Today we’d like to introduce you to Ronnisha Peterson.
Ronnisha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Ronnisha Peterson, and the start of my story was just a girl not afraid of taking a chance. Moving myself to Dallas in 2018 with a few items from my college dorm room to follow my dreams of being the best educator that I could be while embracing the importance of sharing and gaining knowledge through Communication for Clarity.
Being a military brat, I’m a professional new kid on the block that has honed in those skills leaning into being comfortable with being uncomfortable. After earning my master’s in educational leadership in 2020 and all the extra time we had I went to my first pageant I was in awe, watching underneath my mask cheering for each and everyone because I recognized that it takes a different type of strength, confidence, poise, smarts to be as elegant as these women were. I knew I wanted to be surrounded by women just like that. So, from there, it was on. I devised a plan that included all the things I thought I would need in order to compete in a pageant. I utilized every single resource I had, and along that two-year journey, I have made some amazing friends. I competed in my first pageant in July 2022; it was the most invigorating experience; although I didn’t place, I knew it was a space meant for me. August 2022, I competed in my 2nd pageant and had loads of fun, and placed top 15. Slowly but surely things were aligning for me to compete in the same pageant that I had went to watch 2 years prior that got me hooked. It felt full circle walking in as a contestant alongside 31 smart and beautiful women. The only thing I promised myself was I was going give it everything I had walking away with no regrets since it could have possibly been my last pageant since I was right on the cusp of the age limit My third pageant October 2022, I made top 10, then I made top 5 then at the shock of myself I won. Becoming Miss Dallas USA.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say the biggest challenge for me personally, like most people, was myself and the belief in my abilities. Stepping into a space where in Texas, most girls have been doing pageants since they were a little, I felt behind. I thought that could never be me. I think that often times we can be in the way of our biggest blessings. Tricking ourselves into believing that what we want or our dreams are too big to come true. I hope my story can inspire others to know it is never too late to go after what you want. The best way to get over any obstacle is to take it one day at a time.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a proud educator of 6 years; I think my experience is doubled being that I have taught through covid. I specialize in students with disabilities in the content of math. I most proud of the amazing people that I work alongside every single day. The teachers and staff of my school, especially my SPED team, are some of the most extraordinary people you will ever meet.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I think one of the things that I learned is the importance of Communication for Clarity which is my platform I’m making where I talk about the importance of when we speak to one another we should do it with understanding and being understood by the other person. We have to be just as great of teachers, and we are learners in order for us to come together and come up with the resolves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ronnishapeterson.com
- Instagram: @missdallasusa @ronnisha
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronnisha-peterson-889773108
Image Credits
Alex J Martin
Tim Miller
