By Jordan Diab.
Who is Savannah Wix?
Savannah Wix is a woman of many hats…or sashes, one could say. She has held the titles of Miss Teen Arizona USA, Miss Malibu, and is currently the reigning Miss Arizona USA. She is now on the road to compete in the Miss USA pageant in Reno-Tahoe, Nev.
Wix became involved with pageants when she was a teenager. “Pageants had always piqued my interest as a way to get into modeling, but I discovered that I greatly enjoyed competing and preparing for the events,” she says. “Competing is a great way to become more articulate, poised, and professional.”
Wix is also a recent graduate from Pepperdine University, a passionate musician trained in musical theater and opera, and an advocate for important causes – case in point, she is using her title to bring awareness to mental health in the state of Arizona.
Fundraising
Working with notMYkid, a local nonprofit, Wix helps to fundraise for and facilitate suicide prevention training programs for youth leaders at schools all around the Valley. She explains that by training these students and adult mentors, the organization prepares them for difficult conversations and teaches them how to assist a person who is considering suicide. This training can help combat the lack of counselors available at Arizona schools and will assist in making resources more readily available to those who need them most. Wix believes this is an extremely important issue, particularly right now for Arizona, as suicide rates are steadily increasing. Arizona is currently ranked eighth among U.S. states for the highest rates of suicide.
“There is a lack of resources in the community, particularly at local schools. Action needs to be taken immediately,” Wix says.
She exhorts those who may be struggling with depression and anxiety to take advantage of the many resources and professionals available to help.
“The hardest part is asking for help,” she says.
When asked how she personally maintains her own mental health in the midst of a very busy lifestyle, she explains that she strives to listen to her own voice, rather than trying to meet the expectations of others.
Pageants Transformed
“When you are satisfied with yourself and know you are doing the best you personally can without comparison, you will find an inner peace that makes it much simpler to continue to lead such a busy life. Self-doubt and comparison can be incredibly time-consuming, so cut it out!”
Some say beauty pageants are “outdated” and “shallow,” but Wix disagrees. “Pageants have transformed into a fully encompassing personal and professional development program. When I am preparing for and competing in a pageant, I feel like the best version of myself. I believe that striving to be the best version of yourself will never be outdated.”
Finally, when asked what she would say if she had a magic megaphone the entire world would hear, Wix answers, “Mental health care is healthcare.”
From all of us at Green Living Magazine, Best of Luck at Miss USA, Savannah! We are proud to have you represent our beautiful state of Arizona.
Tune in to Fox 10 on May 2 to watch Savannah Wix in the Miss USA competition live, 5 p.m. MST.
Jordan Diab is a Phoenix native who has a B.A. in psychology at Pepperdine University.
