"Learn from your failures!"

Our #WCW for this week is the talented and inspirational, Miss Atlanta 2015, Courtney Hinesley! Read about her story and her advice for young professionals in our interview with Courney!

1. What's your story? What makes you unique?

I was born and raised in the small town of Grayson, GA, where my parents still reside today. I graduated from Grayson High School in 2013 and went on to attend college at Augusta State University, but soon transferred after my freshman year to attend Kennesaw State University. I was born into a very loving and hardworking family with parents who devoted their lives to my older sister and I. Things weren't always easy, but with the foundation my parents built this family on we knew that we could always face hard times together and to this day we haven't deviated from that concept. I believe it's important to always remember where one comes from because it helps not only shape you as a person, but it helps shape your world view. My dad worked two jobs most of my life to make ends meet, so my mom could stay home to raise my sister and I when we were younger. While watching him, I developed a strong work ethic backed by an incredible amount of determination from a very early age along with very high morals and values that I still keep close to my heart.

My story is of great importance to me because it is my personal testimony of not only perseverance, but the amount of determination I exuberated in every hardship that I faced. The unending amount of faith I had of knowing that every set back was just a set up that God would be using to develop me as a person and shift me into the destiny that he has laid out for my life is humbling to now look back on and see how he has molded everything in my favor up to this moment in time.

2. What motivates you?

My faith in God's purpose for my life. It is the only thing that I can find complete security in and whose promises I know will never be broken. Knowing that I have a heavenly father guiding my journey through life and helping me make decisions every step of the way motivates me to always stay true to myself and to follow my heart. I wake up each day excited to see what the day will bring because I'm constantly pushing myself to be better than I was the day before, so I can reach my full potential. God created each of us for a specific purpose and as for myself, trying to seek out my divine destiny in this life to make a difference, is what motivates me everyday.

3. Who is a hero of yours?

Joel Goddard. He is not only the worship leader at my church, but he is my vocal coach, mentor and friend. Whether he knows the imprint he has left on my life, or not, he has changed me for the better. Our vocal lessons reach far beyond just singing a few notes. He has helped bring to surface an identity that has been buried for years. With the wisdom and life advice he has shared with me the past two years, there is no denying that he was specifically selected to speak words of life into me at a very pivotal time in my life. He saved my life and helped me see things from a whole new perspective. I will be forever grateful that our paths crossed.

4. What's your future plan? Your goals?

Well right now I am a Junior at Kennesaw State University majoring in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations. I have a passion for not only writing, but also public speaking, so I am hoping to combine the two in whichever career path I choose to follow. It would be my dream job to be a spokesperson for a Fortune 500 Company, or some type of media correspondent. As of right now though, I will be competing for my dream job of Miss Georgia 2015 in June in hopes of making a childhood dream come true that would lead me to the prestigious Miss America stage in Atlantic City this coming September.

5. If you could give one piece of advice, what would it be?

Fail BIG and don't be afraid to do it more than once! I've always been taught that you learn more through your failures than you do your successes. Speaking from personal experience as someone that has had countless failures I can say that my character has been developed only through the tough times in my life. To often people view failures, trails and disappointments as some kind of barrier or punishment, but really failures are blessings. Without them we couldn't really be tested to find out what all we're capable of under pressure. Those failures and low points in life are where the changes take place and where you discover the depth of who you really are. We gain insight about ourselves in hard times, that otherwise we would have never discovered. I can say that through my depression, heartbreaks, struggle with cyber bullying, battle with self confidence, undergoing a spinal fusion for Scoliosis at only 13, almost being held back in the 2nd grade because I couldn't read, and being told that I wasn't good enough along with other situations, are the moments in my life that have helped define me as a person and have given me an incredible platform and mission to be in the position I am today. I wouldn't take back any failure or wrong road I took because it has given me a voice to show and share with others that the key to success is perseverance. The most successful people have endured and conquered the most failures. So start learning how to dance in the rain!!

6. What is something you feel strongly about (a cause, belief, etc.)?

My platform is F.L.Y: Mentoring Youth To Reach New Heights. F.L.Y is an acronym that stands for First Love Yourself. A concept that seems easy to grasp, but yet for so many the idea is never fully developed. It's sad to think that we have an epidemic on our hands among our younger generation of people thinking that somehow they aren't good enough, or they have no purpose in life, or the fact that they hate the reflection they have to see in the mirror everyday. I'm very passionate about this cause because at one point in my life all those thoughts that I just stated were ones that I battled with in my mind on a daily basis. It is incredibly important to mentor the next generation into loving themselves because that concept alone sets up a foundation for all good works and possible goals in ones life. It is my mission to help others love who they are, flaws and all because real authenticity is beYOUtiful.

7. What's one of the coolest things you've ever done?

The coolest thing I have ever had the privilege to do would be putting together a "Music for Miracles" benefit concert to raise money for Children's Miracle Network. The idea actually came to me one night when I was trying to fall asleep and at that moment I decided to run with it. Being a former CMN child twice myself, I know the importance of the proceeds that people raise.. it makes miracles happen. I was able to work with the Peachtree Entertainment label, who signed Cole Swindell and Luke Bryan, and get four Nashville recording artists to come perform in Athens and have all of the proceeds completely go towards Children Miracle Network. Watching over 500 people back the venue that night was truly a humbling experience to be able to watch a vision be turned into a reality. It was definitely a night of miracles and it was one I will cherish forever.

8. Anything we haven't asked that you'd like to talk about.

The Miss America Organization. I have been competing in pageants since I was two years old, but I never gained as much as I did until I started participating in the Miss America Organization. Being surrounded by the most classy and successful young women there is pushes you to want to become a better person. I found my voice and the revealed the depth of who I was to myself through this organization. There is no other pageant that can wrap all of your talents and interests into one while making the world a better place at the same time. The facets that make up this organization help instill into the young women who compete in this organization a sense of drive and determination, public speaking skills, confidence, and the mindset to achieve and become something bigger than yourself. It's about spreading a light into other peoples darkest places and impacting those around you to always reach higher. We truly do become more successful when we help others and push others to achieve their goals in life. "You have two hands. One to help yourself, the second to help others."