Redefining beauty: Miss USA visits Addison Trail to share journey of graduating from West Point, being accepted to Stanford University and becoming a 1st lieutenant

On Feb. 11, Miss USA Alma Cooper met with Addison Trail students and shared an important message – “If you can see me, you can be me.”

To view a photo gallery from her presentation, see the images above.

Cooper shared her journey of overcoming challenges and not letting barriers stand in her way. She spoke about being the daughter of a migrant worker and having those closest to her say she would never achieve her dream of attending the United States Military Academy at West Point.

A few years later, Cooper not only graduated with honors from West Point, but she also was named as a Knight-Hennessy scholar, was accepted to Stanford University to pursue her master’s degree in statistics (data science track) and became a 1st lieutenant and Military Intelligence Officer in the United States Army.

After reaching those goals, Cooper set her sights on another way to serve and joined the beauty pageant arena. In August 2024, she was named as the first Afro-Latina Miss USA.

“Miss USA provides me with a platform to guide, support and hopefully inspire the next generation of leaders – which is you,” Cooper said to the Addison Trail students. “I want you to remember that forward is always forward – no matter the pace. And the only person who can set limits is you – so never be the first one to say ‘no’ to your dreams.”

During her visit, Cooper toured Addison Trail and spoke with cadets in the school’s new U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program. She also met with students who are part of the school’s LADIES group, which provides support and ongoing motivational clinics to help members gain confidence in themselves and realize their true potential.

For more information about Cooper, click on the links below.