You know that feeling when you step onto a stage, the lights hit your face, and for a moment, everything else fades away? That’s exactly what happened to me at the Raise Your Voice singing competition in Hollywood. And guess what? I walked away with first place—and a giant $3,000 check to prove it!

The Raise Your Voice competition is no joke. It brings together some of the most talented young singers from all over the country, each one ready to leave their heart on the stage. The moment I heard about it, I knew I had to go for it. Competitions like this push me to grow, and honestly, I love a challenge.

I chose two of my all-time favorite songs for the competition: Never Enough (because it’s vocally intense and so emotional) and Rise Up (because it’s all about resilience and strength). Both songs require power, control, and deep connection, so I knew I had to bring my absolute best.

Walking onto that stage, I felt my heart racing. But as soon as the first notes played, I took a deep breath and let the music take over.

The moment I hit the high notes in Never Enough, I could feel the energy shift in the room. It’s always surreal to see people completely absorbed in your performance, hanging on every note. When I moved into Rise Up, I poured my soul into every lyric, knowing this was my chance to make an impact.

After all the performances, we stood backstage, waiting for the results. I told myself, No matter what happens, I gave it my all.

Then, they announced my name. First place.

I actually froze for a second—did they just say my name? And then, the next thing I knew, I was holding this massive check with my name on it. $3,000. I wasn’t dreaming. I actually won.

To everyone who has supported me on this journey, thank you. I can’t wait to see where the next stage takes me. And who knows? Maybe next time, I’ll be writing about another big win. 😉

Until then—keep dreaming big and singing louder. 🎶💫