2025 Miss California State Pageant

Last year, I placed in the Miss California Top 5 for the first time ever at National American Miss where I won Talent and Spokesmodel, and was 1st Runner-Up for Top Model, Heart Of Service, and Best Resume. Over Thanksgiving Break, I was blessed enough with the generosity of my sponsors to spend 8 days competing for the National All-American Miss Title at Nationals, where I placed Top 15 in the country for Talent, and won a Spirit Stick for Best Personality.

I have grown from a shy little girl to nationally ranked singer, spokesmodel, and leader. I am hoping to return to pageantry this summer, competing for Miss California in June. This is my last year of eligibility, and I hope to compete in ALL the contests to get everything possible out of the experience and in culmination of this journey I have been on with NAM since I was just 8 years old! This would mean I compete in the required competitions of Formal Wear, Interview, Personal Introduction, and Community Service, as well as the Spokesmodel, Talent, Top Model, Runway Model, Photogenic, Casual Wear Modeling, Actress, and Fun Fitness competitions.

I returned to pageantry after the loss of my mother, Vellet Wyatt Finley, fueled by the support of a village of my loved ones. I embarked on a journey of empowerment of myself and others in the wake of loss and grief, culminating in my Capstone Project at Stanford University, where I wrote and directed a play, Top Girl, and was named an Artist In Resonance for my work. I advocate for body positivity, mental health awareness and suicide prevention-- in loving memory of my friend, Katie Meyer.

I am aiming to raise $2500 in order to compete, which covers my required sponsor fee ($675,) my contest entries ($1000,) and the travel and lodging expenses. I am finishing up my time at Stanford University and will graduate just 1 week after competition, and bringing home the Miss California title and my Stanford degree to San Diego will mark the achievement of every dream I've ever known.

Thank you, and I hope to make Sweet California Proud!