When I accepted the title of Ms Connecticut 2027, I understood that it came with more than a sash. It came with the responsibility to represent my state on a national stage at the Ms USA Pageant Finals in Orlando, Florida, and to do it in a way that means something.
I did not come to pageantry the conventional way. I came to it from Russia, from a law degree, from raising three daughters, from building a life in a new country, and from more than fifteen years on the ballroom floor. Every one of those chapters is part of what I will carry onto that stage.
Why now
Some people wonder why I am stepping into this now rather than years ago. My answer is that I am exactly the woman I needed to become first. I know who I am. I know what I stand for. And I believe that is precisely the kind of woman this platform is meant to celebrate.
I want the women watching to see that there is no expiration date on stepping fully into your power. The most powerful chapter of a woman's life can begin at any age, and I intend to prove it.
What I am bringing
I am bringing my platform, Ballroom as Empowerment, and the belief that movement can transform lives. I am bringing the discipline the floor taught me, the perspective two cultures gave me, and the example I want to set for my daughters.
The road to Orlando is long, and I am grateful for every step of it. I will be sharing the journey here along the way. Thank you for walking it with me.
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