Miss Arizona USA reflected on her amazing experience as title-holder and preparations to compete in the Miss USA Pageant this June.

“It’s just been a whirlwind,” Brittany Brannon, Miss Arizona USA, said. “I got to meet some of the most amazing people and it really was an amazing opportunity.”

Brannon said her most memorable moment as Miss Arizona USA was working with the Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team USO. The team is composed of war veterans and active duty soldiers who have served their country and lost a limb in the line of duty.

“These guys are so fun and so selfless,” Brannon said. “They do everything for our country. I was just astounded with their will to live life to it’s fullest, which was so inspiring.”

Brannon said her whole experience has been inspiring but being Miss Arizona USA doesn’t come without pressure and responsibility.

She said a title-holder needs to be very versatile and handle making appearances at a lot of different events. A typical day could be interacting with little kids in the morning, a lunch with important people in the senate mid-day and an event at night with some of the most influential people in the state, she added.

Brannon said the hardest thing about being Miss Arizona USA is not to worry about other people’s opinions.

“You really do have a year of opportunity and you have to realize you can make a difference,” Brannon said. “You have to set your own goals and go after them. People are so critical and always will be so you can’t let others tear you down.”