5. What’s the reason for you to complete beauty pageant?
Scholarship money. Through my 6 years competing in the Miss America Organization, I’ve
gained $39,000 in scholarship monies which allowed me to graduate debt free from the
University of Michigan.
6. If you can have any super power, which power would you want to have?
I’m a huge Harry Potter fan, so I would love to be able to “apparate” (teleport) to any
place I want at any given time! It would be super convenient for my travels as Miss New
York!
7. During the process of competing beauty pageant, when you are facing stress and
obstacle, how do you deal with it?
I take a minute to breathe, focus, and recollect my thoughts. We all face stressful
situations and the best way for me to handle it is to just take a couple minutes and
remind myself of how hard I have worked and how far I have come.
8. Who is your favorite Disney Princess and why?
Belle from Beauty and the Beast! I dressed up as her for 5 consecutive Halloweens solely
for the reason that I loved her yellow dress.
9. What’s the best present you ever given to anyone?
I surprised my sister with tickets to the University of Michigan vs. Michigan State Football
game. Watching the game with her at “The Big House” was priceless!
10. What was the last book you read?
“Lean In” by Sheryl Sandberg. Enlightening and empowering for women of all ages.
11. What does Miss New York 2013 mean to you? Beside scholarship and recognition?
It provides me the opportunity to share my message with others. For me, Miss America
has always been known as the “girl next door.’ However, as the diversity of America
evolves, so does the image of the “girl next door.” I hope to be remembered as the Miss
New York who celebrated her cultural roots and through dedicated service facilitated a
movement to empower women to break down their own barriers and know that dreams
can become goals, which can become reality.
Interview by : Georgina Chen
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ELUCID MAGAZINE SUMMER 2013