Bridging the Gap: Education Reform for Underserved Students by Darianny Bautista

As a woman of color from an immigrant family, my journey through the educational system has been anything but conventional. Growing up as the caretaker of my disabled single mother, I’ve faced challenges that many can hardly imagine: poverty, homelessness, and food insecurity. Despite these hurdles, I persevered through community college and now double major in Political science and Philosophy at George Washington University as congressional fellow, Legislative Youth Representative, and United States Senate Awardee. As I pursue a career as a Public policy Attorney and ultimately a Congressional representative, my story is a testament to the resilience and determination of underserved students everywhere, but it also highlights the urgent need for education reform. 

The Struggles of Underserved Students 

Underserved students like myself often navigate an educational landscape fraught with obstacles. For many, basic necessities like food and stable housing are not guaranteed, making academic success a secondary concern. When you’re worried about where your next meal will come from or if you’ll have a place to sleep, focusing on studies is an uphill battle. 

Moreover, the role of caretaker adds another layer of responsibility. As the primary support for my disabled mother, balancing schoolwork with caregiving duties was a daily challenge. This dual responsibility is a reality for many students in similar situations, yet the educational system often fails to provide adequate support. 

The Importance of Community Colleges 

Community colleges have been a critical stepping stone for many underserved students. For me, it was a place where I could begin to rebuild my academic foundation and gain confidence. Community colleges offer a more affordable and accessible entry point into higher education, but they are often underfunded and overlooked in policy discussions. 

Despite their potential, community colleges face significant challenges. Limited resources, overworked staff, and inadequate support services can hinder student success. Improving funding and resources for these institutions is essential in creating a more equitable education system. 

The Role of Universities 

Transitioning from community college to a university was a monumental step in my educational journey. Universities offer a broader range of opportunities and resources, but they also come with their own set of challenges for underserved students. Financial strain, social isolation, and the pressure to succeed in a more competitive environment can be daunting.

To support students like myself, universities must prioritize inclusivity and provide robust support systems. This includes financial aid, mental health services, and academic advising tailored to the unique needs of students from diverse backgrounds. Leading with this in mind, I’ve taken the initiative to become the first transfer and underserved student ambassador for my university’s admissions and orientation departments and became the first ever Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity at the GWU Student Government Association. 

The Path Forward: Education Reform 

Education reform is imperative to bridge the gap for underserved students. Here are a few key areas that need attention: 

1. **Increased Funding for Community Colleges**: Ensuring these institutions have the resources to support their diverse student bodies is crucial. This includes funding for tutoring, counseling, and emergency financial aid. 

2. Holistic Support Services: Both community colleges and universities should offer comprehensive support services that address the multifaceted challenges faced by underserved students. This includes food pantries, housing assistance, and mental health resources. 

3. **Inclusive Policies and Practices**: Educational institutions must actively work to create inclusive environments that recognize and address the unique experiences of underserved students. This includes culturally competent staff and curricula that reflect diverse perspectives. 

4. **Pathways to Higher Education**: Strengthening pathways from community colleges to universities can help ensure a smoother transition for students. Articulation agreements, transfer support, and mentorship programs can make a significant difference. 

My journey through the educational system has been marked by resilience and determination, but it shouldn’t have been this hard. By addressing the systemic barriers faced by underserved students, we can create an education system that truly offers equal opportunities for all. As someone who has walked this path, I am committed to advocating for the changes necessary to support every student in reaching their full potential.

Darianny Bautista

Miss Mount Vernon

Farewell by Lianna Hartshorn

New Mexico, it has been my greatest honor to represent you all this year. The Land of Enchantment, where I was born and raised, will always hold a special spot in my heart. Thank you to all the schools I visited, every event I went to, and all the memories I made. Thank you for every hug. As this door closes, know that this is just the beginning of my service to you all. 

Your forever Miss New Mexico 2023, 

-Lianna Elizabeth Hartshorn

Changing the Conversation by Meagan Bilodeau

Every nine minutes, a child under the age of 18 experiences sexual assault in the United States. I was once part of that statistic, but I firmly believe it's my life's mission to empower children and families with awareness about the prevalence of this issue. What follows isn't a tale of defeat, but rather a narrative of resilience and triumph.

At a tender age, I found myself among the 30% of children subjected to abuse by family members. At 13, during a routine trip to the store with my mom, I mustered the courage to disclose the assault I endured between ages three and six. To my dismay, it resurfaced at 13, initiated by the same perpetrator. I recall my mother pulling over, promptly contacting the child advocacy center in our county. The following day, I found myself seated in their office, sharing my story with the department head and forensic team, shielded behind a two-way mirror. It was then I encountered my guardian angel, my victim advocate, whom I view as a divine blessing. She remains my unwavering beacon of hope to this day. 

During my high school years, I endured a taxing court process that dragged on for what felt like an eternity. While my peers enjoyed the normalcy of school life, I was repeatedly yanked out of classes to attend courtroom sessions or meet with lawyers. The relentless cycle of legal proceedings cast a shadow over my teenage years.

Finally, at 16, after the trial had been escalated to the superior court, I found myself confronting my family member in court. It was a moment of reckoning, a chance to stand tall and reclaim my power. On the day of the verdict, I seized the opportunity to deliver a statement, pouring out my heart in an essay's worth of words. It was a cathartic release, a culmination of the physical and emotional turmoil I had endured throughout those challenging years in the court's grasp.

I aim to pay forward the kindness I received throughout my journey as a survivor, which led me to establish my nonprofit organization, "Changing the Conversation: One Child At A Time," in February 2022. Since its inception, I've spearheaded various fundraisers, authored a children's book, and engaged in numerous interviews, including a recent feature on the WMTW News Station in Portland, Maine. 

During my senior year of college, I obtained my peer wellness education certification, which opened doors for me to join a team of student leaders on campus. This experience not only expanded my knowledge but also provided me with valuable expertise in sexual assault advocacy, extending beyond my personal journey. I actively contributed to organizing impactful events such as Take Back The Night and The ClothesLine Project, alongside participating in smaller initiatives like Letters to Self, where I adorned campus with inspirational sticky notes ahead of midterms week.

One program that deeply resonated with me and now influences my work as a child advocate is "Wellness Wednesdays." Here, I invite titleholders from across the nation to collaborate on Instagram Live sessions, offering them a leverage to discuss their respective platforms. My overarching aim is to ensure that my audience isn't just educated on sexual assault advocacy but also on broader mental and general health topics. Through these endeavors, I strive to foster holistic wellness and empowerment within my community.

My aspirations in the advocacy realm extend far into the future. I'm currently venturing into public speaking, with a long-term aim of delivering a TEDx Talk to share my story and inspire others to find their voice. Alongside my Bachelor's degrees in English Communications and Pre-Law, I'm planning on pursuing a Master's degree in Forensic Science from Florida International University. Ultimately, I envision myself as a crime reporter in the state of Florida. 

While my career path may evolve, my passion for advocacy will remain steadfast. I'm committed to collaborating with like-minded individuals to effect meaningful change in our communities.

About Me: Hey there, Section 36! I'm Meagan Bilodeau, proudly representing as Miss Maine Volunteer and gearing up for nationals in Jackson, Tennessee, just around the corner. It's an exhilarating time for me as I'm breaking ground by showcasing martial arts on the national stage as a first-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do. 

Beyond my pageant endeavors, I lead a life as a full-time chief stewardess on a luxury yacht, navigating the scenic East Coast from the Exumas to Nova Scotia, Canada. Come join me on my adventures by following along on my social media pages: @meag_bilodeau and @missmevol. Let's connect!  

Why Equitable Higher Education Matters to Me by Ashley Wells

I’ve always really loved school. I was always a bit of a bookworm, preferring the routine of studying, research, and reading to more social endeavors. But a question that I’ve been getting asked more often is, “why are you still even in school? Aren’t you sick of it?” My honest answer is “no”, but for a very particular reason. 

My parents are immigrants from the Caribbean, and they both grew up with very little money and with little means to better themselves. My mother grew up on the farmland of Antigua (an island in the Lesser Antilles set along the English harbor). Similarly, my father often spoke to me about how he shared a bed with four of his cousins and that he lacked money for shoes while he lived on the island of St. Kitts & Nevis. However, it was my father’s educational pursuits that allowed him to come to the United States to complete his bachelor’s degree, go on to obtain his master’s degree, and lay a solid foundation for his family. My grandmother made a promise to him that she would work as hard as she needed to so that he could graduate with both his master’s and his bachelor’s degree debt free – an incredible feat for a woman with almost no formal education. But she made it work. She valued education and the future that it could bring my father so much that she worked 12 hour shifts 6 days a week for years, cleaning houses so that my father could focus on his studies. 

It is the determination of both my father and of my grandmother that is the root of why I believe that every person – regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic background – has the right to an affordable and equitable higher education experience. Today, I am a Ph.D. student at Washington State University studying American Studies and Culture. I truly believe that having the option  to go to college or trade school can be life changing, and that individuals who want to be educated should not have to go into massive amounts of debt to receive their degrees. 

While working on my master’s degree four years ago, I met my future non-profit co-founder at my institution, and we began talking about the sacrifices that we knew we'd need to make in order to eventually pay off the student loan debt that we had accumulated. Three months into the COVID-19 pandemic which shut down the world, we hatched the idea for our non-profit organization, The Prosp(a)rity Project. Our organization is dedicated to leveling the socioeconomic playing field for populations most susceptible to and impacted by predatory lending and student loan debt. We are guided by a vision of furthering our presence as a nonprofit dedicated specifically to nurturing, uplifting, and advancing members of this demographic and positioning them to pay it forward to their communities. That is why our main program – The 35*2 Free Initiative –  tackles two of the most prominent detriments to financial freedom: the student loan debt crisis and a lack of access to financial education. 

Our program provides retroactive scholarships of $10,000 to qualified college-educated women combined with a year-long program of financial literacy education and career coaching to help them move measurably toward financial freedom. With women holding 66% of the student loan debt in the United States, we recognize that women are at an increased risk for being burdened down by predatory lending (Education Data Initiative). Aside from our main program, we also host an annual conference – The 35*2 Free Conference –  where we have different speakers and workshops that cater to women and their quest for financial literacy. So far, we have educated more than 150 young women around the country through workshops and training so that they can be empowered to improve their lives and the lives of future generations.

My vision is that any student – regardless of gender, race, or socioeconomic status – who wishes to attend college and pursue their educational ambitions, will have the resources and support to thrive in their academic environment. And I firmly believe that we can get there, as long as we work together to improve these institutions from the ground up. That is why my CSI revolves around both my non-profit organization and my personal commitment to equitable higher education opportunities. I am so proud to be a part of the Miss America Opportunity, who is already championing scholarship disbursals to young women in order to make their educational dreams come true! 

Ashley Wells

Miss Eastside 2024

The Prosp(a)rity Project

Welcome Miss Wyoming Organization's New Board of Directors!

For the first time, the Miss Wyoming Organization board is made up entirely of former local and state titleholders! Having been on both sides of the crown, this gives us a unique understanding of the roles and the forward-focused perspective necessary to successfully relaunch our program.

Since taking leadership in the fall of 2023, we have made history with the youngest state Executive Director in the history of Miss America, Cheyenne Brown. We are now a board made up of dedicated members who span the entire state + even other states and have relocated our annual state competition to Laramie in order to bring fresh awareness to the program. We have also welcomed several new sponsors to the Miss Wyoming family in order to better support our titleholders through their year of service, increased scholarship awards for contestants, and established the Miss Wyoming Scholarship Fund; a separately registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization for the fulfillment of scholarships.

We have chosen to center our branding around our “Sisterhood Era,” as we celebrate and honor the legacies of the women who have shaped our program and communities in our state while simultaneously amplifying opportunities for the young women currently competing who will become our future 👑

We are immensely grateful for your support and are excited for all that is to come!
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To learn more about each of our board members, check out their bios in our Instagram highlights section!

If you are interested in volunteering or joining our board, please email misswyoming@gmail.com or visit www.misswyoming.org ✨

*It is not necessary to be a former titleholder to become a member of our board - we invite you to join us in crafting the legacy of Miss Wyoming for the decades to come!*

Lessons I've Learned by Hannah Roque

Hello Section 36!! My name is Hannah Roque, and I currently hold the title of Miss Addison County in Vermont - I’m so excited to be back with another guest blog. The Miss Vermont 2024 competition is less than two weeks away, so I’ve been doing a lot of reflecting over my 5 years of experience competing. While this is only my 4th time competing for the title of Miss Vermont, my first time competing was in 2019; If you want to read more about my competition journey, you can take a look at my guest blog series here! 

In honor of my fourth time competing, I wanted to share the four main lessons that I’ve learned while competing in the Miss America Opportunity. 

1. Stay grateful, always.

Since I started competing, I’ve been so lucky to have incredible opportunities presented to me: I’ve attended Miss America, touched hundreds of stroke survivors’ lives through publishing my book of resources, been invited to dozens of impactful events, and many many more. Sometimes it can be hard to believe that this is my life! To keep myself grounded when I feel like I’m living my dream life, I’ve learned that it’s important to be grateful for every opportunity that comes my way. Being grateful helps me stay humble and present in every moment. I frequently think about the fact that I’m living the life I dreamed of when I was younger, so I want to treasure every moment, and being grateful helps me to do that.

2. Be your own advocate and cheerleader.

It is SO exciting to compete for a state title, but it can also be an incredibly stressful process. In my first year, I had so many questions: Where should I buy my evening gown? How should I develop my CSI? How should I do my makeup for competition, and how does that differ from my makeup for events? And so many more. It was through my experience leading up to the 2019 competition that I learned that there are resources and people who are excited and willing to help you, if you ask. It can be incredibly overwhelming to start out, but if you advocate for yourself and the things you need to succeed, you will be in amazing shape! In a similar vein, while scheduling and traveling to events across Addison County this year, I’ve learned that being your own advocate is incredibly important when reaching out to community organizations and event organizers. There are many people, especially in Vermont, who don’t understand what the Miss America Opportunity is, or what being a titleholder means. When communicating with these community members and while attending the events, it’s my job to be my own advocate and share the messages of my values, my community service initiative, and the message of the Miss America Organization. In a recent mock interview, I was told that if I’m not going to toot my own horn, then who will? This is something that I’m still working on, but I try to be my own cheerleader by sharing my accomplishments, my passions, and the qualities that I have that make me a successful titleholder. 

3. Always, ALWAYS, take the leap.

I’ve talked very candidly about the fact that I’ve struggled with anxiety my whole life, especially in unknown situations. Deciding to compete was the ultimate leap, especially because I was making myself vulnerable in a way I never had before. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I am endlessly thankful that I took that first leap and decided to compete. I gained confidence and an acute sense of self that I didn’t have prior to the competition. Since then, I’ve taken many leaps in my life: moving out, making major life decisions, changing careers, just to name a few. Competing has taught me that you should always take the leap when you have the opportunity. I think about all the things that I would’ve missed if I hadn’t taken that first leap, and I have absolutely no regrets. Trust yourself, and do the thing that scares you. I promise that you won’t regret it! 

4. The girls you’re competing with are not actually your competition. 

Of course every year that you compete, you’re competing against other women who have the same dream as you. Even though that is true, I’ve learned that your biggest competition is not the other delegates, but rather yourself. It’s so easy to get caught up in what the other girls are doing, but that can only hurt you onstage. The most rewarding part of competing has been meeting women from Vermont that have become my very best friends. I can’t imagine what my life would look like without these women, and our friendships were born out of supporting each other rather than being competitive. Preparing for competition is a mind game. In order to succeed, you need to focus solely on yourself and your performance. If you are confident and secure in your performance, you will do well on stage. The Miss Vermont 2023 class was the most supportive competition class that I’ve ever been part of, and it’s because no one brought a truly competitive mindset. I’m truly thankful for that experience because it was so eye opening - it showed me that I’m the only person that I needed to worry about. I’m bringing this mindset into the 2024 competition weekend, and am so excited to show my best self onstage while also supporting my sisters backstage! 

I’ve had such a wonderful time reflecting on the lessons I’ve learned in my time in the Miss America Opportunity. Each year, I leave the competition knowing more about myself. I cannot WAIT for Miss Vermont 2024, and to see what I will learn through that process. If you want to follow me on my journey, and see all my competition weekend updates, follow me at @missaddisoncountyvt on Instagram! It’s so surreal that we’re so close!

Accessible Wellness by Alyssa Contreras

Ever wondered why access to wellness seems like a privilege rather than a basic human right?

What if I told you that achieving fitness and nutrition goals shouldn’t be reserved for the privileged few? What if there was a way to make wellness accessible to all, irrespective to economic status or prior experience? Welcome to Accessible Wellness- where we challenge the status quo and pave the way for inclusive, equitable access to physical facets of well-being. 
I’m Alyssa Contreras, the founder behind the initiative Accessible Wellness. With the mental and physical costs that accompany financial constraints, living a healthy lifestyle is not easy.

Accessible Wellness strives to break down these barriers and collaborate with local fitness and nutrition companies to host free events and classes for underserved communities. By offering free resources, classes, and education about the benefits of physical fitness and proper nutrition, I hope, through Accessible Wellness, to empower people to take charge of their well-being and lead healthier lives. 

My journey began with a realization of the familiar barriers preventing many individuals from embarking on a path to better health. Drawing upon my education and expertise in exercise science, coupled with my certifications as an Exercise Specialist and Yoga Instructor, I leveraged my knowledge to design inclusive and empowering wellness programs. By offering free resources, individuals from all backgrounds can access valuable information on exercise, nutrition, and overall well-being. From an early age, I have always been drawn to the transformative power of fitness. I looked up to people who I thought were the epitome of healthy. It led me down an obsessive path where I ended up with an eating disorder in my pre-teen years and through high school. I got all my information based off of internet advertisements like, “Get a Flat Tummy in 3 Days!” I blissfully ignored the symptoms of tiredness, and weakness. It was a struggle to get through and recover from. 

Fortunately, I have since been over two years recovered and have grown a healthier relationship with all aspects of fitness and wellness. Though, through this experience, I have been motivated to use my education for good and focus on spreading correct information, free resources, and love to everyone struggling with their path to a healthier lifestyle. 

I have been fortunate enough to be a part of the Miss Ohio class of 2024 as Miss Greater Columbus. My title provides me with a unique platform to promote Accessible Wellness and inspire others to prioritize their health. 

-Alyssa Contreras