From First Crown to a Powerful Cause: My Journey to Miss Texas Teen and the Mission Behind My Platform

By Sophia-Rose Centurioni

My name is Sophia-Rose Centurioni, and I am honored to say that I’ve officially won my first-ever pageant title! This victory is not only a personal milestone, but also the beginning of a larger mission using my voice and my story to create positive change. With the crown comes the opportunity to compete for Miss Texas Teen, and even more importantly, to amplify a message I am incredibly passionate about: empowering survivors and preventing sexual assault through my Community Service Initiative (CSI) — R.I.S.E. 

My passion for this cause comes from my own experience. At 16, I was sexually assaulted. In the aftermath, I was overwhelmed by fear, shame, and confusion, struggling to understand what had happened and unsure if I would ever feel whole again. For a long time, I felt isolated and silenced. But as I began to heal, I realized my story could have power not just for me, but for others who felt just like I did. 

That’s how R.I.S.E. was born a platform dedicated to helping young people recognize their right to safety and boundaries, while also providing support and hope to survivors.R.I.S.E. stands for (Resilience, Inspiration, Support, and Empowerment), four pillars that shaped my own healing journey and now form the foundation of my advocacy work. 

As a pageant titleholder, I have a powerful platform to spread this message across my community and beyond. Through R.I.S.E., I’m committed to teaching teens and young adults how to set boundaries, recognize unhealthy relationship behaviors, and stay safe especially in a world where social media makes it easier than ever for predators to find and manipulate vulnerable young people. I plan to visit schools, youth organizations, and community centers to share safety tips, boundary-setting tools, and digital safety education. I’m also working to form partnerships with advocacy organizations and self-defense programs to bring life-saving knowledge and skills to more young people. 

But my work isn’t just about prevention, it’s about healing too. Far too many survivors feel like their experiences define them, or that they are somehow to blame. Through my personal story, I want to show that survivors are never responsible for their trauma and that healing, while difficult, is possible. Whether it’s through mentorship, community outreach, or even creative outlets like dance and artistic expression, I want every survivor to know they are not alone and that they have the strength to rise. 

Winning my first pageant is an incredible honor, but the real victory is turning my pain into purpose. As I prepare for Miss Texas Teen, I’m ready to stand strong, speak out, and help others do the same. Together, we can create a world where every teen knows their worth and every survivor has the strength to R.I.S.E. As well if you are struggling with anything related to sexual assault my Instagram DMs are always open, or you can call the 24/7 sexual assault hotline 1-800-886-7273.

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Sophia-Rose Centurioni is the current Miss Highland Park's Teen (TX). You can find her on her title's Instagram and website.

This is her first blog for Section 36 Forevers.

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!  

My Story - A Vlog From Grace Branam

In keeping with her CSI, 1 IN 4, Miss Hoosier Valley's Teen Grace Branam shares her story in this video. I hope you'll watch it, and consider helping her help others take the first step following a sexual assault.

Check out her CSI's Instagram page here:  1 IN 4

And visit her CSI's website here: 1 IN 4

And thanks to Grace for creating this video. I'm honored she allowed me to share her story.