I'm still in "the oven"

My first foray into pageant hair

My mom, sister, and me at 1 year old

I'm probably around 2

My sister, Suzette, and me

My only topless photo

Little did I know losing a tooth would be the least of my orthodontic worries

Debbye at 6-ish

Starting to get the idea that big collars were a thing in the '70s

Debbye 2nd or 3rd grade

4th grade

FINALLY, my mother let me wear my hair down! 13 years old

14 years old with braces.....thank God!

I LOVE percussion

16 years old

Vet School

examining dog in Vet School

Miss Missouri official photo

Crowning moment

Walking the runway after winning

Official Miss America photo

SCUBA diving on assignment for CBS News

The Early Show pet segment

The Early Show pet segment

The very first time I met Gerald who would become my husband 16 years later