Help Tiana Marie!

My name is Tiana Marie Gonzalez, and I’m the current 2016 Miss Pennsylvania American Beauty. I’m a 23 year old licensed cosmetologist from Bethlehem, PA. I have always enjoyed making others feel good about themselves and am so grateful to pursue a rewarding career that allows me to do exactly that. One year ago while in school for my field and working on my clients hair I was approached by my mentor and educator regarding the chance to compete in a pageant for the honor of becoming Miss PA and representing our state. When she first mentioned the opportunity I was a bit skeptical not viewing myself as the traditional pageant queen however I was still open to it, then came the entry fee and I quickly realized it was much more than I could afford at the time. I was already working 3 jobs to pay for cosmetology school as well as helping my mom out with rent and bills. I simply couldn’t afford the opportunity at the time. While disappointed, my educator understood my situation. Later that day as I was finishing my clients hair, I was left a generous tip of a written check with the exact amount of money I needed for the entry fee of the pageant. Needless to say I was blown away and overwhelmed with emotion, but I could not accept I had to give it back, my client would not take no for an answer, she told me this was an opportunity of a life time and that I had to go for it, she told me I needed to continue making others feel great and to make our great state proud. I was so grateful I could not say no I knew I had to work very hard and try my best to make myself and the people who believed in me proud. I put my best foot forward not having any previous pageant experience and am proud to say I made her, myself, and the state proud by becoming Miss Pennsylvania American Beauty 2016. Today I am making this GoFund me page because this experience has allowed me to interact with so many influential and well respected people. I have learned that the crown is to be earned, and with that being said it has forced me to be the BEST possible version of myself and has given me the vision to want to inspire others to pursue the same things. I always thought my generation or the younger generations to come, needed better role models or just someone positive and uplifting, this crown has given me the platform to speak to younger generations as well as learn from previous generations and it’s something I’m extremely passionate about. With all the negativity already out there in the world with bullying and online bullying people have forgotten how to be kind to each other and inspire others. This opportunity has already allowed me to inspire many young minds and install a confidence within them that they may not have had before. Through becoming Miss PA I have been invited to sing the national anthem at several televised events, give speeches at elementary and middle schools, and also visit different parts of our great state of Pennsylvania meeting people of all different ages, genders, and ethnicities learning just as much from them as they learn about me. Title or not I am doing what I am passionate to be doing and have a vision for how I can help shape the future of our state and hopefully with your support our country. With this GoFund me page I need your assistance in raising money to get me ready for the next level in our journey. This funding will help me with travel fees, gown fees, pageant coaching fees and the PA send off sponsorship event hosted by the Butler Beauty state title holders, me, and many others. Any donation will help me to prepare for a life changing experience. I promise to continue to do my best to represent PA well in Orlando Florida June 20-24 for the National State Pageant. Thank you already for your continued support and belief in me! Thank you for inspiring me as much as I hope to inspire others!
Love, Tiana Marie (Miss PA)