be seen.

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Volunteerism has always been close to my heart! That’s why I love the S.E.R.V.E. principles that is teaching young women!

This young girl attended my Princess Tea Party that I hosted at the Claymont Public Library! It was such a joy to be able to share a story about never giving up, as well as shed light on my platform, Hope For Our Heroes.

On this day, 20 bright smiling faces got to learn about confidence and the importance of giving back! I’m blessed to be in a position where I can inspire young girls to make the world a better place!💖

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📚It’s National Read A Book Day, and how could I choose just one??📚

In a little bit of a nerd when it comes to dogs, so I have a couple shelves dedicated to my canine science literature!

The top shelf of my book case contains my favorite books to read for entertainment! I have been a fan of The Selection series for years now and I’m still waiting for a movie🥺

The Selection is like a cross between The Hunger Games and The Bachelor, so if you’re a fan of either of those, I highly recommend! 🤭

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At my last pageant, my evening gown was blue 💙

What color do you think my gown will be for ???

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What do I do to prepare for competition?? That’s easy! I go visit ! I’m not kidding when I say I always have the absolute best experience here! Thank you for being a sponsor! I’ve also been doing lots of walking practice, running through my talent routine, and doing mock interviews with family!

Just two short weeks until we’re in Lima! Stay tuned tomorrow as I take over the social media for the day! It’s going to be a fun one!

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Why do I compete in pageants? Why would I willingly walk out on a stage to be judged? I do it because it makes me a better person. Pageants allow me to showcase my talents, my work ethic, and my heart. Pageants allow me to make new friends, learn new skills, and chase new dreams. If you’ve ever questioned the relevance of pageantry, I’m a runway-walking example of the good they can do. Before I found pageantry, I would walk the halls at school, staring at my feet. I simply could not look people in the eye. I didn’t realize how big of a problem it was until I competed at my first pageant and saw “eye contact” all over my score sheets. Since then, I make a conscious effort to walk with my held held high, and look people in the eye. I later learned that avoiding eye contact is a symptom of generalized anxiety disorder and PTSD, both of which I have been diagnosed with. If I hadn’t competed in that pageant, I might never have been able to get the help that I needed. Some people might look at it as pointing out my flaws, but I look at is as people equipping me with the right tools to succeed.

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The third point on the crown stands for “responsibility”. As young adults, we have many responsibilities thrust upon us all at once. One thing that I have realized, as a young person, is that yes, we have duties. Duties to ourselves, duties to our families, and duties to our communities. I encourage today’s youth to rise to the occasion and fulfill those duties. However, don’t lose yourself in the process. Learn how to take calculated, well thought out chances. You never know where you’ll end up. Learn about the mistakes of the past, and use them to propel you into the future. Responsibility isn’t about not having any fun. It’s about finding creative solutions to complex problems. By competing in , I have allowed myself to discover what my responsibilities truly are. I have found a purpose in uplifting those around me. I have found joy in making strangers smile. And I have found peace where I’ve been planted. Always give yourself more room to grow. There are times when you are responsible for others, but you’re also responsible for yourself, so handle yourself with care. You deserve it. 🤍

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I serve my community in many different ways! I have been focusing on raising awareness and funds for ! My home town is proud to be nicknamed “Dreamsville” by veterans who came through our depot and received food from the women running the canteen during WWII. We are also home to a famous service dog named “Bing”! Having many veterans in my family, as well as being a dog trainer and PTSD advocate, I am so passionate about the work that I do! I love being able to connect, educate, and fund raise!

How do you S.E.R.V.E your community??

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Fitness and Wellness has become a very important part of my life in the last few years. I’ve used exercise to help with my mental health. Hiking, yoga, dance workouts, and going to the gym have done wonders for me! As an Exercise Science major, I love learning all about how the body works, as well as the mind-body connection. It’s important for me, as a titleholder, to make fitness and wellness a priority. Prioritizing your health makes you a happier, more well rounded person. I want to be a role model for other people, and show them that progress is far more important than perfection. is a sponsor for . The next Miss Ohio Volunteer will get to work with Craig, having the opportunity to become an even better version of herself. Thank you for sponsoring our state and helping to prepare our queens for !

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On National Thoughtful Day, I wanted to thank one of my biggest supporters, my sister! Erin is one of the sweetest souls you will ever meet. She has faced adversity and it has only made her stronger. She’s always there for me to cheer me on and I’m so grateful for that! I’m so proud of the woman, wife, and human being that you’ve become! I’m always thankful for my big sis 💖

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Rosie walked, so we could run. Let’s do her proud and never settle for anything less than what we deserve!
Happy Women’s Equality Day 💪🏻💖

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My favorite thing about Ohio is getting to explore all the trail systems. I spent 2 1/2 years living in the Hocking Hills Region and while I was there, I found my love of hiking and going on long “hot girl walks”. There was a bike path right behind my apartment and gorgeous caves a short drive away. I couldn’t resist taking advantage of the beautiful scenery and visiting every chance I got! 🌿

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I spend a lot of time studying! In fact, I’m working on homework for my Sports Law class right now!

I currently have a degree in Animal Assisted Therapy from . Now, I’m working on my bachelor’s in Exercise Science from !

One day, I will be an Animal Assisted Occupational Therapist, working to develop the field of research. I want to take a deeper dive into the healing process and see how AAT can assist in recovery.

Education is a lifelong journey. We should always be learning and growing. That is what and helps us to do!

By offering scholarships, they encourage us to chase our dreams and live without limits! I will always be grateful for my pageant community who encourages me every single day!

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My mantra for the past few years has been “don’t limit yourself”. I started saying ‘yes’ to everything, even if it wasn’t a part of my original plan. Boy, has this way of thinking lead me to some beautiful places! Just yesterday, I was asked to be a speaker at the Deersville Homemakers Club Retreat at a 4H camp. The theme is the retreat was “Our Furry Babies”. My good friend, Penny Clark, asked if I could bring Finley and talk about dog training. Not only did I get to educate this wonderful group of ladies about Animal Assisted Therapy, but they were such a receptive crowd. Thank you so much for being attentive and interested in what I had to say. Thank you for asking questions and even taking notes! It was such a joy to be with you all! You made my day! Let this be your sign to start saying yes to opportunities when they come your way! What’s meant for you will surely find you!

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One of my most favorite things to do is perform! I have been on a stage since I was 9 years old! I played a munchkin in The Wizard of Oz and have been hooked ever since! Most recently, I got to be in the cast of Grease in Trumpet in the Land. I have a couple exciting projects in the works for my acting career and I can’t wait to share more about them!

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Here I’m pictured on my way to a show. Here are some of my ultra-specific pre-show essentials:

• giant water bottle
• (lyte strawberry lemonade)
• (salt and vinegar)
• (deluxe chocolate)

Yes, I had all of these things before and during every show this month! It’s a ritual!

One of my favorite sponsors for this years pageant is !! Thank you for brightening my smile! I can’t wait to come back!! 🥳