Kataluna Enriquez made history for Nevada as the first transgender beauty pageant winner in the state. Enriquez won the title of Miss Silver State USA, the largest preliminary competition leading up to Miss Nevada USA.

According to KVVU-TV, Kataluna has faced many obstacles on her journey to the crown. At another pageant outside of Nevada, Kataluna describes ‘invasive’ requirements once organizers found out she was trans. The pageant required her to provide private documents including a letter from a doctor.

The 27-year-old fashion designer is hopeful, “I have a great feeling about Nevada … I am looking forward to it,” she told KVVU-TV.

According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Kataluna was asked to describe an obstacle she had faced and overcame at the competition. 

“Growing up, I was often told that I was not allowed to be myself, or to be in spaces that I was not welcome. One of the obstacles I encounter every day is just being true to myself. Today I am a proud transgender woman of color. Personally, I’ve learned that my differences do not make me less than, it makes me more than. And my differences is what makes me unique, and I know that my uniqueness will take me to all my destinations, and whatever I need to go through in life,” she answered.

The Miss Nevada USA pageant will be held in June and Enriquez is looking forward to the stage.