Meet Haley Wright | Miss Tempe 2023

We had the good fortune of connecting with Haley Wright and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Haley, what are you inspired by?
I am inspired by the sheer resilience of children. I have witnessed, firsthand, the devastating realities of childhood cancer through watching my brother, James Jr. fight for his life. Since his passing in 2015, I have had the privilege of serving other children like him across Arizona through fundraising and advocacy by means of my community service initiative, “It Takes a Village.” The grit and determination these children display, despite battling cancer, is unmatched. I am inspired by their innocence and fiery passion for life. Their love and their fun spirits. Through countless procedures, surgeries, medications, pokes, and prods, they march forward. This sort of biological resistance to adversity is the foundation for a strong person; and children almost always inherently possess it. I’m in awe by them.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a registered nurse who specializes in oncology, hematology, and bone marrow transplants. I graduated nursing school in May 2022, so I am still what we call a “baby nurse.” I really attribute the fact that I was offered this position before I graduated nursing school to the interview skills I gained as a Miss America titleholder. I was offered a position in my dream field over the phone after I connected with the woman conducting the interview- she asked me why I wanted to work in oncology, and I shared with her my brother’s story. I shared that 8 years ago he was treated in this same hospital, and his nurses inspired me to make a lasting impact in this field the way they did me. I was shocked to hear her similar story of losing her younger brother to cancer, too. We connected over this strange sub-category of “grieving sibling,” and she offered me the job.

Coming into this field was an easy decision to make, but actually doing the job- that was a different story. The beginning was the hardest- although amid a flood of emotions, I kept thinking to myself “this is SO full circle!” I see my brother in every patient I care for. And I care for them as if they were him. There are so many nights where I lock myself in our unit’s bathroom and cry for them, or sob on the phone with my mom as I drive home- but I always go back to remembering, this is SO full circle. I chose to make a difference in this space. I actively choose to pour into a cause that once consumed my life. Remembering this makes my job so worth wild.

Through every up and down (and trust, me- there are plenty) I have learned that, above all else, all we have in this life is hope. Sometimes all odds are against us- all we can do is muster up the tiny ounce of strength we have left to grip onto a strand of hope. That is what nursing is. Nurturing that hope. Caring for people in their most vulnerable state. Laughing and crying with patients. It is the most intimate experience and I am so honored to have chosen this career.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would start off by grabbing breakfast at El Charro Hipster Bar & Cafe Restaurant! They’re a family-owned restaurant in artsy downtown Phoenix with the most delicious iced coffees, hispanic fusion meals, and the BEST atmosphere! You have to try the flirtation bruschetta with prosciutto, marscapone, figs, and basil- unreal.

Then, I’d say we visit the Musical Instrument Museum and waltz through a truly cultural experience of music and instruments from around the world. Anything musical is my jam. (Get it?)

Visiting Tempe Town Lake is a must, too! (I am Miss Tempe, after all!) Festivals, sailing, fishing, picknicking- the options are endless here. The local artwork is gorgeous, too.

I would end the day with a trip to Old Town Scottsdale- the shopping and restaurants are insane there. The vibrant and urban vibes are so fun! I always feel like I’m on vacation when I’m there.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would not have been able to fundraise nearly $8,000 for Arizona families battling childhood cancer without the platform given to me by the Miss Arizona and Miss America Organizations. I learned about the scholarships, community involvement, and career advancement this program offers young women in 2021, but I had no clue that I would be surrounded by mentors and friends who believed in me so fiercely. The women who compete in this program are unreal- business owners, non-profit starters, lawyers, doctors, avid volunteers, and so much more. Just being in the presence of these women lights a fire under me. I am so grateful to have been able to play a small part in the mission of the Miss America Organization- preparing great women for the world and preparing the world for great women.

Website: ItTakesAVillage5k.eventbrite.com

Instagram: miss_tempeaz

Linkedin: Haley Wright

Other: TikTok: haleyalwayswright

Image Credits
Gabi Marshall Photography Nicole Walker Photography Victor Moreno Photography Gage Brumbaugh Photography