In honor of Veterans Day, I want to share the inspiring story of Army Captain Deshauna Barber. At 19 years old, Deshauna, a sophomore at Virginia State University, had her life planned. In three years, she would graduate, be commissioned in the military, and enter as an officer. It seemed like a good plan, until a complete stranger’s words changed the course of her life. A customer at work approached Deshauna and told her she could be the next Miss USA. Deshauna was stunned. She had never competed in a pageant, nor considered being a beauty queen.
Three months later, Deshauna competed in a state pageant and lost. She went back the following year and lost again. For six years, Deshauna showed up at pageants and lost. Frustrated and humiliated, she wanted to give up. After her mentor passed away from leukemia, Deshauna found the strength to try again.
In 2015, Deshauna became the first active-military U.S. soldier to win Miss USA! She went on to walk the Miss Universe stage in Manila, Philippines where she placed in the top 9 among 86 countries.
Since 2016, she has shared her amazing journey and her powerful message of never give up. Asked to deliver the commencement speech at her alma mater, Virginia State University, she shared what drove her to keep trying.
“Never be afraid of failure, but please be terrified of regret.”
She goes on to say that many of us have dreams that seemingly disappear as we come against failure after failure. We won’t want to look back on our lives and wish we hadn’t quit. The journey we must walk prepares us for the person we are to become. Deshauna admits if she had won Miss USA her first year, she would not have been able to properly handle a national title. Instead, she had to walk the race that prepared her for the finish line.
“We get to the finish line at the exact time we are destined to cross it.”
Many of us face roadblocks as we pursue our dream. We begin to question ourselves. Did I really hear those words? Is that really what I’m supposed to do with my life? No matter how many obstacles stand in your way, doors slam in your face, or falls you may endure, keep running the race. Persevere under pressure. Never Give Up until your dream becomes a reality!
Watch Deshauna’s speech here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BRrvPQzTwE
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