Chastity is the current Miss Tanglewood and will be competing for Miss Iowa in June.
Here is her story:
"Healing takes time, and asking for help is a courageous step." -Mariska Hartigay
"2009 - 2013 was the time frame where I experienced a lot of situations that impacted my mental health. I was struggling to fit in, navigate life at home, define who I was, and other things. I did not know how to communicate what I was going through, and I was definitely scared to ask for help because I feared judgment. So I shrunk myself, repressed my feelings, and kept moving.
"I don't want to talk about it. "It's fine." "I'm good." "I'm okay..."
Eventually, it would all catch up to me in my transition from high school to college. Everything I held in would sometimes resurface, making conversations difficult. The start of my college career was the first time I acknowledged that I was not okay and that I wanted help. I started going to counseling, taking anxiety toolbox workshops, and recognizing my boundaries.
I have come a long way on my journey with mental health and asking for help. I am still processing a few things. I am learning the value of interdependence, community, self care, and prayer. But most importantly, I am healing and holding my head high."
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