Today, Miss Colorado USA is still homeless.
Griffith has suffered a string of tragedies in her life, beginning with the death of her father from cancer when she was 14. Then, three years ago her mother had a heart attack, leaving her unable to work. The beauty queen, who graduated magna cum laude from the Art Institute of Colorado, has a job at Saks Fifth Avenue. But the store is closing in March.
But faced with such adversity, Griffith still manages to stay positive. She uses the misfortune in her life as the basis for talks she gives at schools across the state and hopes she is an inspiration to others.
"I feel like these are all just moments that are teaching me how to be a stronger person," she told 9News.
For now, Griffith lives with a friend and is preparing to compete in the Miss USA pageant in June.
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