Recent Happenings
Pearl Harbor Parade Ceremonies
It was an honor to participate in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade ceremonies honoring our veterans and WW2 Rosies on the 81st anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.
St. Jude Memphis Marathon
I had so much fun in my hometown yesterday at the St. Jude Memphis Marathon! The race had over 20,000 runners and raised over 12 million dollars for childhood cancer treatment and research.
Indianapolis Visit
I stopped by the “Indy” sign at the Indianapolis International Airport on my trip back to New York!
An Indiana Christmas
I volunteered at the Lawrence, Indiana Christmas parade and tree lighting with Santa Claus and the Grinch!
Thanksgiving 2022
Thanksgiving celebrations in Indiana plus a Miss United States photo from Heather Strickland photography!
I wrote a Blog Post for the U.S. Department of Education about Gratitude
I guest-wrote a blog post for the U.S. Department of Education about gratitude and the need for a well-rounded education! Read it on blog.us.gov.
Fall Polaroids
When my little sister (Big Brother Big Sister) and I have our match meet-ups, we take polaroid photos with each other; here are some from this Fall!
Interview with News10 Albany
To celebrate National STEM Day, I interviewed with Albany Channel 10 about the national holiday and my work with Art Technically promoting STEM and STEAM education for underserved students.
Miss United States Court
Unveiling the official Miss United States court photos which include Miss California, Miss Montana, Miss Alabama, and Miss Mississippi.
Menands Halloween Parade and Trunk or Treat
I had some fun at the Halloween Parade and Trunk or Treat in Menands, NY yesterday. I was originally booked for the event as Miss New York, but the kids of Menands got Miss United States instead!
Interview with Channel 13 Albany
I interviewed with Subrina Dhammi on NewsChannel 13 Albany about winning Miss United States and my work in promoting children’s STEM and Arts Education with Art Technically.
I won Miss United States!
I was crowned Miss United States on October 17th, 2022 in my hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. During my year of service, I’m on a mission to promote my nonprofit Art Technically and children’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and Arts education across the United States.
Miss New York | Miss United States Recap
I’m so grateful or my year as Miss New York US 2022, and I can’t wait for this next year, serving New York and beyond as Miss United States!
$10,000 Raised for Children’s STEM and Arts Education
This month, you helped me raise $10,000 for children’s science and arts education through my nonprofit Art Technically! Thank you so much for taking time to take surveys through HundredX Causes. I can’t wait to use these funds for more Science Bears, scientist and artist Barbies and toys, STEM/STEAM books, and workshop materials for disadvantaged K-12 students!
New Science Bear Colors
Meet a Science Bear from our new color collection! “Science Bears” is a special Art Technically project that creates scientist-themed teddy bears for children in need such as children at Child Advocacy Centers and family shelters.
Dinosaur Activity Kits for the Albany Children’s Hospital
These Art Technically dinosaur activity kits went to the Bernard and Millie Duker Children’s Hospital this morning! Each kit had a dinosaur plushie, book, coloring book, and stickers.
Miss United States Interview
Yesterday, I interviewed for my dream job: Miss United States. We talked about my work with Art Technically, bringing STEM and Arts Education to disadvantaged K-12 students through book and toy donations and arts and sciences workshops!
$1,900 Raised for St. Jude – Rugged Maniac New England
Yesterday I volunteered with St. Jude Children’s Hospital collecting donations at the Rugged Maniac Obstacle Run in Massachusetts! I collected $1,900 worth of donations in my bucket from the hundreds of participating runners.
2021-2022 Art Technically Lab Coat
Every year, I keep a lab coat that my students sign every time I visit a school with Art Technically – it’s fun for the kids to get to add their names and write messages or draw pictures, and it serves as a keepsake for me to remember what is most important to our mission: the kids that we serve!
Miss New York – NYC
Miss New York United States 2022 – Times Square, NYC.
Official Miss United States Personality Page
My official personality page for the Miss United States program book! Photo by Heather Strickland, page design by Pageant Designs.
NYC Birthday Trip – Come From Away
I got to go see Come From Away with my mom for my 23rd birthday! Featuring my favorite Keith Haring by Alice & Olivia skirt.
Official Miss United States Headshot by Heather Strickland
This is my official headshot for the 2022 Miss United States pageant in October. Photo by Heather Strickland Photography.
Audrey Hepburn Funny Face Photoshoot with Doves
Audrey Hepburn inspired photoshoot with Andy Jones using a real dove, just like “Funny Face”!
Interviewing about Art Technically with Action News Channel 5 Memphis
One of the Art Technically Science Bears and I got to stop by the U.S. Department of Education to catch up with our friend Andy and talk about some fun things happening in STEM and arts education.
Visiting the U.S. Department of Education
One of the Art Technically Science Bears and I got to stop by the U.S. Department of Education to catch up with our friend Andy and talk about some fun things happening in STEM and arts education.
I am Miss New York United States 2022
I’m so excited to represent the great state of New York on the Miss United States stage in October. This school year I’m working full-time on my Ph.D. at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Albany, NY, and helping to expand Art Technically’s STEM and Arts Education reach up the east coast!
Country Sunshine Photos with Andy Jones
Country Sunshine photoshoot with Andy Jones in Maryland.
Art Technically Science Suitcases 2021-2022 Recap
“Science Suitcases” provides Title 1 and rural K-12 schools with ‘suitcases’ of STEM-themed books and educational materials to help students explore unique and interesting STEM topics while practicing their literacy skills. This school year, over 100 books were donated in total to elementary and middle schools in each of Tennessee’s 9 congressional districts.
I passed my Ph.D. Qualifying Exam
Last week, I passed my Ph.D. qualifying exam which qualifies me to take my candidacy exam in the fall (which is the last step in the PhD before working towards the dissertation).
Miss Tennessee America 2022
As Miss Franklin County 2022, I brought STEM and the Arts to over 10,000 people with Art Technically, fundraised over $15,000 for the Miss America organization, and served communities across Tennessee as a Miss America local titleholder.
Miss Scientists Q&A Panel with Miss Michigan and Local Titleholders
Thank you to everyone who attended Art Technically’s Miss Scientists Q&A panel, especially our amazing Miss America panelists: Miss Michigan, Vivian Zhong, Miss Montgomery County, Shannon Cattie, and Miss Door County, Chloe Staudenmeier!
Miss America Challenge: June
Through participating in the Miss America organization, I’ve earned scholarships and practiced key life skills like public speaking and interviewing.
I graduated with my B.S. for the 4th time…
I went back to DC (again) to graduate with my Bachelor’s in Computer Science after a few years’ worth of pandemic commencement ceremonies, I graduated in May 2020 and this was the fourth ‘ceremony’ for my class.
Barbie Dolls for the Southern Tennessee Medical Center’s ER
I delivered Scientist and Artist Barbie dolls to the Southern Tennessee Medical Center’s ER! I hope these toy donations from Art Technically will brighten some kids’ days!
Morning on the Mountain Interview on GCTV-6
Check out my interview from Morning on the Mountain! I got to speak about my STEM and Arts advocacy work with Art Technically and the upcoming Miss Tennessee Competition!
Franklin County Science Suitcases
“Science Suitcases” provides Title 1 and rural K-12 schools with ‘suitcases’ of STEM-themed books and educational materials to help students explore unique and interesting STEM topics while practicing their literacy skills. These two math-themed Science Suitcases went to the Franklin County Public Library and Clark Memorial School in Winchester, Tennessee.
Miss Tennessee Workshop Talent Clip
An Irish Dance clip from Miss Tennessee workshop weekend in April 2022.
Science Suitcase for Red Bank Elementary School
These free STEM and STEAM books are on their way to Red Bank Elementary School in Chattanooga, Tennessee!
Top Gun: Maverick Photoshoot with Andy Jones
Some aviation photos by Andy Jones to celebrate the premiere of Top Gun: Maverick.
Science Suitcase for Smith Springs Elementary School
These free STEM and STEAM books are on their way to Smith Springs Elementary School in Nashville, Tennessee!
Science Suitcase for Toone Elementary School
These free STEM and STEAM books are on their way to Toone Elementary School in Hardeman County, Tennessee!
Science Suitcase for Fall Branch Elementary School
These free STEM and STEAM books are on their way to Fall Branch Elementary School in Washington County, Tennessee!
‘I Am Scientist’ Workshop with Toone Elementary
The ‘I Am Scientist’ workshop allows students to imagine themselves as scientists through mixed media art projects with Polaroid instant photos of themselves.
Miss Tennessee Competition Order | 2022
I’m contestant 34 for the Miss Tennessee competition next month! That means I’ll compete in personal interview on June 22; social impact pitch, onstage question, and red carpet on June 23rd; talent on June 24th; and finals on June 25th!
2021-2022 Student Signed Lab Coat
As I travel to K-12 schools throughout the school year, I bring a lab coat which I let students sign and try on! Here are students at Toone Elementary trying on my 2021-2022 lab coat
Creative Coding Lesson at North Coffee Elementary
Art Technically Creative Coding lesson at North Coffee Elementary in Manchester, Tennessee!
Mad Hatter Tea Party Fundraiser for Art Technically
We raised a total of $500 for Art Technically, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that promotes STEM, STEAM, and Arts education across Tennessee.
I presented at the Tennessee STEM Innovation Summit 2022
The Tennessee STEM Innovation Summit brings together leaders, innovators, and champions from across the state that are united by a passion to advance excellence in STEM education for all Tennesseans! I got to present in the Innovation Instructional Strategies category on my work with Art Technically creating STEM and STEAM lesson plans for K-12!
Winchester Down and Derby Fundraiser Pageant
We celebrated Mother’s Day and Derby Day with a Down and Derby Fundraiser Pageant in Winchester, Tennessee to raise money for the Miss Franklin County/Nashville/Music Row local Miss America competition.
Miss Tennessee Workshop Weekend
I had so much fun with my Miss Tennessee sister crowns at workshop weekend! I can’t wait to see everyone again in June.
Happy International Dance Day!
Happy International DanceDay! Here’s some of my toe stand practices from the studio. Dance Education is a great way for students to explore both fine arts and exercise and Art Technically offers free tap dance and Irish Dance workshops for K-12 students in Tennessee!
4 Sustainability Tips from an Ecology Student
As a Ph.D. student studying ecology, I research technologies to make agriculture more sustainable! Here are some of my favorite sustainability tips in celebration of Earth Day.
Celebrating Easter Sunday
Celebrating Easter Sunday in this sunshine yellow suit bought second-hand from ThredUP.
Look Up at the Sky Day with Shelby Farms Park
Memphis-based Miss America titleholders and Art Technically hosted a booth at Shelby Farms Park for National Look Up at the Sky Day promoting STEM education and spending more time outdoors.
Middle Tennessee Heart Gala with American Heart Association
We had so much fun at the Middle Tennessee Heart Gala last night in Nashville to support the American Heart Association!
Science Suitcase for Brighton Elementary School in Tipton County
A box of STEM books was delivered to Brighton Elementary School in Tipton County, Tennessee! Brighton Elementary is a Title 1 school (62% of students received free or reduced lunch) and a rural school with over 750 students.
Sponsor Shoutout: Heather Strickland Photography
Sponsor shoutout to Heather Strickland Photography for the as-always beautiful headshots! She was recently voted as Desoto’s best photographer for the third year in a row and she’s well worth the trek from Tennessee.
‘Doing Both’ with Miss America
This month, Miss America is celebrating Doing Both! You don’t have to choose between your interests, especially as a woman in STEM! Take it from me as a: Computer Scientist/Agricultural Sensor Engineer, Miss America titleholder, STEM and Arts education advocate, and dancer!
Read Across America Day
Happy Read Across America Day! The Science Suitcase project by Art Technically provides free ‘suitcases’ of STEM and STEAM books to Title 1 K-8 school libraries
St. Patrick’s Day Irish Dance Workshops
For St. Patrick’s Day this year, I taught Irish Dance and arts and crafts to students across Tipton County including at Brighton Elementary School and the Atoka Community Center.
Workshops for Black Families Technology Awareness Day
This year, Art Technically hosted two workshops for the 23rd annual Black Families Technology Awareness Day at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: an Astrobotany workshop and a Young Black Scientists and Engineers panel.
Valentine’s Day Cards for Seniors – Love Letters 2022
Over 2,000 Valentine’s Day cards #MadeWithCode by students went to home-bound and disadvantaged seniors for Valentine’s Day! Each card was created in a Creative Coding workshop for K-12 students held by Art Technically.
Meet Miss Franklin County in the Herald Chronicle
You can read about me being crowned Miss Franklin County and my journey to Miss Tennessee in this lifestyle article from the Herald Chronicle newspaper in Franklin County.
Collecting Comments for Tennessee’s Department of Education
As a School Funding Ambassador for Tennessee’s Department of Education, I’m collecting comments from parents, educators, and community members on Tennessee education funding.
Congrats Miss Forest Festival!
I went to finals night for the 100th Anniversary Miss America competition to support my friends Andolyn Medina (Miss District of Columbia) and Tally Bevis (Miss Tennessee).
2021 Recap
This year I graduated with a Master of Science in Lighting, competed at Miss United States and placed 2nd runner-up, started a Ph.D., promoted STEM and Arts Education across Tennessee, and more.
Scientist and Artist Barbies for Children’s Hospitals
This year for the holidays, I curated and donated 30 diverse scientist and artist themed Barbie dolls to the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville and the Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in Memphis.
Celebrating the Holiday Season with Miss Franklin County
Spreading some holiday cheer at the Cowan Christmas Parade and Market in Franklin County, Tennessee.
I went to the 100th Anniversary Miss America Competition
I went to finals night for the 100th Anniversary Miss America competition to support my friends Andolyn Medina (Miss District of Columbia) and Tally Bevis (Miss Tennessee).
Rural STEM Education Focus Group
I represented Art Technically at the Rural STEM Education focus group meeting hosted by the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network last night!
Happy National STEM and STEAM Day
Happy National STEM and STEAM Day from Brighton Elementary School in Tipton County, Tennessee! We made simple circuit Jitterbugs and decorated robot sticker sheets.