What rang through your mind the second your name was called as the winner?

2010-01-18T10:16:00.000-08:00

I was shaking like crazy when the emcees started calling out the results of the top five contestants. I kept praying over and over again, "God, please don't let them call my name yet. Please don't let them call my name yet." Fourth, Third, and Second runner-ups were called, and I was still left standing. It came down to me and Miss Oklahoma, who had become one of my best friends at the pageant that week. My whole body was shaking and she kept telling me, "Breathe, Stephanie. Just breathe. " We were hugging each other, both so nervous, and then her name was called as first runner-up. From that moment on the rest is a blur. I was in a total state of shock. The only three words that went through my head when I heard my name announced for the first time as "America's National Teenager 2010" were "OH MY GOSH!" It was not because I did not think I had the ability to win, it was because I was so excited all my hard work had finally paid off. I really am America's National Teenager 2010! My awesome state director, Mrs. Renee, told me all along, "You have what it takes to be America's National Teenager." At first, I did not believe her. I knew there were so many other girls competing for the title, and I thought that surely one of them had to be better than me. But I realized having the ability to win is not always about being the best at everything. The ability to win comes from having a positive attitude, believing in yourself and knowing you have what it takes achieve your goals.

America's National Teenager's Blog

What rang through your mind the second your name was called as the winner?