HERSTORY: Kaysha Florvil, competing for Miss Florida, mental health advocate

22 Jun HERSTORY: Kaysha Florvil, competing for Miss Florida, mental health advocate

HERSTORY: Kaysha Florvil, competing for Miss Florida, mental health advocate

My name is Kaysha Florvil, and this is my story. If you know anything about me, you know that I absolutely love telling stories and, in fact, I have plenty of them up my sleeve. I mean, between the time I went into work and a random lady gave me her new Tory Burch bag because I complimented the style or the time I was driving home on a random rainy Tuesday, and I felt the voice of God telling me to start my blog which is now called His Word For Her. You see- I believe that every extravagant incident, every crazy day at work, and even the mundane moments have a significant purpose in the overall picture of our testimony. Before I tell you my story, I must forewarn you and tell you that it is very ORDINARY. I mean, I am pretty sure that Ordinary Girl by Miley Cyrus was my “life song” for a reigning seven years until “This Is Me” came out with The Greatest Showman movie. Anyway, I make this point to tell you that prior to winning my title as Miss St. Lucie County (a Miss America local title) – I was just like you.

I would argue that I still am an ordinary girl that’s doing extravagant things because of the extraordinary God who created me, on purpose, for a purpose. I believe that I’ve constantly been placed in various positions in life to show others that no matter where you started in life, there is always the opportunity for redirection. By the end of this, I would like you to know that I’ve realized choosing Hope is the road less traveled, which leads to a splendorous life and produces a fruitful perspective.

So let me just cut to the chase. I grew up in South Florida with my three sisters, mom, and dad. I went to public school. I always did pretty well in school. I moved schools a few times because we migrated a lot in SoFlo (South Florida) as our financial situation changed. I loved Hannah Montana. I loved going to church on Sundays and burning my mom’s gas to serve all over my community (which was my favorite thing to do with my mom). We would serve in and out of our church, and I just always remember that I loved being on a mission to help others when I wasn’t in school. Before you start yawning over my alarming normality, I should note I was extremely passionate about cheerleading, and I was the ultimate girly girl, but here is the climax of my entire story…Ready? I-was-so-so-shy. AHH. I said it. I was extremely scared of being myself, and (my goodness) I was so insecure. I was so ashamed of my faith. I hated how skinny I was. I hated that I was “ordinary,” but somehow – that made me so different and unique because I was never able to attain the impossible standards that society imposed on the youth in my generation. I don’t think I was completely able to fully embrace the true me until I won my title by being the 100% authentic version of who God created “Kaysha” to be. I started to realize that being normal and relatable could actually inspire someone in a time where authenticity is often mistaken for being a carbon copy of an influencer that’s well known for being a “realist” or by wearing “real” designer brands. I started looking into the uncharted territories of my heart, in which I discovered my passion for bringing out the best in other people and my desire to help others rewrite their stories in their pursuit of finding their identity during a worldwide identity crisis.

I know my story hasn’t fully “happened” yet, but while I am in the happening, I know that I’ve at least learned one thing. There is somebody in this world that would love to see the real you, and a woman who has allowed herself to truly live undefined is a woman who has silently voiced the power of authenticity. In just a few days, I will be competing for the job of Miss Florida, and I will be carrying this message with me across the stage in hopes to spread a life-changing message through my Reach From Within Social Impact Initiative. Overall, my word of advice would be to be you ‘boo’ and just watch how God can take your ordinary story to extraordinary lengths. I am rooting for you!