The Road to Miss Massachusetts – Summer Foley, Miss Brookline
"The Road to Miss Massachusetts," continues with our next contestant, Summer Foley, who is the current Miss Brookline. Continue reading to learn more about Summer, her road to the crown, and what she thinks about the current Miss Massachusetts, Alissa Musto!
Please share with our readers your platform along with a brief description of what it is.
I’m Summer Foley, Miss Brookline and my platform is Drug Abuse Prevention and Awareness.
How long have you competed in pageants? How do you think you’ve personally grown with all your prior pageant experience?
I’ve competed for two years now with the Miss American Organization. I’ve grown tremendously from competing. Preparing for interview has kept me aware of everything going on politically and socially in the world, preparing for swimsuit reminds me of the importance of a healthy lifestyle and, talent and evening gown give me an opportunity to employ the performance skills I’ve gained from my conservatory training. I’ve also learned a lot about myself in respect to what I can or cannot handle and what I’m truly passionate about through my platform and community service.
In regards to your platform, why did you choose to go with this particular one?
My platform is Drug Abuse Prevention and Awareness and in a way, I feel the subject matter of my platform chose me. I’ve watched my older sister fight her addiction for most of my life and I was compelled at a very young age to do what I could to make a difference. Both Massachusetts and Florida, the states where I was raised and now live, have declared a State of Emergency for opioid abuse and it is a more prevalent problem than we, as a society, would like to face.
How has working alongside your platform made you into a stronger person?
My platform is extremely personal, however I’m thankful for that. I’ve volunteered at various organizations that point children and those who have been in Juvenile Detention Centers in the right direction, and each time I go, I get to share my story, but also to hear someone else’s. Addiction and drugs do not discriminate, and it is alarming how prevalent it is among individuals in each community. I’ve grown to know that as trying as addiction may be, there can and will be a positive outcome. Recovery and sobriety are to be celebrated and learning and involving myself more into my platform has helped me maintain a very healthy and happy lifestyle.
What have you learned from your current Miss Massachusetts Alissa Musto, which you hope to carry with you if you were to win the title of Miss Massachusetts?
Alissa is someone that will always answer a question, and I know I’ve had plenty for her. Something she’s taught me by example is her professionalism at all times. Her preparedness and demeanor are not only wonderful to be around, but a great example of what it is to be a strong representative and performer. I hope to be chosen as Miss Massachusetts for a variety of reasons, but mostly because I’m ready and prepared to represent Massachusetts at Miss America.
As a titleholder, what is one of the single-most important messages, which you think you convey to your followers?
I try to embody “..The best way to predict the future is to create it”. I don’t know the outcome of the majority of competitions I compete in or choices I make, but what I do know is that if I work hard enough, my hard work will pay off in some way, whether its a crown or something I gain on my own.
If you were to win the title of Miss Massachusetts, what is the one thing which you would strive the hardest to accomplish?
My goal, next to winning the state pageant, is to be the first Miss Massachusetts to bring home the Miss America crown to the state. With Massachusetts being the best state in the nation, it’s only right we celebrate it with another national championship (of pageantry that is). My platform, Drug Abuse Prevention and Awareness, however is more relevant than ever in Massachusetts, so I would want to make many school visits and promote the importance of character education and strong decision making.
Imagine you’re competing for Miss America, and your roommate has never visited Massachusetts; how would you describe your state to your roommate?
Massachusetts has everything you can imagine! We have a national championship football team, the best seafood and clam chowder, major cities, beautiful beaches, four seasons, various cultures and the highest ranked universities in the country. Anyone who lives there will tell you it’s the best, and I can attest for that!
If you could place three items in a time capsule, which represent the women of today, what would they be and why?
That’s a great question. I would first put a pantsuit, folded nicely of course, to symbolize the first woman nominated by a major party to run for the office of the President of the United States. Next, I would throw in a gold medal symbolizing and celebrating the amazing strides our female athletes have made at the Olympics and worldwide competitions. Finally, I would throw in a strand of purple ribbon representing peace. Within the past 20 years, 10 women have represented peace around the world. Women have risked it all for equal rights and that is something to be remembered.
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?
Student debt is one of the largest issues in our country right now, and I’m happy to say that thanks to the Miss America Organization, I will have little to none. Debt is something that I did not want to see in my future and I’m so thankful that through competing, I receive assistance with my education as well. Pageants are uplifting, and although they are competitions, they are some of the most fun and supportive environments. Pageants are a chance to test yourself, reward yourself and celebrate other hardworking, young women.
The name of this magazine is Bravura. “Bravura” is an artistic word for exceptional; in your opinion, what makes you “bravura”?
Something I feel is “Bravura” about me is my lack of judgement or prejudice towards others. I have faced a lot of adversity in my life and it has shaped me into a truly empathetic person. My work ethic however has gotten me to places I never thought I would be, so that makes me “Bravura” in some ways.
Where can fans follow you on social media?
Instagram: http://yooying.com/summer.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/
Personal website: https://summer-foley.
What advice do you have for those who want to take part in pageants?
Just do it! Make sure your platform is something that truly means something to you because it is extremely rewarding. Also, HAVE FUN! You get to wear a ball gown, perform and make friends. The experience is what you make it.
What words of thanks do you have for those who have helped to bring you to where you are today – a member of the Miss Massachusetts Class of 2017?
I’m forever grateful for my mother’s guidance and my family’s constant support. I have to thank Rocky Graziano, Christine Morse and the rest of the Miss Boston board for taking me in as one of their own and preparing me for every appearance, speaking engagement and event. I also have to thank Loretta Neff and the Elegant Way Foundation for allowing me to be a national ambassador and promote character education alongside my platform. Other thanks go out to all of my voice teachers, Meagan Foley, Craig Foley, La Voyce Porter and Brenda Burnette- it really does take a village.
What final words, if any, do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
You’ve chosen a great magazine to keep up with and I hope you enjoy all of our stories!
