Thank you so much for your interest in the 2015 Miss Hope Benefit Pageant! I would like to begin by telling you about myself. I know you are probably wondering what in the world an 18 year old knows about running a pageant. So, I want to share some of my pageant history with you! I did a few pageants when I was a little girl, so I was already exposed to the pageant world at a young age. However, I did come out of it for a few years. It was not until the summer after my 8th grade year that I competed again with the National American Miss system. It was a state pageant (and my first at that!). However, it made such a positive impact on my confidence and I had so much fun, realizing what pageantry was truly about, that it kick-started me right back into "Pageant Land"! (P.S I would recommend the NAM system to anyone!!) From getting into the Top 20 at NAM Georgia in 2011, I have competed in multiple pageants and won numerous titles such as Miss Middle GA Teen America, Miss Relay for Life 2012, Miss GA Strawberry, and Miss Kaolin 2013 being some of my favorites. I've had a few ups and downs with pageantry, a few bad moments, but that happens to everyone I think! I have also had some wonderful unforgettable moments such as placing TOP 20 in NAM Georgia and crowning one of my best friends and favorite people, Jordan, as Miss Kaolin 2014 (I was a teary eyed mess)! I have had a blast coaching girls to the best of my ability and instilling in them that pageantry is so much more than winning a pretty crown. It should make a difference in your life and give you the confidence to make a difference in the lives of others. For now, I am "retired" from the pageant world so that I can focus on my new beginning at Georgia College & State University this fall. However, I do plan to train during this break, to prepare myself for my ultimate dream...competing on the Miss Georgia stage. So until I feel ready enough to tackle that beast, (Like in my 20s!!), I will continue on with coaching other girls wanting to fulfill their dreams and make a difference and continue directing this fun, stress-free, laid back -pageant system with my ever so supportive mom, Ramona! Thank you so much for your interest and I can't wait to see you all at the 2015 Miss Hope Benefit Pageant! -Lauren Sheppard