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The next contestant to be featured in our series, “The Road to Miss America,” is Miss Nevada, Bailey Leeanne Gumm.

Age: 21

Hometown: Minden, Nevada

Platform Issue: Autism through a different Lens

Talent: Tap Dance

Education: Majors in Communications at Westminster College

Scholastic Ambition: Obtain a Master’s Degree in Strategic Communication

Scholastic Honors: Exemplary Achievement Award and Dean’s List at Westminster College, Degree of Honor from the National Forensics League, Nevada’s American Legion School Award

My Defining Moment: At 14-years-old I broke my back and was forced to step away from competitive dance, but with a void of dance I began my involvement in MAOTeen and MAO. The decision to start my journey in this organization was a defining moment because this program mended my heart at a time my back couldn’t hold me.

What I’ve learned from the Miss America Program: That great achievements come from having faith in everything you do.

Loving someone with autism makes your heart grow larger. As Alex’s sister and sibling advocate, my role in my brother’s life is not to change Alex, but to be a dependable rock and source of acceptance. The job of an advocate is to whole-heartily become a living asset to what you believe in, and my belief in Alex is why I am here today. My greatest hope is to be Miss America serving as an advocate in the movement of autism acceptance and to continue to make my platform mission heard through every interaction I have – showing love, acceptance, and value to others.