April Hawkins

I am a mother of four, a woman of deep faith, and someone who believes that no matter how many times life shifts, you can always build something beautiful from the pieces. My journey began in Mississippi and took me through the heart of Memphis before my family settled in Colorado when I was nine. Colorado is where I grew up, went to school, and eventually found my footing as both a professional and a mother to my two daughters and two sons.

​My career has been a path of following my heart and my curiosity. I started out with a degree in Criminal Justice from Metro State University of Denver and spending time with the Aurora Police Department. But eventually, I realized I wanted to help build the literal foundations of our community, which led me back to school for Civil Engineering. Today, I work as a Geotechnical Engineering Inspector, working toward my professional license. Whether im on a job site or at home with my kids, I bring the same grit and discipline I learned as a lifelong athlete- including figure skating, semi pro women's rugby and competing at the collegiate level in both cheerleading and track and field.

​One of the greatest honors was representing my heritage and my grandmother’s roots as a member of the trailblazing Nigerian Women’s Bobsled and Skeleton Team. I spent years chasing the Olympic dream, from the USA Skeleton development team in 2014 to representing Team Nigeria in the sport of Skeleton as an alternate in the Winter Games. 

Most recently, in January 2026, I completed my final skeleton race. While I fell short of qualifying for the 2026 Olympics, my cup is completely full. The countries I’ve seen and the people I’ve met have taught me more than a medal ever could.

​Pageantry became a new outlet, with my first competition being in 2022 and second in 2024. Winning Miss Colorado for America Strong 2024 was a true turning point for me. I was so honored to place in the Top 10 at the national Miss for America competition, but more importantly, that experience opened my eyes to my deep love for community service. It gave me a platform to speak to young children about being driven and the importance of seizing every opportunity they are given. Seeing that spark in their eyes solidified my desire to lead and serve.

​Everything I’ve done—the sports, the engineering, the pageantry, has led me to my newest mission: Advocating Through Forgiveness, a victim advocacy program.

Driven by my faith and my own experiences, I’m building this non-profit to help others find the "Godly freedom" that comes from healing and letting go. I’m just a woman from Denver trying to use my story to make the path a little easier for the next person.