Theresa began twirling a baton at the age of 6, and has gone on to become a State, Regional, National, and World Open Baton-twirling and strutting champion, performing at numerous events including the Kick-Off Classic NCAA football game. She is a motivational speaker and the National spokesperson for the Shriners Childrens Hospitals and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Theresa was the first woman with a visible disability (she was born without a left hand) to vie for the Miss America crown, and was recognized at the 2001 Miss America pageant as the "Quality of Life" 1st runner-up Scholarship Award recipient.
