Feature: Beyond the Crown by Brittany Klocko

from ELLA Inspires (October 2020)

Replacing Eggs in Baking by Elle Walsh

**Brittany Klocko, Miss Texas United States (2020)**
www.ellainspires.com

Beyond The Crown

COVER FEATURE BY BRITTANY ‘BK’ KLOCKO

I was born in Phoenix, Arizona and I am quite the traveler. I have moved thirty times in my life and I am very familiar with many different areas of the country! I have met so many different people from all walks of life. Chances are, wherever you are from I have either lived there or have a friend who has!

At the age of 3, my family moved from Arizona to Valley Forge, a town located just outside of Philadelphia, PA. One of my most nostalgic ‘homes,’ it is where I lived during some of my truly formative years. Valley Forge is home to Valley Forge National Park, a place where George Washington camped out with his troops during the Revolutionary War. There are log cabins still around and a lot of great historical sites, museums, and protected forests. These surroundings sparked my love of history, learning, and nature from a very young age. Still to this day, whenever I’m hiking in a forest, I feel like everything is just right with the world!

From Pennsylvania, we moved to California, where I spent a lot of my schooling years (with a pit stop to Syracuse, New York my sophomore year of high school). Because we moved many times as a child, my family was always super close and connected because many times we only had each other to rely upon. I’m blessed to be the younger sister to an amazing older brother, Brian. I will never forget, after one of our moves, he went door to door to see if any of our new neighbors had young daughters that ‘could be friends with his little sister.’ He has always looked out for me! I am also super fortunate to have two amazingly in-love parents that modeled a wonderful marriage. They certainly were not perfect, but they always showed sacrifice, commitment, and conflict resolution throughout my whole life.

In a world that was filled with a lot of changes and moves, I was lucky to have something so solid to hold on to.

HARD WORK

As a child, my parents emulated the value of hard work. Both of my parents came from very simple upbringings and fought extremely hard to get to where there are today. In her early career, my mother broke barriers in the workforce as the only female in a male-dominated field—she excelled even after being told the job could only be done by men! She worked harder, smarter, and kept pushing; she ran circles around her male co-workers by outselling them all.

When she later transitioned to be a full-time elementary school teacher, she fought for children in her classroom that came from impoverished and broken households. She made it clear that bullying would not be tolerated in her classroom. Instead, it was a safe place to heal from their broken world.

My father started work as a young child in his parents’ bar and restaurant. Instead of playing outside all day, my father was helping his family's restaurant stay afloat. When he ventured out into the workforce, he started by picking beans for just cents an hour! But he worked his way through different advancements and positions to eventually put himself through college. And wouldn’t you know it—he worked his way all the way up to be the President of a multimillion-dollar Aerospace company! He is the true definition of the American Dream and a testimony of perseverance and hard work.

WHAT IS RIGHT IS NOT ALWAYS POPULAR

Growing up, hanging above some cabinets in the garage, was always a sign that read ‘What is popular is not always right. What is right is not always popular.’ It served as a daily reminder in my life of the values my parents wanted me to adopt.

They always made it a priority to impress upon my brother and I the importance of having a strong moral character. They taught me that it is crucial to always do the right thing. Even when no one is looking. Even when it makes you fall behind instead of getting ahead. Even when it’s extremely difficult. If you only do the right thing when it’s easy, the only thing you’re really valuing is yourself. Doing the right thing when it is at your own cost is when your true character is displayed. If you are consistent in times of adversity, you can be trusted. If you can be trusted, you can make a true difference in the lives of those most vulnerable.

Be the hero in our own life story so you can champion for those without a voice.

Making Memories

A lot of my favorite memories as a child are with my dad. I loved driving to New York Giants games with him and tailgating. I remember spilling my Coke on his beige carpet during a game once; I thought I was a goner! But instead we shared a big laugh together. Time with my dad was always so special because he traveled out of the country a lot for work.

I think that is part of the reason why I loved Indian Princesses so much. It was a father-daughter group, like Cub Scouts or Indian Guides. Once a month we would get together with other father/daughter members and build something together. And then every year we had a great camp weekend! We met with other ‘tribes’ from around the state for a sleepaway camp and put on variety shows, boated, fished, shot BB guns, did high rope courses, and had trivia battles—among other amazing things!

One year, we went on a hayride and the driver told a ghost story about the origins for a burned down mansion of which we had seen remnants. Legend had it that the mansion was still haunted by the owner's dog --Yellow Eyes-- named for his big, glowing eyes. As a boisterous child of 8, I spearheaded a plot to go into the night to find ol’ Yellow Eyes. Well my dad thought it would be hilarious to stand in the woods with a cardboard cutout of eyes and flash a yellow light while howling. I screamed so loudly and ran into my bunk bed and climbed inside my pillowcase! They finally told me it was a prank, but I still made my dad share my sleeping bag that night! It’s still a great story that always makes me laugh whenever I hear my dad tell it. I really thought I was going to show those adults who was boss—boy was I ever in for a surprise!

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**Brittany Klocko, Miss Texas United States (2020)**
Jewelry: Sarah Briggs | Photo: ELLA Inspires Magazine

FOR THE LOVE OF HEALTHCARE

As a child, I was really inspired by the doctors and nurses of Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital. I’m sure I probably first heard about the hospital through a school fundraiser. I remember always trying to collect the most money; secretly pouring in my allowance in order to send all I could to children in need. Even as a child, I was acutely aware that others were not born with all the opportunities and provision with which I was born. Knowing that at St. Jude a child would never be turned away, because they lacked the ability to pay for treatment, really moved me. I knew I never wanted to be a child that couldn’t get treatment. So, I wanted to make sure that I helped support a worldview that made sure that wouldn’t happen to anyone else either.

That idea really sparked a desire in my heart to work hard enough to use my gifts and talents to help those that can't help themselves.

I have now been a Registered Nurse for six years and have used my education and free time to help eliminate the barriers to medical care access that exist today.

EQUAL ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE

The thought of a person going through life with a curable medical problem breaks my heart. The town you were born in, language you speak, or financial status should not determine whether or not you are able to seek medical treatment. I was lucky enough to have been raised as I was with the parents I have, but not everyone is given that same advantage. I truly believe it is vitally important that we are able to come together as one and help others in need. I am a third-generation nurse, so you could say that it is in my blood! Even from a young age, I was able to see how people could have different health outcomes for the same medical condition-- all due to factors that are completely within our power to control. I wanted to be part of that solution.

When I think about all the barriers people face which limit access to healthcare, there are a few different categories: geographical, economic, cultural, psychosocial, and physical. Poor health results from lack of medical access; which is often true when someone doesn’t speak the language, cannot afford to pay, or has some other mountain standing in the way.

It has been my purpose in life to partner with different organizations that help reduce and eliminate these barriers so that we may all live happy and healthy lives! I’m sure you could agree it is wildly devastating to think of someone dying from a disease that is easily and simply treated somewhere else.

If you feel called to be part of the solution, join me in the fight!

SO MUCH MORE THAN A BEAUTY PAGEANT

I will be completely candid with y’all—I truly had no real idea about pageants or why they existed until last year.

Over the years I heard of them in passing and falsely assumed, as many do, that they were just a means to showcase beautiful women or judge others. Thankfully, I was encouraged by a dear mentor to truly do some research about pageants last year. I was blown away by what I found out! While there are differences between different pageant systems (i.e. Miss America is different than Miss United States which is different than Miss USA), pageants are largely and truly about empowering women. My current pageant system, Miss United States, is a platform-driven pageant system which means that the focus is on a charity or cause that each individual contestant champions.

The amount of philanthropy and community service that I’ve seen from pageant contestants is truly unmatched to anything I’ve experienced before. As someone that highly values the importance of giving back and making a tangible difference, this was inspiring! I was being connected with hundreds of women that were making a difference. Women that were speaking with their local legislature about bills they wanted to see passed. Women that were creating their own charities when they saw there was a need that was not being filled in their local communities.

Powerhouse women that were nurses, doctors, lawyers, accountants, lifestyle coaches, teachers, social workers, military personnel that weren’t content just being on the sidelines; rather, wanted to use their voices to promote change in their communities.

Sure, the women were beautiful, graceful, and elegant on stage, but they were also role models and heroes in their communities because they saw a need and filled it. I have been so blessed to have been able to join this network of women that are there to support me in my endeavors. They have done cancer research 5K runs with me. I have read books to children for them. They have helped purchase supplies for my clinic in Uganda, and I have helped secure adoption resources for them. It has been about building one another up, celebrating our differences, and magnifying our positive impact on the world. I could not be prouder to be your Miss Texas United States and stand beside so many truly amazing and talented women.

GIVING BACK

Anyone can talk about the changes they want to see in their communities, but it takes commitment to actually do it. Because I care so deeply about helping others get medical care, I spend a lot of my time partnering with amazing organizations that make that dream a reality!

Locally here in Dallas, I serve as a volunteer nurse with Watermark Urgent Care. Our local church saw the opportunity to meet the medical needs of some of our most vulnerable residents and found a way to make it happen. Staffed with church volunteers that have medical degrees, we operate as a free urgent care! We do ask for a minimal donation of $10 if possible, but if it is not, it is our gift to our patients to see them for free. In doing so, we have the unique opportunity to not only help heal their bodies, but to care for their wellbeing as a full person instead. We believe that we have been blessed with gifts to help those in need but recognize that God is the ultimate healer. We are also proud to say that we have estimated saving the taxpayers millions of dollars, as patients are able to be seen at our facility instead of utilizing local emergency departments.

Nationally, I have been able to volunteer with a couple wonderful organizations. Most recently, I volunteered with Samaritan’s Purse for the Hurricane Laura relief effort in Louisiana.

It has been about building one another up, celebrating our differences, and magnifying our positive impact on the world. I could not be prouder to be your Miss Texas and stand beside so many truly amazing and talented women.

This organization has been on the forefront of helping others when their lives are devastated by tragedy. Being the hands and feet where it’s needed most, during such trying times, really is a humbling experience and I’m proud of the love and compassion we’ve been able to pour into those that are hurting.

I also volunteer as part of the on-site medical team for Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times. It is an incredible organization that provides a cost-free, medically supervised residential camp experience to childhood cancer patients and survivors. Many of the campers need many medications, port accesses, chemotherapies, and other accommodations that a regular camp just would not be able to facilitate. Here, not only are they cared for medically, but they are surrounded by other children who know exactly what they’re facing. Scars become an area of bragging instead of something to hide. I could not love what this camp stands for and the home it creates more than I do. It is a magical place and I am blessed to be part of its story.

Many people believe that because it is part of the Ronald McDonald family, camp is paid for by Ronald McDonald charities, but this is actually not the case. Camp is largely made of volunteers and funded and supported by generous corporate and individual donors. We are so grateful for every amount of money we raise, because we see the deep impact it has. Furthermore, I am a monthly donor and partner with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

I am always called to support its mission as it has had such a large impact in my life! This past September, my sister queens were able to join me for a Virtual 5K Run for St Jude’s. My team raised quite a bit of money and it was such a blessing!

OUT OF AFRICA

Internationally, I work in Africa as a medical mission nurse with two wonderful organizations! CURE International is a fantastic non-profit organization that 'operates charitable hospitals and programs in 14 countries worldwide where patients experience the life-changing message of God's love for them, receiving surgical treatment regardless of gender, religion, or ethnicity.' Unfortunately, due to COVID, I was unable to go on my mission trip to Malawi this year, but I eagerly look forward to the day where it is safe to do so again. In the meantime, I have been supporting CURE through being a CUREHero where I am partnered with a patient in the hospital every month. Being able to send letters of support and hope to children in the hospital has been so encouraging. I am looking forward to seeing what more I can do when I am there in person!

Working in rural Uganda as a volunteer medical mission nurse is one of my greatest life experiences. I was blessed to work with such an incredible organization such as Foundation for International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC) and witness firsthand how important it is to have equal and sustainable access to quality medical services. While there, I was able to provide health care services and health education.

I walked miles up hills to conduct well-baby checks and medical outreach; setting up vaccination clinics and hosting the girls from the Orphan and Vulnerable Children group to learn how to sew reusable sanitary pads were among the highlights. I loved volunteering at the clinic where we diagnosed and treated patients with malaria, HIV, and other ailments, as well as delivering babies and providing pre and post-natal checkups. However, my favorite experience was being able to help people see better (well enough to read for the first time in years) by testing vision and providing reading glasses.

It was incredible to work with such an amazing organization and it was truly life changing to see patients (that sometimes walked for days just to receive care).

It energized me even more to make sure everyone has equal access to the healthcare they need. In rural Uganda, laboring mothers will walk miles to have their babies at our clinic, where they know they will be safe and cared for. For years, women in labor have been traversing rivers and streams just to be able to deliver their babies in a safe environment. Because of FIMRC's vision to eliminate healthcare barriers, we were able to build 'Mama Bridges' this past year to help provide safe passage over some of the most populated areas of crossing. Being part of a tangible solution for healthcare access has been incredible.

We built 'Mama Bridges' to provide safe passage to some of the most populated areas of crossing.

AGENT OF CHANGE

I strongly advocate for being an agent of change in your community. We were all born with different skill sets, strengths, and blessings. Being able to share the good that is overflowing in an area of your life with someone that needs more in their cup is essential. That allows others to then pour into your life with their own areas of abundance and expertise. It is a way to truly love one another.

Love is the only true agent of change in this world and when you feel a true responsibility for the community around you, the natural response is to want to help out and share your love.

Volunteering helps you to realize your blessings, provide for others, and witness change.

While we want to volunteer for altruistic motives, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to get lost in the service of others. Your problems shrink and your blessings grow!

A SAFE HAVEN

I am a Registered Nurse, certified in Emergency Nursing and Trauma Nursing. I have worked in Emergency Departments and Trauma Centers throughout the country, doing what I love the most! It can be a wildly challenging, emotional, and at times a frustrating career; but every single day I have many tangible opportunities to directly impact the lives of people I meet. For many, I may be the only contact they have with a healthcare provider for years and years. It is important that I do everything to the best of my ability and provide as much education and support as I can. It is not lost on me that I am the safety net for many. I may see a potentially suicidal person, a victim of child or elder abuse, or human trafficking victim for an unrelated medical problem.

It is imperative that I always remain a safe space for these patients and look for the signs so that I may best identify these vulnerable populations. They may not get another chance and I take that responsibility very seriously. As much as possible, I want every patient I interact with in the ER to leave having been better off for having me in their path.

WE NEVER SIGNED UP FOR 2020

I think it’s safe to say that COVID upended so many things for people! I feel it was especially challenging for healthcare professionals. While we do get into healthcare to help people knowing that there are some risks, I can certainly say that this felt unprecedented. We were expected to show up every day while not exactly knowing what we could do to protect ourselves, risking our own lives and health in the process.

Many people would make comments that invalidated our experience like, ‘well that’s what you signed up for!’ But we truly did not. We ‘signed up,’ for example, knowing we could be exposed to Hepatitis C or HIV from blood, but also knowing we could protect ourselves with gloves. This was something that we were taking a big risk going into work to battle and it was emotionally and physically draining. Unfortunately, I lost four former coworkers to COVID in the first two months. Some of my coworkers moved out of their family homes for months and lived in trailers because they were worried about infecting their families and their children. The sacrifices were large. It was scary!

At the same time, many hospitals across the country were laying off or furloughing employees. Many cities were not seeing huge surges, especially at the beginning. People were afraid to go into the hospital for anything, so the admission and ER numbers were drastically low. Surgeries were cancelled. It was estimated that 1.7 million healthcare workers lost their jobs during the pandemic due to low census.

My own surgery center shut down for a while and I was forced to work in the ER in California for two months to remain employed! It truly was a difficult time. I have to say that the perseverance and spirit of our healthcare workers is unmatched. Every day when I went in to work, I knew my team had my back and I had theirs.

We worked hard to remain hopeful, positive, and validate this insane shared experience we were all having. We cried with one another, we supported one another, and did our absolute best to protect one another as best we could.

SUPPORTING WOMEN

So many women have paved the way for my success in life. From my incredible mother, to my grandmother who was a nurse herself and an excellent mother and grand mom; everyone has shaped me to be who I am. I was very fortunate to have a lot of positive role models in my immediate circle to look up to as a young girl. They invested in me, saw me through my challenges, and shared in my triumphs firsthand. It’s amazing to have a celebrity role model or inspiring people you want to try and emulate but having your own personal tribe of women that are actually there for you in person and through real moments is even better. I am really grateful for some amazing coworkers, like Corey Clark who helped me laugh off the bad days and always pushed me to learn more.

No matter what field you’re in, find a leader who inspires you and try your best to learn as much as you can from them. Then, become that leader for someone else. I always love when I get to teach nursing students or new graduates at work!... It is my hope to be as good of a role model for someone else as the great leaders I had teach me.

It is really important to never underestimate the importance of the company that you keep. My advice to young women that want to be their own boss—do it! But don’t do it alone!Being a boss does not mean you are the only part of the picture. It is vital that you surround yourself with people that see your vision and have the desire to help you get there.Mentors are invaluable! Always know that to be on top,you have to learn how to humble yourself and learn from others that have gone before you. Being a leader isn’t doing things your own way, it’s about building on solid foundation while still using your own unique skills and gifts to shape the industry with your personal style. Find people you admire and learn from them! And just as my dad always signs his e-mails:

The role of leaders is not have others follow you, rather to enable others to lead.

COMPETITION VS COLLABORATION

We were all born uniquely and wonderfully made. Wewere all equipped with different strengths and skills.We’ve all gone through different life experiences. We don’thave to compete with one another to get ahead! When wecan work together to build each other up, we both win!We will all have our own unique talents to contribute toeverything so there is no reason to fear the success ofothers. Just because someone else gets something good,doesn’t mean that we get any less. It is so important tomake sure we build one another up in love.

In the pageant world, we are literally competing for thesame job! But we all bring such different strengths andqualities and passions to the stage. When the crown isplaced and the competition is over, we have one anotherto spend the rest of the year encouraging, supporting,and building up; we know how much stronger we aretogether and how much collaboration can benefit ourindividual causes.

If I try and raise money for my medical clinic alone, I may get some donations. But if my sister queen helps me, we can reach far more people and therefore impact, and save the lives of, way more people! It truly is a much happier and healthier outlook to see the strengths of your fellow professionals instead of giving in to insecurity, comparison, and competition. Comparison is the thief of joy! There is room for everyone at the table.

This next year, I’ll continue my work as a nurse and as a volunteer. I’m hoping that the travel restrictions will come to an end, so that I may go back to Africa as a medical missions nurse as was planned for earlier in the year. In the meantime, I’ll be competing for the title of Miss United States on October 11 through 15 but will remain your reigning Miss Texas until next year.

IN CLOSING

I want you to know that your story matters. All of the things that you have gone through can be used for good. Do not compare the highlight reel of someone else’s life to the complexity of your whole experience. Whatever trials you have faced have made you who you are. While some of them may have been grossly unfair, your mess can be used as a message. I have been through a lot of trials and adversity in my life. Some days my only goal for the day was to make it through to the morning. It’s important that you give yourself some grace every now and then. I have been bullied relentlessly for having a skin disease called Vitiligo, which takes the pigment (color) out of your skin, but here I am as your Miss Texas. I have experienced immeasurable heartbreak, lost many friends too soon, seen friends and family afflicted by cancer, been grossly affected by three mass shootings, including one at my own college. I’ve been a victim of abuse, been diagnosed with a tumor, and many other hardships. But I have been able to rise above and use these experiences to make my mess a message. I can empathize with those that have lost family members to gun violence. I understand what it means to lose a best friend. And these shared experiences help us to better understand one another and to always be kind because we truly do not know the story someone else is living through. Whatever your struggle may be, no matter what hardship you experience, your story is not over. You can rise above and prosper. You can be that mentor to someone else that goes through the same situation. I want to be part of a generation known for their radical love, fighting for the vulnerable, and supporting the brokenhearted. I am hoping you will join me.

Brittany 'BK' Klocko is a Registered Nurse, board certified in Emergency Medicine and one of only 5,200 nurses in the country board certified in Trauma Medicine. She helps medically vulnerable communities gain proper access to quality healthcare through her platform, Medicine Without Barriers. When she is not volunteering or working as a nurse, she is better known for being your reigning Miss Texas United States.

Instagram: @officialmisstexas

Feature: Beyond the Crown by Brittany Klocko

Next Article

Replacing Eggs in Baking by Elle Walsh

Beyond The Crown

HARD WORK

WHAT IS RIGHT IS NOT ALWAYS POPULAR

Making Memories

FOR THE LOVE OF HEALTHCARE

EQUAL ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE

SO MUCH MORE THAN A BEAUTY PAGEANT

GIVING BACK

OUT OF AFRICA

AGENT OF CHANGE

A SAFE HAVEN

WE NEVER SIGNED UP FOR 2020

SUPPORTING WOMEN

COMPETITION VS COLLABORATION

IN CLOSING

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This article is from:

ELLA Inspires (October 2020)