I genuinely believe that placing 2nd runner-up at Miss America was not for me.
It was for all the young girls and boys who feel that their life circumstances define them. It was for all the girls who feel the pageant industry lacks representation. It was for all the people who struggle to tap into their authenticity due to fear of public opinion. It was for the people who feel out of place in the spaces they occupy. Creating this reel brought tears to my eyes. This one was for you all and I feel so blessed to have had this once in a lifetime experience.
#MissAmerica#BringingBackTheMagic
I got emotional last night as I walked on the Miss America stage in my evening gown!
I am feeling incredibly grateful and blessed for this amazing opportunity with so many amazing women. No matter what happens on Sunday night I know I will leave Miss America with the fullest heart. Tonight is the talent competition to send prayers my way.
Thank you @missprissgowns for sponsoring this amazing gold gown. I am absolutely in love with it!
Indiana, I LOVE YOU!
Over the past 379 days I have truly learned the importance of genuineness and authenticity. The job of Miss Indiana is far from easy but taking it on as the truest version of myself and putting GOD FIRST has allowed me to reach and impact people across the nation. To have brought home a second runner up placement at Miss America made my heart so happy. But a placement on that national stage is no match for the joy my sisters across the nation and in Indiana have brought me. The sisterhood held me up this year, it is because of my girls that I felt the need to push through each and every hard day. The Miss Indiana Organization will never get rid of me, I am in love with every piece of it. I may be saying goodbye to the title of Miss Indiana but I will always be around spreading every single good vibe I possibly can!
With that said, it is time for me to pass on this job and this account to the next deserving young women (whom I will officially introduce on this account in a few hours). So, for the last time, with all the love in my heart for this job, I am Cydney Bridges, your forever Miss Indiana 2023!
Last night the ladies completed the third and final night of preliminary competition!
I am so proud of each contestant and I cannot wait to see who the 2024 titleholders are! Time to enter the forever club🤍
THREE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIVE DAYS
Wow, a full year as Miss Indiana 2023! What did I do to deserve the most amazing 365 days? I will never forget @hannahstombaugh and @anyssa.ashley standing with me as I looked myself in the mirror for the first time after being crowned. My experience in the Miss Indiana Organization is nothing without the village of sisters who have loved on me since DAY ONE! A big part of who I am as Miss Indiana is rooted in my love for each one of the (past and present) Teen and Miss titleholders. You all have my heart!
This year has been an unforgettable one for sure and I cannot wait to watch another woman have this moment next Saturday. Indiana, thank you for loving me so well, it’s almost time to wrap your arms around Miss Indiana 2024!
When I got called into the top five at Miss America, I remember being nervous because I had no clue what my top five question would be.
I was then asked “If you were crowned what would you want to be known for?” My answer came straight from my heart. I spoke on wanting to be known for my legacy of authenticy and wanting people to be able to relate to me in some aspect when they see me.
Throughout my year I have been nothing but the Cydney that everyone knew before the crown. There is no such thing as perfection in this role and pretending like there is, is a disservice to yourself and the people that look up to you. I will always live my life as the most authentic version of myself and I hope I have inspired y’all to do the same!
Pageant land, I heart you forever!
Congratulations to my dear friend, Haley Begay on a fantastic reign as Miss Indiana USA 2023. Haley was also Miss Indiana 2017 and she has done such an amazing job serving in both roles. Another congratulations goes out to Stephanie Sullivan Miss Indiana USA 2024! Last night, Stephanie made history as the first woman over the age of 28 and the first mother to win the Indiana USA title. We LOVE to see it girl, I hope you have an amazing year!
START YOUR ENGINES, IT IS INDY 500 DAY
Yesterday, Keegan and I were honored to participate in the Indy 500 Festival parade alongside some pretty cool people! The job of Miss Indiana has brought many unforgettable experiences and participating in the Indy 500 Parade is among my top five favorite appearances. Best of luck to all the drivers today! To those visiting Indiana, enjoy your time in the racing capital of the world!
I was dealt a hand in this life that I would have never chosen for myself. But now, as a 23 year old, I can confidently say that it is because of my life circumstances that I strive to make each person I meet (both young, old and in between) feel special. Being Miss Indiana is a very cool job. But, I will soon put this crown in a box and this year will slowly fade into a beautiful memory. So I hope my impact on others far outlast my 379 days as Miss Indiana. I hope this little Riley Warrior forever remembers the Riley nurse who put the Miss Indiana sash around her. I am so thankful for two jobs that continue to inspire me to make positive change!
HAPPY NATIONAL NURSES WEEK!
I realized I wanted to be a nurse in my 7th grade careers class. We did a project where we created PowerPoint presentations about what we wanted to be when we were older. At the time, I was 13 and could barely tell you what I had planned in the next five minutes let alone what I wanted to be in the next 10 years. So my teacher assigned me a career, which happened to be (you guessed it) nursing and the rest was history. Working as a new grad nurse while being Miss Indiana is the most challenging thing I have ever done. For the first 6-7 months, I would leave my shift feeling like the last video (hair disheveled and all) and have to push through my exhaustion to go to an appearance the following day. Oftentimes I was solely operating on the Lords strength because I was constantly trying to manage multiple learning curves. But, nursing has taught me so much about myself and I have developed an even deeper respect for every nurse out there! To all the lovely new grad nurses, stick it out through every rough and exhausting shift. Cry if you need to, rant if you need to, rest when possible (as that is a basic necessity to live) and I promise it will get better! This week we celebrate nurses and I am happy to work a job where helping others will always be at the core!
Tip #1 - Believe people when they say “your year will fly by!”
I cannot believe that we officially kicked off the 2024 state season yesterday and there will be a new Miss Indiana come June 29th! The Lord has blessed me with this amazing job and it is almost time for another young lady to experience all the joys that come along with being Miss Indiana. I cannot wait to see who she will be…stay tuned!
