I love New Hampshire because it is the place that gave me both roots and wings.
Growing up in Bedford gave me grounding, ambition and a deep understanding of what community really means. It is a place that values hard work, education, service and showing up for one another. Those values shaped me from a young age, and now I get to give back to the same state that helped raise me as Miss New Hampshire Volunteer.
What I love most about New Hampshire is that it feels personal. It is the kind of place where people remember your name, support your fundraisers, come to your performances, cheer you on at games and show up when it matters. Even when my dreams did not always fit the mold, my community still taught me the importance of perseverance, humility and service.
Growing up, I sometimes felt like my dreams were bigger than the environment around me. Excelling academically was encouraged. Giving back was encouraged. But wanting to be on TV, work in media or pursue modeling was not always understood. At times, I remember feeling almost crazy for dreaming that big, like maybe I was supposed to have grown up somewhere else to chase something so unconventional.
But over time, I realized that is part of why I love New Hampshire. This state taught me how to believe in myself even when not everyone understood the vision. It taught me that you do not need constant validation to keep going. In fact, not having everyone’s approval became a gift. It pushed me to take the leap more boldly, work harder and become more confident in who I was becoming.
I will never forget the friends from high school who patiently listened to me talk about my dream of working in media. God bless them. It means so much now to hear those same people say, “You’re doing it!” That full-circle feeling is one of the reasons New Hampshire will always be home. It is where my dreams first sounded impossible — and where I learned the discipline to make them real.
I also love the competitive spirit of Bedford and New Hampshire as a whole. From state championship sports teams to auditioning for your dream role in drama club, there was always this friendly drive to be better, work harder and rise to the moment. That environment taught me resilience. It taught me how to handle pressure, how to keep showing up and how to grow through both success and disappointment.
But beyond ambition, New Hampshire has given me comfort. There is something remarkable about the sense of belonging I feel here. No matter where I travel or what opportunities I pursue, nothing compares to the feeling of coming home. Whether it is the gorgeous fall foliage, an iced coffee from the Inside Scoop or simply walking through my childhood neighborhood, New Hampshire reminds me who I am.
I love New Hampshire because it shaped my character before it ever shaped my platform. It taught me to work hard, serve others, stay grounded and dream anyway. Now, as Miss New Hampshire Volunteer, I get to give back to the communities that once showed up for me. That is what makes representing this state so meaningful — New Hampshire is not just where I am from, it is part of who I am.
Sophia Sargent is a media personality, host and content creator named Miss New Hampshire Volunteer in 2026. She lives in Bedford.