We continue our series, “The Road to Miss Connecticut,” with the next contestant, Gina Salvatore, who is the current Miss Bristol 2017. Continue reading to learn more about Gina and her journey to the crown!

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Miss Bristol 2017, Heart to Heart: Supporting Military Families and Veterans

How long have you competed in pageants? How do you think you’ve personally grown with all your prior pageant experience?
In 2012 I sat at a diner with two pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage and chocolate milk when my phone rang. A high school friend was on the other end asking if I wanted to compete in a pageant that night. Competing in a pageant was one of the secret items on my bucket list. Sure enough, the word “yes” came out of my mouth. Not knowing anything about the Miss America Organization, I placed 2nd Runner Up in that pageant. After learning how the Miss America Organization focuses on serving the community and the countless opportunities to earn scholarship money I decided to continue to compete and here I am almost six years later! The Miss America Organization gave me an outlet to cultivate my passion for volunteering, opened the door to increased opportunities to give a voice to our veterans by promoting my platform and working with the Fisher House Organization to enrich the lives of our veterans and their families.

In regards to your platform, why did you choose to go with this particular one?
My late grandfather, father and brother are all veterans and they are the true inspiration behind my platform. There is a saying that “when one family member serves, the whole family serves” and that could not be more true. When my brother was deployed it was a family effort sending care packages and communicating with my brother and his unit. From that experience I had a desire to help others who are in the same situation and make their deployment time the best it can be. I have also teamed up with the Fisher House Organization which is an organization that builds homes on the campus of veteran medical centers and provides a home for military and veteran families to stay while their loved one is receiving treatment. Having the opportunity to be involved in an organization dedicated to improving the lives of our veterans is a blessing. And fundraising for the house being built here in CT has been fun, too! I was able to run the Army Ten Miler with Team Fisher House as part of our fundraising efforts this past October!

How has working alongside your platform made you into a stronger person?
Having lived my platform and continuing my work has truly made me a stronger person. Many times we are faced with adversity and we find it challenging to overcome- I am able to look at our nation’s strong, fearless veterans and know that if they can overcome the challenges of war that I am able to overcome any small thing that comes my way.

What have you learned from your current Miss Connecticut, which you hope to carry with you if you were to win the title of Miss Connecticut?
Alyssa is FEARLESS! She is a go-getter with a sincere heart and always puts her best foot forward when she is going after her dreams. I hope that as Miss Connecticut I can be fearless in pursuit of my dreams as well.

As a title-holder, what is one of the single-most important message, which you think you convey to your followers?
BE YOURSELF. I cannot stress enough how important it is to stay true to who you are and surround yourself with people who make you the best version of you. Be yourself, be authentic, and never apologize for who you are.

If you were to win the title of Miss Connecticut, what is the one thing which you would strive the hardest to accomplish?
I have greatly admired how much money other states raise for their state Children’s Miracle Network Hospital and as Miss Connecticut one of my top goals is to be in the top 3 for fundraising for CMNH. With Connecticut Children’s Medical Center so close to many of our hearts and having our advocacy as one of the foundations of this program I think it is important to go above and beyond for those who need it most.

Imagine you’re competing for Miss America, and your roommate has never visited Connecticut; how would you describe your state to your roommate?
As a UConn graduate and fan I’m sure the first thing out of my mouth would be “Basketball Capitol of the World”! Connecticut is home to landmarks like the Mark Twain House, Mystic Seaport (and Mystic Pizza!) the Pez factory, and ESPN. Here in Connecticut we get the best of the best in enjoying all four seasons from our color changing leaves in the fall, to our beaches along the shoreline in the summer, and everything in between!

If you could place three items in a time capsule, which represent the women of today, what would they be and why?

1. A UConn Women’s Basketball jersey to represent how far women have come in athletics having won over 100 consecutive games and beating all other records
2. A copy of The Happiness Project by Gretchen Wilson- no matter where you are in life you can create your own happiness and as strong women we deserve to have our happiness 100% of the time
3. A fierce shade of red lipstick. “Give a woman the right lipstick and she can conquer the world”- it is so true! If I am ever feeling down or not confident in myself I throw on some lipstick, hold my head high and tackle the day. As women we can conquer anything and a little lipstick can help us get there!

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?
Pageants are not about a dress or how pretty you are- this organization is about cultivating an environment where women can excel in the classroom and the community- and in my case the Miss America Organization is paying for HALF of my Masters in Business Administration! How incredible is that!?

“Bravura” is an artistic word for exceptional; in your opinion, what makes you “bravura”?
My personality! As I have gotten older I’ve embraced how funny I am (or at least how funny I think I am) and how adaptable I am to any situation and I that is what makes me Bravura!

Where can fans follow you on social media?
Twitter – Facebook – Instagram.

What advice do you have for those who want to take part in pageants?
Be confident in yourself that you can do anything and always stay true to who you are!

What words of thanks do you have for those who have helped to bring you to where you are today in the Miss Connecticut Class of 2017?
To those who helped me join the Miss Connecticut Class of 2017, it has been a wild journey to get to this point and six years in the making! Thank you for your unwavering support and always believing in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. This final journey is for you!

What final words do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
If you haven’t heard of the Fisher House Organization please take a moment to check out their website! This is an organization close to my heart and I am so thrilled that Connecticut just broke ground for a Fisher House on the campus of the West Haven Veterans Hospital and will be finished next year! This house will be able to serve veterans and their families and make the time spent away from home and in the care of medical professionals much easier, affordable, and accessible for many of our nation’s veterans. I am honored to work with an organizations that makes veterans and their families a priority! Check them out here.