I was always the kid that would go out into my yard and find a baby mouse that needed help. “Mom, Dad, we’re taking care of this,” I’d say. It wasn’t a choice. Those were my first “patients.”

My mom and I met a few local wildlife rehabilitators, Alan Jarecki and Carol Winfield, who would take in the animals I found and mentored us both. I was just entranced by the act of caring for something vulnerable. That’s when I realized: caring — for animals and people — was my calling.

When I was 10, my mom became a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. When I was old enough, I did too. Now we run Otter Creek Wildlife Rescue in Addison and coordinate a volunteer transport network to get injured animals to the right rehab. It’s an incredible community.

My grandfather fought in World War II, earned a Purple Heart at the Battle of the Bulge, and later became a storyteller sharing the intense experiences of his service. I’ve always looked up to him and thought of following that path.

I also wanted to go to college — but wasn’t sure how to pay for it. A high school teacher suggested the Miss Vermont competition. I laughed. “That’s hilarious, no.” I’d always been a tomboy. But when I learned it was about scholarship, service and empowering women, I was in.

For my first competition, I bought a $10 dress at a second-hand store. But my grandfather's military legacy was still pulling at me. So, I decided to do both. After high school, I joined the Vermont National Guard to become a medic, which covered nursing school. I just got back from a two-week training in Greece.

This year I also became the 80th Miss Vermont — and I’m headed to the Miss America competition that starts on September 3, 7 pm ET.

Sophia Parker has been an RN in the Emergency Department at UVM Medical Center for one year.