Overcoming the Interview

By Avery Manthe

For many competitors, the interview is the most dreaded portion of the competition. It’s the one portion you can’t script or plan second by second. You can’t predict every question or gauge how the judges reacted to each one of your answers. But, there is one thing you can control: your mindset. 

As simple — even cheesy — as it sounds, confidence is key. Going into the interview with self-assurance is what allows you to proudly and authentically represent who you are. Winning my local interview portion, especially in my very first year of competing, was an incredibly rewarding moment. I’d hope to carry that strength and momentum with me on to the state level. 

Still, I wasn’t immune to nerves. It was my first time competing within the Miss America Organization, and I was sharing the stage with women who had been pursuing the title of Miss Wisconsin for over a decade. Comparison crept in, and doubt tried to settle. 

The night before interviews, something shifted. A few fellow titleholders and I were talking about our nerves, and I suddenly became the group’s unofficial hype woman. I found it so easy to encourage them — tossing out lines of solace like, “You’ve got this!” and “You’re going to do amazing!” And then, almost without thinking, I said something that stuck with me: 

“You can’t get a question about yourself or your opinion wrong. You know yourself better than anyone else in this competition.” 

It was meant to comfort them, but in saying it out loud, it made perfect sense. Earlier I had joked that my favorite topic was myself — which might sound self-centered, but really, it’s just the truth: I know everything there is to know about that topic, because I am me. So when I listened to my half-serious comfort remarks, I found the truth in them. 

When I had my interview that next morning, I reminded myself of my own words: “You know yourself better than anyone else here.” Even though I was surrounded by incredible women with years of experience, I decided to focus on what made me, uniquely me. 

I didn’t walk away with the title of Miss Wisconsin — but I did walk away with the Non-finalist Interview Award, tied for the Overall Interview Award with the new Miss Wisconsin herself, and was voted Heart of Miss Wisconsin by my fellow titleholders. That last one meant the world to me — because while the judges saw my voice and authenticity, the inspiring women beside me saw my heart. I had fulfilled my goals I had set for myself and even more. 

What I’ve learned is this: the interview isn’t about being the smartest person in the room or having a perfect answer to every question. It’s about owning who you are and what you know. When you lead with confidence and speak your truth, you leave an impact — crown or not.

A few interview reminders I live by: 

● You are the only person who knows everything about you. 
● It's okay to take a breath. A pause shows confidence — better than filling space with “um” or rambling just to avoid silence. 
● Judges don’t want a rehearsed version of you; they want the authentic you. 

● Be kind to yourself. Self doubt is human, but it doesn’t wear the crown. 

So if you’re reading this in preparation for your first interview — or fifth — just remember: you don’t need to be anyone else beside yourself to impress the judges. Your voice, your story, your truth are enough. You have got this. 

I hope you didn't expect anything but cheesy advice from a local Wisconsin title holder.

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Avery Manthe is the current Miss Wausau Area (WI). You can follow her on her Instagram. 

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.

Competing With a Chronic Illness

By Etta Tidd

Miss America is for every single young woman who wants to participate. Having a chronic illness shouldn't stop you from following your passions, but it can make it harder. I have competed in the Miss Wisconsin’s Teen Organization for the past four years with a Congenital Heart Defect. While I don't have a step-by-step guide for how to compete with a chronic illness, I have tips that helped me!

1. Advocate - It is important to contact the directors of the program (At the local, state, or national level) well in advance. Whether through email, in conversation, or over the phone; find a way to lay out all the details about your accommodations, and warning signs for if something were to go wrong. Being able to advocate for yourself to the directors helps ensure you will receive your accommodations, but also allows the directors to give all the competition volunteers the right information. Try to not stress about this because truly everyone is there to help you, and wants to see you succeed!

2. Supports- Keep your support people/emergency contacts close. Whenever I am competing I ask my mom to stay somewhat in the area on the day of the competition just in case anything bad happens. Even though sometimes the chances of a health emergency are low, it's important to plan for the worst in this situation because it can ease anxiety. 

3. Sleep and Eat Healthy- During competition week it is important to get sleep and eat heathy as much as possible! I know firsthand that it can be super difficult to get adequate sleep during that week when nerves are running high and time is running low. Sometimes even putting in Airpods, playing comforting music, wrapping yourself up in a blanket, and using a stuffed animal as a pillow can make you feel even a bit better. Whether it is ten minutes or three, that little bit can get you out of your head and give your body a minute to regenerate. 

4. Prepare For Questions- Be prepared to get asked about your chronic illness in Private Interview (if it is on your paperwork). I can think of millions of times that I was asked about my Heart Condition in an interview, sometimes kindly other times not. If you are asked about your illness with a harsh tone, remember that it can come from a lack of understanding and not meant to come off as rude. Be prepared to talk about the accommodations you would put in place for yourself, and that you are still “capable” of doing the job of a titleholder despite a chronic illness.

5. Schedule- If you have the opportunity to become a titleholder within the Miss America Opportunity, it is very important to schedule appearances wisely. For women without a Chronic illness it might be possible to schedule three appearances in one day for themselves but often it may not be for you. I reduce additional exhaustion and sickness by being realistic with my schedule, if there are three appearances I want to do in the same day I pick the person who asked me first, or one that most aligns with my mission (If I was not asked). It can be upsetting to not be able to attend everything under the sun unlike most titleholders, but unfortunately there is not a fix to that. I always remind myself that I would rather be fully present and active for one appearance, rather than not representing my mission, and the brand of Miss America correctly for three

With this, remind yourself of the strengths that a chronic illness brings to you, like being able to give you a story. Miss America represents ALL different types of women, especially those with different issues. You get a space to represent people who are often under represented in the media and pageantry. Think of how it might have felt to grow up without correct representation for your chronic disease, now you have the opportunity to be that representation for children and adults alike.

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Etta Tidd is the currrent Miss Pike Creek's Teen (WI). You can find her on Instagram at her title's account, and her personal account.

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.