Once a shy girl growing up in Nebraska, Sarah Rose Summers is now competing for Miss USA. Here are some things you may not know about the TCU alumna.

Her Pageant Past

When Summers was 12 years old, she received a postcard in the mail for a National American Miss pageant where participants were not allowed to wear any make-up and there was no swimsuit portion. It sparked her interest, and that was what started her pageant career. She continued to compete in National American Miss and became Nebraska’s first national titleholder.

Crowned Miss Nebraska USA

She went on to win Miss Nebraska Teen USA during her junior year of high school.

“I was kind of in awe,” Summers said. “But I was so proud. I remember when they called my name for the award– I think I did a fist pump I was so excited.”

Advice for TCU students

“Study abroad,”  Summers, who traveled to Peru during one of her college summers, said. “Even if it’s just for a month. It was the first time that I felt truly independent.”

Social Media Detox

“I did this in college– I had a social media free two weeks,” Summers said. “I completely deleted the apps from my phone and replaced them with scripture apps or daily devotionals. I was spending too much time scrolling through the same photos. It’s just a really good cleanse, truly.”

Positive Social Media Presence

“We always get that question of ‘is social media a positive or a negative for your generation,'” Summers said. “I think it can be a very, very negative in that it provokes unrealistic expectations. I post every day on my Instagram story an encouragement of some sort. Sometimes its scripture based and sometimes it’s just general like girl power. It’s been really neat to see how many people respond. It’s neat because it’s those little things that anyone can be doing that help bring a light to social media.”

Pre-show Jitters

“I think I’m always nervous, but it’s an excited nervous,” Summers said.

Preparation for Miss USA requires the women arrive two and a half weeks before public appearances and get to know the other contestants. They also have rehearsal for the live telecast.

“I’ve heard that in rehearsal you practice down to the millisecond because if you stay in one spot too long the girl after you gets messed up and then that doesn’t work with the TV time and commercials,” Summers said. “That’ll be different, but I’m excited.”

Future Plans

“I love Cook Children’s, and I love Children’s Omaha and Children’s Health in Dallas,” Summers said. “So I’ll be hopefully getting a job at one of those hospitals.”

She will continue to be Miss Nebraska USA through January.

Summers competes for the title of Miss USA on 7 p.m., May 21, FOX.