Photo: Zac Grimaldo Photography, Hair and Makeup: Nicole West, Gown: Sherri Hill from Terry Costa and Sergio Armas
It’s been a hot minute since my last blog post! I decided to take a bit of a break to enjoy my last couple of months being Miss Texas. My life changed in so many ways throughout the last year, and the only word I can think to sum up the entire year is: grateful. Grateful for the experiences, grateful for the people, grateful for the life I was able to live for one year. Below is my complete farewell, although there are still so many people to thank and so many things I could continue to say. I will share more later on life post-Miss Texas (it is GOOD!) but for now I want to share one final post from my dream year.
18 years ago while watching my first Miss Texas telecast at 6 years old I told my mom, “I’m going to be Miss Texas one day.”
14 years ago I attended my very first Miss Texas pageant.
13 years ago I walked across the iconic Miss Texas stage for the first time as a Lone Star Princess.
11 years ago I entered my very first local competition as a teen contestant.
9 years ago I served as Miss Texas Outstanding Teen with hopes of one day becoming Miss Texas just like my Miss Texas 2010, Ashley Melnick.
5 years ago I returned to compete for my childhood dream.
1 year ago my life was changed for the better.
For the past 14 years, the Miss Texas Organization has impacted my life in more ways than I can count. Every relationship and opportunity this organization has given me has left a mark on my life, and I am forever grateful for this experience. I am not the same Madison I was one year ago. I have so many people to thank for making this past year one I will remember forever.
Mom and Dad: It’s hard to say thank you to the two most influential people in my life. I don’t think there will ever be words to fully express the gratitude and love I have for you. Thank you for relentlessly supporting my dreams, and going above and beyond in helping make them come true. You believed from day one that I could be Miss Texas, even on days I didn’t believe myself. I love you more than you will ever know.
Morgan, Mallory, Daniel, (and Baker!): My people! When I won Miss Texas it didn’t just change my life, but all of ours. THANK YOU for allowing me dreams to be such a big part of your life and for patiently loving and supporting me so well this year. You are the best fan club a girl could ever have. I love you to the moon.
Drew: I will never fully be able to articulate what you have meant to me this year. You have been my rock through these years, and I cannot imagine doing any of it without you by my side. Thank you for being my safe place, shoulder to cry on, advice giver, biggest hype man and cheerleader. I love you and am so excited for the future because I know you are in it.
Mimi and Grandaddy: Thank you for all of the love and support you have showered me with this year and the prayers that have covered me as I’ve traveled this great state.
Jackie: The best roomie of all time! Oh how I have loved our late nights binge watching The Kids Baking Championship, The Voice, The Bachelor… I could go on for days with our TV shows 🙂 You have been the biggest light for me this year, and I will so miss sharing daily life with you! I can see your halooo (you truly have one!)
Jan: We have come full circle! From your baby teen to finishing this experience as Miss Texas, I have enjoyed every moment with you. Thank you for loving this organization and always choosing to do what is best for the girls, even when it means making a hard decision.
Hunter: We had so much fun this year! Thank you for never failing to make me smile. Our Miss America packing and prep days were the best times that I’ll cherish always! Love you more than all the Mexican food in the world!
Susan: I finally got to be your girl… and what a year it has been! Thank you for keeping me busy this year, always advocating for me, and for your friendship! I love ya!
Valerie: You have taught me so much this year. Thank you for pushing me out of my comfort zone to grow and become the woman I am meant to be.
Mark: Gig ‘em Aggies! What a joy it has been to spend this year with you! You were always there offering encouragement and support when it was needed most.
Gloria: You have been such an influence in my life, not just in ventriloquism, but in being a woman of faith! We share a bond that means so much to me!
Ilana: You are the sweetest soul and a true ray of sunshine! I loved every minute spent with you this year!
Miss Texas Board of Directors: Thank you for your selfless service to this organization! Each of you dedicates so much of your time, heart, and life to the betterment of the young women who compete, thank you.
Miss Texas Volunteers: This organization would not exist without each of you! Thank you for investing in a program that changes the lives of girls just like mine.
Heather Sumlin: I am a better me because of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for uplifting me since I was 13 years old. You represent all that is good in this organization.
Josh Hammers: You will forever be one of the best parts of my Miss America experience! I would not have been Miss Texas if it weren’t for you believing in me and your commitment to helping me chase this dream. I love you more than you know!
Scott Padgett & the Miss Dallas Team: We had so much fun over the years! I’ll always be so grateful for the journey that led me to becoming Miss Texas with you! Thank you for your friendship, guidance, support and all the fun! I love y’all!
Miss Plano Frisco Organization: You have loved me so well and adopted me as your own. Thank you for allowing me to share this experience with you as your half child!
Our Hostesses: Susan, Jackie, Melanie, Becky, Debbie, Stephanie and Stacy, I love each of you dearly! You made my 5 years of competing SO much fun. Your friendship is so special to me!
My sweet traveling companions: so many miles on the road, and I couldn’t have done it without you! Thank you for taking care of me, keeping me company, sharing snacks, stories, so many laughs, and making each appearance special and unique!
Anne, Denham, Missy, Madison, Emily & Lexi: The greatest cheering section in all of America! Thank you for being such a sweet piece of this experience for this hometown girl!
Ady: I am so glad you were my teen! It has been so much fun getting to know you and share this year with you! You are a ray of sunshine!
London: I am so proud of you! Some of my favorite memories this year were from the summer with you! You have represented MAOTeen with class and grace.
To my amazing sponsors: Melissa Adair, George Grubbs, Brittany Deen, Heather Sumlin, Natalie & Jordan Williams, Larissa Maner, Sergio Armas, Nicole West, Zac Grimaldo, Randy Steele, David D’Aquin, Jan Tucker, Ashley Zorn, Amin Bata, Chelsee Maxwell, Courtney LeClaire, Loren Silas, Amberly Brown, Mike & ReJana Karuse, Jeremy & Susan Ables, Nagwa Aliwa, and so many more… thank you is simply not enough! Our organization would not exist without the generosity and kindness of each of you. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for supporting an organization that helps so many women. We appreciate you so much!
To my sweet community of Fairfield: There’s nothing quite like the support of a small town. Thank you for truly making me feel like a queen and so treasured this year. I am so proud of my hometown and to have represented the best little community on the Miss America Stage.
To the next Miss Texas: Welcome to the most amazing sisterhood! Enjoy each moment, love on others well, and take every opportunity to use this crown and title for something bigger than yourself. I’m here always!
Miss America Class of 2019: I firmly believe God chose the perfect 50 girls for me to share this experience with, and I would have it no other way. We were tested and challenged this year, but above all, our sisterhood grew stronger than ever before! I am so proud to stand among the best women I have ever known and loved.
Above all, I thank my Lord and Savior. Without Him, none of this matters. I hope and pray I have been able to be a light and example of His love this year. His timing was perfect, it always is.
….and to my sweet guardian angel, Amy Jones. I couldn’t have done it without you. Love you.
This year has challenged me, matured me, and given me so much joy. The thousands of kids I met made every moment worth it. Every high five, hug, and excited little “Miss Texas!” squeal were the sweetest moments I will never forget.
It has been a long time coming. As I say goodbye to such a sweet chapter, I am filled with an overwhelming amount of gratitude for what this organization did in my life. I am in awe that I just lived out my biggest childhood dream. I have traveled across our beautiful state, met the most amazing people, competed on the Miss America stage, conquered fears, experienced life-changing moments, and will forever be honored and proud to say, “I was Miss Texas.”
Thank you, Texas. It has truly been my greatest honor.
All my love,
Madison
