Ever since she was a little girl, Madison Tabet has dreamed of the day she would compete for the Miss America title. This year, Tabet, who recently completed her freshman year in Point Park University’s dance program, will represent New Mexico for an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. At 14-years-old, Tabet had already begun thinking about her future and decided to start competing in pageants. “I did it as a way to get scholarship money,” Tabet said. “It was a great way to get money for college and it was also a performance opportunity.”Tabet began by competing in local pageants in New Mexico. From there, she went on to compete in the state competition.“The first time I competed in the state competition I was runner up,” Tabet said. “The second time, I won Miss New Mexico.”As the winner of Miss New Mexico, Tabet will face 51 other girls in hopes of winning the title Miss America.Tabet said her life has definitely changed since attaining her recent title.“My life has changed beautifully,” Tabet said. “I understand that I am now at a level of influence. I’m a role model to children and they need that.”Dacia Rutske, Madison’s local director, said that Madison performed well at the New Mexico competition.“I’ve been working with Madison for 5 years now. She is a great competitor,” Rutske said. “I always knew she would make it because she has very few weaknesses in competitions.” Rutske also said she thinks Madison’s personality has a great deal to do with her success.“Madi is a lover of people,” Rutske said. “She is not superficial [and] she’s a deep person in not only her feelings but how she treats others.”Madison said she credits much of her success to Point Park’s dance program.  She said living so far away from home helped her realize that competing was her dream, and her professors had confidence in her ability to do so.“My teachers were always a rock-solid foundation for me,” Tabet said. “My friends and teachers were always there supporting me. I truly feel blessed to have such a good support system.”While attending Point Park, Madison’s friends and professors helped her work on her platform.  During the Miss New Mexico competition, Madison was judged in the categories of Physical Fitness, Evening Wear, Talent, and Interview.  Madison’s platform was “Domestic Violence: The Solution Within”. A platform is a cause or organization that a contestant brings awareness to through her involvement with the pageant.  Madison said this is something she is very passionate about because of her personal experiences with domestic violence.She wanted to do something that combined her love for dance and her stand against domestic violence. Her friends and professors helped her put together a jazz piece to combine the two.“Since winning Miss New Mexico I have partnered with the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence.  I am their official spokesperson about what steps to take to get help,” Tabet said. “I also don’t mind sharing my story with people. I think it is important for them to know [I’ve] through what they are going through now.”When Madison was younger, her father gambled away her college funds and her mother’s retirement money. For years she watched her family being financially, economically and emotionally abused.“I watched my mom fall deeper and deeper,” Tabet said. “The day my father put his hands on me, I knew something had to be done. I always say ‘the unknown risk far outweighs the known danger’. That was the day I called the police.”Because of her busy schedule and preparation for the Miss America pageant, Tabet has taken the year off from her education.“I might return to school in the fall of 2011, but hopefully not,” Tabet joked. “If I win Miss America, I won’t be coming back to school until fall 2012. But I definitely want to get my degree.”Besides doing public appearances, interviews and work for her platform Madison is also preparing for the most significant time in her life. She is doing physical fitness training, picking out outfits and gowns for the evening wear and swimsuit categories and will soon begin rehearsal for the opening number of the Miss America pageant.“The girls usually get to Vegas ten days early for rehearsal,” Rutske said. “There is also a reality show Madison will be a part of that does mock competitions for fun.”Paulette Lewis, a sophomore dance major, said she could not be more excited for Madison.“I remember on our first day of jazz class, Madison told everyone her dream was to be Miss America,” Lewis said. “I think she really deserves this. Madi has the biggest heart. She is a beautiful person inside and out.”Even though Madison is hundreds of miles away, her friends at Point Park are also preparing for the pageant.“We are planning a get-together at school to watch the pageant,” Lewis said. “We are making banners to show our support even though she isn’t here. “The pageant will be televised live Jan. 15 on ABC and will be hosted by The Bachelor’s Chris Harrison.