Miss Texas

Shilah Phillips

What is your hometown like?
Plano, a corporate city and a suburb, is located just north of the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex where approximately 251,000 residents reside. It is home to many corporate leaders and others who have obtained notability in the field of sports, authors, film actors and space tourist. Plano is fast-paced, sports minded and home to a strong educational school system. It even includes the famous, Southfork Ranch from the TV series Dallas and is home to one of the largest hot-air balloon festivals in the country.

What were you like when you were a child?
I was tall, skinny and full of dreams. I guess I was the ugly duckling who wanted to sing.

Who is the most influential person in your life?
My parents who taught the value of education

What is one thing about you that people you meet may not immediately realize?
I am a songwriter who has written several songs, including two of the songs I use for my Texas Cares for Children school programs.

What was one defining moment in your life?
Winning Miss Texas because it will help pay for my education

What was one defining moment in your life?
In the words of author, Lanny Bassham, "Pageantry is a tough sport!"

What was one defining moment in your life?
I have a couple of things I would like to accomplish. I would like to encourage young people to never give up on their dreams, goals and education because education is the key to success, and I would like to work with the Miss American Organization to bring in more corporate support. I feel that we also need to get our story out to mainstream America. I feel that my story is what the Miss America Scholarship Program is about.