My farewell speech

Being crowned Miss California International and having the opportunity to represent my state and platform has brought clarity and direction to my life and has helped me discover and create the person that I know I was destined to be. The person I am today is much more confident, a better public speaker, and one with a stronger desire to serve others. Striving to match children facing adversity with a mentor is what I will do for the rest of my life. Pageantry has proven to me that the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.

 

This year has been a gift from God and nothing short of amazing. I owe my success this year to the family, friends, and directors that rallied to support me before and during my reign. To the Gushwa family, you saw and nurtured something in me that I didn't realize I had: potential. It's because of you that I stand here with this crown and sash at all. Mom and Dad, the positive changes that you have made in your lives have and will continue to be my inspiration. Thank you for letting me share your story of survival with people across California. Jayne, I am so proud of you and all of your accomplishments, you truly have made California proud! Shana, sisters by chance friends by choice. Thank you so much for your consistent encouragement and motivation throughout our journey! Nicole and Tylie, I am absolutely certain that you two are the best fans a girl could ever wish for! Thank you for your unwavering support; you gals were my rock this year! Finally, I want to thank the people and businesses that made it possible for me to compete in the Miss International Pageant, my sponsors. I literally couldn’t have done it without you; I will be forever grateful for your generosity and belief in my ability.

 

Being crowned Miss California International 2013 did not happen by accident; my journey through pageantry represents healing from a trauma that I experienced. Looking back, I truly believe that pageantry was placed in my life for a much greater reason than I initially understood. Pageantry has become an incredible source of healing for me and has allowed me to step outside of the limiting insecurities that my adverse childhood created. I stand here today proof that with a dream, passion, faith, and perseverance, the sky is the limit. In life the odds were definitely stacked against me but with the encouragement and support of my mentor I was able to beat them and for the rest of my life I will work to repay this tremendous gift one child at a time by recruiting the mentors that they urgently need and deserve; my greatest legacy will be marked in those children.

 

I will be forever grateful for the opportunity that I had to serve our beautiful state. This will be an experience that I treasure for the rest of my life.

In my heart I will always be Tiffany Allen, Miss California International 2013