This past weekend I set off to Lynchburg, Virginia to Standout Productions. This is a retreat held by former Miss USA, Chelsea Cooley, and renowned fitness trainer and public speaker, AT Dunn. It is an annual retreat for current state titleholders to help prepare you for nationals and meet the other girls. There are seminars, activities, and meetings that truly do prepare you for your next big race, which in my case is Miss Teen USA. However, for me it was more than just receiving the preparation I needed for Miss Teen USA. It also taught me about myself and my beliefs and morals. It truly is a very beneficial experience and one that will change your life forever. I think it teaches you so much about the importance of self-confidence, respect, trust, determination, and believing in your inner-self.

On Friday, Alyssa Taglia (Miss Connecticut Teen USA) and myself flew down to Lynchburg. At the airport we met up with Kristina Primavera and Erica Wright (Miss Rhode Island USA and Miss Rhode Island Teen USA). It was so nice to travel with all of them. I knew Erica prior because for several years her and I have had the same hair stylist. As we arrived and Charlotte, North Carolina, Alyssa and I came across a store with a sign that read "Queen City." It all began feeling real.

We arrived at the camp, The Master's Inn, earlier than most of the other titleholders. The camp we were staying at was absolutely beautiful. Everyone at the camp was so generous and kind and I was so fortunate to have the opportunity to meet those wonderful people. Within the couple of hours my roommates began to arrive! I roomed with Delaware, Mississippi, and California! They were all so wonderful and I was so happy to get to know those girls. In fact, there is a great possibility Emma Baker (California) and I will be rooming together at Teen USA! I loved all of them!

Throughout the duration of four days we were given the opportunity to listen to informational seminars, inspiring speeches, and receive advice regarding how to stay mentally and emotionally tough throughout the Miss Teen USA journey. Chelsea helped us master our interviewing and walking skills and AT spoke with us about the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and ways to do so as well as his training techniques. Activities to help us gain confidence, trust, and determination included roller-hockey, rock climbing, zip-lining, paint balling, tubing, snowboarding, skiing, and horseback riding. We climbed up a telephone pole and took our leap of faith onto a trapeze that dangled in midair! Although I can say I am not afraid of heights, I feared my life climbing up that pole and later jumping off it; however, with the support of everyone it made me feel unstoppable. After I did so, I felt I could conquer any fear.

The weekend was something I never imagined it to be. Not only did I learn so much about other people but also about myself. It is amazing to me that everyone is so similar yet so completely different. It's really a unique and beautiful thing. Chelsea Cooley and AT Dunn were phenomenal and amazing and inspiring individuals. I love all the girls I was fortunate enough to meet and can not wait to see them all at Miss USA when cheering on our sister queens! Thank you to everyone who made the weekend so enjoyable! For more information about Standout Productions, check out their website at: http://www.standoutproductions.net/index.html.