As we come weeks closer to the Miss New York pageant, we continue to share with you intimate interviews with the contestants vying for the title of Miss New York 2017. The next contestant to be featured as part of our series, “The Road to Miss New York,” is Lauren Molella, who is the current Miss Copper City! Continue reading to learn more about Lauren, her journey to the crown, and why she chose to be a part of the Miss America Organization!

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Please share with our readers your title & platform.
My title is Miss Copper City and my platform is Voices of Honor: Salute and Support Our Military.

How long have you competed in pageants? How do you think you’ve personally grown with all your prior pageant experience?
I started competing as a junior in high school where I went on to win Miss New York’s Outstanding Teen 2011. Being a teen title holder gave me a huge number of women to look up to. It put me down a road to be as well rounded, confident, and competent as the women I found myself surrounded by. Moreover, not only did it provide a path to help me find my passions but it also helped me develop my voice and grow up to become as involved in the world as I am today.

In regards to your platform, why did you choose to go with this particular one?
As a teen my platform was No Texting and Driving and I had the chance to work and promote it throughout the state ending with New York passing a law against texting while driving. Searching for another platform became a no-brainer for me when I worked with wounded soldiers and met with so many veterans and active duty military as both a titleholder and an individual.

How has working alongside your platform made you into a stronger person?
Working with such courageous men and women really helped me cement my beliefs on what it truly important. They are so selfless and the perseverance they show is inspiring.

What have you learned from your current Miss New York, Camille, which you hope to carry with you if you were to win the title of Miss New York?
I think one thing our current Miss New York, Camille, does so well is really listen to those who she speaks with. It shows a level of composure and graciousness that is very difficult to find among the younger generations.

As a title-holder, what is one of the single-most important messages, which you think you convey to your followers?
Besides the messages of CMN and my platform, I really hope to convey just want this organization has to offer young women. It has given me so much and one of my greatest wishes is to see if grow and have the chance to impact so many other women and girls.

If you were to win the title of Miss New York, what is the one thing which you would strive the hardest to accomplish?
As Miss New York or not I will always continue to strive what what I believe in; which includes both my platform and my confidence in this organization.

Imagine you’re competing for Miss America, and your roommate has never visited New York; how would you describe your state to your roommate?
I would describe New York as a state that has everything. We have cities, mountains, and fields all filled with people who continue to push forward to being a state of political pioneers, tolerance, and innovation in all aspects.

If you could place three items in a time capsule, which represent the women of today, what would they be and why?
I would place a job application, a fashion magazine, and a heart. To me the application represents how far women have come in the fight for equality, the magazine represents how the world still chooses to focus primarily on external beauty instead of internal beauty, and the heart stands for freedom to be passionate about everything whether it be men, women, sports, art, politics, education, etc. I believe these help to embody women of today and when looked at in years to come will show not only how far we have come from the past but also just how far was left to go.

Because of media, many people tend to look at pageant with a very scrutinizing opinion; For you. personally, what have been some of the biggest benefits of being a part of the Miss America Organization. And how would you share the positive nature of pageants with others who may not be familiar?
This pageant organizations really did change my journey. As a teen I won 69 thousand dollars of college scholarships and today hold 4 college degrees. It gave me the opportunity to push my educational limits but also gave me the confidence and skills to succeed in other aspects as well. The interview and public speaking skills I developed through the crown have served me extremely well in my personal endeavors and y volunteer work. In addition, all the charity and volunteer work as brought the most incredible individuals into my life. I advocate for pageants because of the astounding support system, role models, and values they can give to women who let them.

“Bravura” is an artistic word for exceptional; in your opinion, what makes you “bravura”?
I am not sure I am exceptional, but I do know that I strive to be exceptional. I fight against my weaknesses and give my all to everything I am involved with. I am a firm believer that no one is as exceptional as they can be and so I am determined to learn from my mistakes and value my triumphs always.

Where can fans follow you on social media?
My links are: Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter |

What advice do you have for those who want to take part in pageants?
My advice would be to stay grounded and true to who you are inside. Competitions in general have a tendency to bring the worst out in people, especially ones a week long. If you can rise above this however, it can be a blast of excitement, fun, and personal growth you will be hard pressed to find elsewhere.

What words of thanks do you have for those who have helped to bring you to where you are today in the Miss New York Class of 2017?
I am not quite sure the English language has words big enough to express my thanks. The backbone of my year has been those behind me and I hope they all know that they were invisible crowns 1000X bigger than mine.

What final words do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
My final words are of support. I hope that you continue on to read the stories of the 30 other girls competing for this title. Each and every one of them is unique, qualified, and determined to make change, impact the world, and be confident, stylish, and educated while doing it. So follow us on our journeys and share our messages so that we have the chance to offer to other young women what has been offered to us.