Megan competed in the Miss America 2005 pageant broadcast live by ABC from Atlantic City, New Jersey in September 2004 and placed as a Top Ten finalist in front of 9.8 million people.

Megan spent her year championing the cause of domestic violence prevention. Dedicated to helping women and children, Bushell’s fund raising efforts have been recognized nationally by the Miss America Organization and a Presidential Service Award. As spokesperson for the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence, Megan has helped raise more than $500,000 for prevention services.

A down-to-earth, genuine girl, Megan has always been proud of her Midwestern and Southern roots.  She was raised on the values of God first, family second and career third. Megan strives to live this way because of something one of her mentors, Mary Kay Ash said: “In this order everything works, out of that order not much works.” Growing up, her parents always encouraged her to dream big which led to her favorite quote: “Yes, I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20

Megan now shares her time between Wichita, Kansas and Los Angeles, CA. She continues work as an advocate for women and children with Santa Monica based Project Nightlight, the Kansas Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence, and local charities in Kansas.