Bella Lara has been dreaming of this moment since she was a little girl. 

Growing up, Bella always watched movies and dreamed about winning prom queen. 

Now she finally has the chance to make her dreams become reality.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to be prom queen,” she said before adding, “but being on prom court is like a win in itself.”

Lara is very grateful for this opportunity. During her freshman and sophomore years she ran for Homecoming princess and had to face a different side of getting her dreams crushed. She ran for homecoming princess her freshman year because her older sister was on court, and Bella wanted to follow in her older sister’s footsteps since she looked up to her.

She does not regret putting herself out there and facing new challenges though because “Everything happens for a reason, so it was meant to be now because it all worked out in the end.”

This belief that “What’s meant to be will be” has been a mantra for her all prom season. During Prom Fashion Show, as the Prom Court was announced, Bella couldn’t help but feel nervous but also excited. For the last six years, going back to middle school, she was involved in ASB; for the last two years, she was a Link Crew leader. She has long claimed to be shy, but branched out this year, taking risks and being more social.

So, she knew going into the Prom Fashion Show that whatever the outcome was would be okay either way.

And that’s because her motivation is her future. Lara holds herself to high standards because she wants a foundation for herself when she’s older, as in being financially stable and happy with herself. 

After high school she plans to attend a four year university to study communications and digital media. Running for prom has in part helped her prepare for this, as she finds herself more outgoing, independent and better at communicating with others.

That has made the experience feel somewhat surreal for Lara. Win or lose, though, this has been a big milestone. And while she would love to win the Prom Queen crown, her dreams are already coming true.