Remember Where You Come From or How to trip in your pageant formal and come out smiling

My dad always taught me and my sisters that the best way to be yourself is to remember your roots. People will like you more and remember your deeds if you are true to yourself and to them, no matter the circumstances. Whenever we wanted to try a new challenge, his first words were "Remember Where You Come From."

In the recent Mrs. Oklahoma International Pageant, I tripped over my formal, nearly lost the strapless top and still managed to saunter off stage with a smile. All because I remembered why I was there and because of his lessons.