You won the title of Miss Trenton United States, what does it entail ?
Having the title of Miss Trenton United States entails fighting for a community that many people do not notice or that many people skip over because of the horrible things portrayed in the media. But as Miss Trenton United States, it is my mission to show everyone, that isn’t who we are. I want to help the children of this area and many other poverty stricken areas as well so that they know they can fight for what is right and that their area code doesn’t define them, the same way I didn’t allow it to define me. I want to show them that there is a light in them, to give them hope for a better tomorrow.
What inspired you to walk on the course of beauty pageants?
I started pageantry and my research when I came across Chhavi Verg as Miss New Jersey USA. Hearing her story and then going on to listen to the stories of the other prestigious women who were in pageantry, I was hooked! After doing my research, I noticed it was the perfect way that as a woman, I could be heard. Not just by my community, but by my state and nationwide if I fought hard enough for it.
Chhavi Verg was 1st runner-up in Miss Usa 2017. She was the second Indian-American to represent New Jersey in the competition. The primary cause that Chhavi advocates for is women's' education and empowerment.
What do you expect to gain by competing in pageantry?
From competing in pageantry this past year, I have already gained so much. New friends, a new outlook on life, being able to step outside my comfort zone and learning what it is like to be truly confident.
Tell me something about yourself and your work. What do you actually do, and have done in the past?
I recently graduated from Seton Hall University with my degree in Social and Behavioral Science and Political science. I am currently the C.E.O. for the Stacey Blount’s Rising Stars Organization. I was born and partly raised in Brownsville, Brooklyn and this was the location my Organization was founded in with the help of the community education council my mother sat on as treasurer before losing in.
Social media seem to play a major role in pageantry nowadays. Do you think this is advantageous to you? Why or why not?
I love the fact that social media enhances my pageant experience because it gives me an opportunity to put my platform out there for everyone to see! It also gives me the ability to quickly connect with others involving pageantry (such as yourself) and many other pageant sisters that I connected with before even actually meeting them in person. This gave me the opportunity to have some friends when its time to start the competition process so I didn’t go in feeling alone.
Did you face any moment of disappointment with yourself during the pageant journey, and how did you overcome it?
I definitely faced a moment of disappointment with myself during my pageant journey and it was losing my first pageant. I felt like I pushed myself in so many different ways that I couldn’t even imagine and this included finding my faith in God again. After losing, I overcame it by reminding myself that I was not the only person who worked hard beyond measure and that someone else worked a little harder than I did and that was ok. I reminded myself that whats for me will be, and God will make it happen in his time. That I have to just continue to work harder, smarter, and stay positive.
We’ve all seen the stereotypical portrayals of pageant contestants, a la Miss Congeniality, spreading peace, love and beauty throughout the world. How do you think you'll make a difference?
Everyone’s goal is definitely spreading peace, love, and beauty throughout the world, but in order to do that we must start small and make the differences in our communities and come together as a team to see the world shine. I will make a difference not just in one way but in many.
I also want to work with poverty stricken communities and elected city officials to find a solution for failing schools, because I strongly believe in the power of education. Another vision I have is building small communities or buildings to provide shelter for the homeless in various states, especially New York and New Jersey. I want to inspire others to practice activism and fighting for what they believe in by speaking with children all across the country. All of the things that I am trying to accomplish, I also want to accomplish on a worldwide level so everyone knows that we as pageant Queens aren’t just focused on changing the United States, but also the World.
What would you advise any young girl out there who has a dream of being a queen one day?
The advice I would definitely give a young girl who has the dream of being a Queen one day is to always remember to stand strong in your purpose. I strongly believe in the quote “girls with vision become women with purpose.” Throughout the pageant journey, you will come across many obstacles that will possibly try to break you down and you may lose focus or sight of what is truly important, but always keep your purpose in mind, because it will allow you to overcome those obstacles and you will learn the power of staying resilient.
Who is your favoite beauty queen ?
Being new to pageantry has open my eyes up to many prestigious and honorable women but my ideal beauty queen is definitely Deshauna Barber! She is my ideal Queen because she is part of the reason that as a African-American female, I can accept all parts of myself. From my chocolate skin to my kinky coils that create my afro. She remained strong in fighting for this country is multiple ways from the military to her purpose in pageantry. Being able to have someone similar to look up to always reminds me that I am capable of achieving anything I put my heart, mind, and soul into!
