Next Chapter...

I assumed that life would settle down a little after passing on my Miss Missouri USA title... I could not have been more wrong... I graduated with a Poli Sci BA from the University of Missouri- Columbia Honors College in May of 2012 and left the day after graduation to travel abroad. I returned home in the fall to take my LSAT exam one final time before getting all of my law school applications together. With applications finally submitted in December, I look forward to figuring out where I will end up next. I've enjoyed every minute of getting to spend time with my family back at home & have kept busy working with some amazing companies. After a trip to NYC I signed with a modeling agency in Milan, Italy where I will be spending the next couple of months. More adventures coming soon.... :)

Credit: Daniel Patrick McBride

credit: Fadil Berisha

credits: Daniel Patrick McBride

Miss Missouri USA 2012

Crowning my successor last weekend in St. Louis, Missouri was incredibly bittersweet. Not only did I have the best time of my life this past year, I was also blessed with opportunities that allowed me to figure out what I want to do with my future. The people I have met, the knowledge I have gained, and the experiences I have taken part in have meant the absolute world to me and have really changed my life forever. This weekend was a celebration of a wonderful year.

With the fabulous Shandi Finnessey

my amazing friends that are always there:)

Love you Mom and Dad

Shooting my farewell video

I love you Sydnee... I am the luckiest queen in the world to have you has my sister.

Look who came to see me!!! Jersey and Oklahoma:)

Good luck to you Katie in everything that you do... I look forward to following you on your amazing journey ahead:) God Bless

Parting Thoughts from Miss Missouri USA 2011

            Tonight marks the end of an incredible chapter in my life and the beginning of the next. I cannot call this a farewell speech, because I know that you will remain an important part of my life. The whirlwind of winning the title of Miss Missouri USA came as a complete surprise and changed me forever. I have been blessed with opportunities that have allowed me to figure out who I am and what I want to do with the future. The past year has truly been the best time of my life and I owe it all to those who helped me along the way.

            Not only did I get to do some extremely exciting events like go on a New York City Media Tour and participate at Miss USA in Las Vegas; I also got to travel all around the great state of Missouri and visit wonderful organizations. Throughout my reign, I have been fortunate to meet incredible people while attending significant events, such as the Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association, numerous elementary, middle, and high schools, Rotary Clubs, Veterans Affairs Hospitals, Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Mizzou’s Children’s Hospital, day care centers, The Make-A-Wish Foundation, and The United Way organizations—just to name a few. Visiting schools and hospitals in addition to attending charity events and appearances have been the most humbling and rewarding experiences in my life.

            When I visited Joplin shortly after the tragic tornado disaster, I realized the very personal reasons of why the title of Miss Missouri USA meant so much to me. The first time I visited Joplin was with Farouk Shami, a national pageant sponsor, and I was able to be a part of his tremendous giving spirit to the people of Joplin. Being able to help those in need was what the Miss Missouri USA title was all about. I feel like I have been able to connect with people throughout my reign and that has meant the world to me. Wearing a sparkly crown and sash put me in the position to help on a larger scale than I had been able to do before. I am so grateful for the opportunity.

Throughout my wonderful journey, I had love and support from my family, friends, supporters, and Missourians that I will cherish and appreciate for a lifetime:

Mom and Dad: There are not enough words to describe my appreciation of your love and support throughout this year. Not only did you believe in me, you also made sure to be there for me every single step of the way. You let me grow and experience things for myself, but you were always there in case I needed advice or a helping hand. You both have been my inspiration, my managers, my biggest fans, my motivation, and my very best friends. You have always led me by example and I couldn’t have done this without you. I hope to always make you proud.

Aaron: I am so lucky to have a big brother like you. Not only are you one of my best friends, you are also someone I can always count on. Thanks for letting me hog Mom and Dad this year and for always supporting me no matter what. I love you.

To my amazing directors, John, Jason, and Jen: I don’t think anyone will understand how lucky I was to have you as directors. You have been my support team throughout my reign and also my second family. Not only did you go out of your way to help and prepare me, you also always made me feel confident and believed in me. Your motivation and support meant the world to me and there are not enough words to express my gratitude for giving me the best year of my life. I have appreciated every single moment with you and feel blessed to have had you in my life. I love you with all of my heart.

Ashley Litton and Danielle Bounds: Ashley, I don’t think you will ever truly understand how much you have meant to me throughout this year. Not only did you design two of my dream gowns—you were the very first person to truly believe in me and encourage me. The support and inspiration I received from you both guided me to a wonderful experience at nationals. I am proud to call you not only my sponsors, but also my friends.

Will Patterson, Janet, and Sherri: Will, Thank you for all of your beautiful photographs. You are so wonderful to work with and are incredibly talented. Janet and Sherri, thank you for always keeping me in line! I wouldn’t have been able to attend so many events without all of your help and organization. You are such an important part of this process and I really appreciated your help.

All of my sponsors: Brent Peterson, my friend, you are truly talented when it comes to hair and I know I will be seeing you in the future! Don Tiemeier, I cannot believe I am getting my very own oil painting—I will cherish it for a lifetime. Alaskan Fur, I will appreciate the beautiful fur coat for many years to come. Tae Dobee, I still cannot believe how you made my national gown fit like glove! Your work with gown alterations is absolute magic.

Jeff: You were there for me every step of the way to make sure my wardrobe fit perfectly. Not only did I value your fabulous alterations, but also your opinions. Thank you.

Friends: Thank you for being there for me throughout this year. I am proud to say that Missouri had one of the largest cheering sections at Miss USA J You gave me the confidence and security to do my very best at state and nationals and I will never forget your love and support. I truly appreciate each and every single one of you.

2011 Miss USA Contestants: Not only did we experience some amazing events together, I made friendships I will cherish the rest of my life. These incredible women and I share a bond that is unlike any other—we are the 2011 Class of Miss USA. To a special two that are sitting in the audience, Julianna and Kaitlyn, I cannot imagine my life without having met you. You are true inspirations to me.

Sydnee: My sister, my mini-me, my talented friend… What an amazing year it has been. Believe it or not, you helped me more than anyone. I am the luckiest queen in the world to have been able to share this year with you. I cannot wait to see what incredible things the future has in store for you.

Successor: Get ready for the best and fastest year of your entire life. From the moment I place the crown on top of your head, be sure to take in every single second of this amazing adventure. Wake up every day knowing how blessed you are and take advantage of every opportunity. Good luck, for your journey is just beginning.

It is so surreal that this year has come to an end. I am proud to say that I made Top 16 at Miss USA and even more proud that the public viewers ranked me fourth after the swimsuit competition! I am now moving on to the next chapter of my life and I know that I would not be who I am today without having experienced the Miss Missouri USA crown. The people I have met, the knowledge I have gained, and the experiences I have taken part in mean the absolute world to me and have changed my life. I am truly blessed.

Forever and always,

Your Miss Missouri USA 2011,

Hope Driskill

Central MO Foster Care & Adoption Association

The Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association's Annual Forget-Me-Not Gala was the very first event of my reign and also the last. I absolutely loved working with this organization throughout the year and plan to continue to do so even after passing on my title.

The annual benefit dinner and auction has grown so much since last year. The amount of donations the organization received was truly incredible and I felt blessed to be a part of it. Someone donated $500 to the organization just for me to come to their daughter's "Princess Tea Party".... I was truly humbled by everyone's generousity.

Getting to work with so many organizations around Missouri, such as the Central Missouri Foster Care and Adoption Association, has by far been the most rewarding part about the Miss Missouri USA title.



Halloween at Shriner's Hospital for Children

Halloween this year was extra special... I had the wonderful opportunity of going back to visit Shriner's Hospital for Children in St. Louis. Not only did I get to see some creative costumes and help pass out candy to all of the Trick-or-Treaters, I also got to be a part of the Halloween Costume Contest judging panel.

Sharing the special visit with us were members from the International Visitors Leadership Association from Northern Africa and the Middle East. I learned a great deal from each of the members and really enjoyed my time spent with the group.

Huge thank you to Shriner's Hospital for having us... their hospitality and generousity always amazes me. Shriner's is an inspiring organization that I look forward to being involved with in the future.

Mizzou's Centennial Homecoming Parade

I felt so incredibly blessed to be a part of the University of Missouri-Columbia's Homecoming Parade this year. Homecoming, Mizzou's favorite tradition, celebrated turning 100 and I was honored to ride in the Centennial parade before the Football game against Iowa St. A big thank you to everyone who came out to support and participate in all of the wonderful Homecoming Festivities :)

Recent Events

The month of September came to an end with a trip to Oklahoma to visit one of my best friends from Miss USA, Kaitlyn Smith. We had a photoshoot by JATaylorPhotography and then went to the OU/MU football game:)

I then had the opportunity to visit schools in the Springfield area. The kids at Mtn Grove Elementary and Middle School were wonderful & I even got to spend a little time with my Grandparents. I really enjoyed speaking at the Rise and Shine Assembly where I talked a little bit about some of the school's key values: respect, responsiblity, and safe learning. At the middle school, I was honored to speak to the girls about self esteem and really embracing every single opportunity. I then went on to visit the Senior Living Center where I heard some incredible stories. It is so funny to me to hear on appearances and visits that I am making their day bright because little do they all know... They are the ones making my day:)

Upon my return to Columbia, I helped the Columbia Fire Department kick of Fire Prevention Week. I do not have enough kind words to say about the firefighters that work at Fire Station 1. Such an outstanding and professional group. They even let me take a ride up in the bucket! I must say I have a whole new level of respect for firefighters and really appreciated my afternoon spent at the station.