Sgt. Alexia Rodrigues, a recruiter with the Rhode Island Army National Guard and the 2025 Miss Rhode Island, discusses her personal journey during an episode of the Rhode Island National Guard Podcast, May 28, 2025. Rodrigues reflects on her growth from a shy 16-year-old competing in her first pageant to becoming the first actively serving Soldier to earn the Miss Rhode Island title.
During the conversation, Rodrigues shares her experience growing up in the foster care system, the resilience developed through early setbacks, and how vulnerability and purpose shaped both her military service and pageant career. She discusses the lessons learned from falling on stage at her first pageant, the inspiration behind her nonprofit, Foster Hope, Adopt a Dream, and her children’s book, The Somewhere Kid, as well as her advocacy for mental health, education, and second chances.
The episode highlights the intersection of service, leadership, and personal transformation, emphasizing the power of perseverance and choosing one’s own narrative.
(U.S. Army National Guard video by Sgt. 1st Class Terry Rajsombath)
| Date Taken: | 05.28.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 12.31.2025 09:28 |
| Category: | Interviews |
| Video ID: | 991927 |
| VIRIN: | 250528-Z-PJ209-1001 |
| Filename: | DOD_111463984 |
| Length: | 00:47:51 |
| Location: | RHODE ISLAND, US |
| Downloads: | 1 |
| High-Res. Downloads: | 1 |
This work, RING Podcast 009: From Foster Care to Miss Rhode Island, by SSG Terry Rajsombath, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
