The setting is the dark city auditorium of a small town in Southwest Oklahoma. Among the chaos of high heeled shoes, hairspray covered mirrors, and bright lights are a group of young women preparing for one of the biggest nights of the year –– the Miss Altus Pageant.

The current reigning Miss Altus is graceful, intelligent, congenial, and has a talent for turning rap songs into catchy guitar tunes. Her name is Allie Elizabeth Ayers and she is one of the most important role models in my life to this day.

She is not only intelligent and talented, but she is one of the most down-to-earth people you will ever meet. She not only reads and writes poetry, but she inspired me to pick up writing my own once again. Now, I perform at slams regularly in college and am working towards submitting poems for my University's national literary journal.

Allie is considered to be a "middle-sized model" –– a woman who fits in between the classic modeling size and plus size.

Allie has outwardly expressed that she thinks, "labels are dumb anyways" so basically she's one of the coolest people you'll ever meet. I have struggled with my weight for a large portion of my life. I'm not saying to not exercise or eat healthy (because I do and immensely happier than I was in my early teenage years), but what I AM saying is how freaking awesome it is to see someone who is built like me representing the fashion world.

Whether we like it or not, media heavily influences the way we see ourselves, both male and female. So, yes, seeing Allie model reminds me that I am a beautiful, confident woman without feeling the need to be a size that isn't built for my body.

I think Allie represents everything that fashion should be.

Fashion, like anything else we enjoy, is a form of self-expression and exploration. We can't let things like having hips or butts stop us from realizing that we're beautiful. As long as we take care of ourselves, that's all that should matter at the end of the day.

Allie is now part of the top 6 women who were chosen from Sport's Illustrated's first-ever open casting to be featured in the 2018 issue! These women are breaking barriers in the fashion world and I can't think of anyone more deserving or fitted for such a wonderful opportunity.

Allie, I am immensely proud of you. Thank you for being a constant inspiration to those around you. I can't wait to see what else you achieve in this world.