I'm a lioness. I have four cubs. I'm a mom. I want to take care of my kids and protect them.

I'd say I'm a good cook. I have a lot of German recipes that I can make - schnitzel, meatballs and things with cabbage. I love cabbage.

I like to dream, but I like to make things happen.

I grew up in a big family with a lot of kids around, and I definitely want to have children as well.

For the longest time, you just sound like a broken record, but you have to be consistent when teaching kids.

Never underestimate the power of the ocean.

I've been heartbroken. I've broken hearts. That's part of life, and its part of figuring out who you are so you can find the right partner.

Going blonde is like buying yourself a light bulb!

I don't know why I got so lucky. I have to pinch myself often and say, 'Is this just a dream?'

I'm not saying that everyone should swim with sharks, but sometimes you have to jump over your own shadow in order to learn something that you will never forget for the rest of your life. Then you know you can conquer your fears.

I am generally a very happy and easygoing person. I also believe it's always better to meet people with a smile rather than looking cold, especially when you first meet. It changes everything.

I think it's important to get your surroundings as well as yourself into a positive state - meaning surround yourself with positive people, not the kind who are negative and jealous of everything you do.

I'm covered up, but I'm still getting these comments that say I shouldn't be. But the girls who wear the bikinis, they're being told they're too revealing! Enough. It's their body, their choice.

When I was younger, I got bullied for wearing my hijab.

I think often the West does not understand the history and the privilege of wearing a hijab. They always think of oppression.

I never grew up seeing women that looked like me in magazines or on TV and didn't feel like I had a place in the world of fashion. I am honoured to be part of that change.

There is a misconception that young Muslim women are oppressed. That simply isn't the case. I choose to dress modestly and choose to cover my hair with a hijab; not all Muslim women make that choice, and that's okay. We are all different!

I feel best when I am modestly dressed. It's a choice I make and am proud of; for me, I don't think I have to show skin to be beautiful.

Shopping for hijabs has always been fun for me. I was so excited to begin wearing a headscarf. I had always looked up to my mother as she wore hers, and I was eager to emulate her beauty and the wonderful things she represented.

I think it's important to be diverse, and I hope we continue to see that as a trend in the fashion industry.

I think to be Miss U.S.A., first of all, you need to represent everybody, all of us here.

I love speaking at schools. That's always my favorite because I wish I'd had someone who was like me come speak at my school.

What I have learned is that designers are willing to tell the world that they are here to empower women from all different backgrounds and different walks of life.

People I looked up to a lot were, you know, Oprah because she had a rough childhood but overcame so many obstacles and broke barriers to become who she is. It was really eye opening to me: just because I had a rough childhood doesn't mean that I can't make something of myself.