The Road to Miss Massachusetts continues with our the next contestant Chelsea Vuong, who is the current Miss Middlesex County. Continue reading to learn more about Chelsea and her journey to the crown!

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Please share with our readers your title & platform.

My name is Chelsea Vuong, Miss Middlesex County 2017. Through my increased participation working with children over the past few years, I have developed a love for youth empowerment. My passion for service that I will be advocating for this year is empowering youth to succeed through mentorship.

How long have you competed in pageants? How do you think you’ve personally grown with all your prior pageant experience?
My start in pageantry came when I was 12 year old. My mom signed me up for a pageant and surprised me of my participation in it a week before the pageant. The goal of the first pageant was to get me out of my comfort zone, as she felt that my constant fear and inability of speaking in public would become a hindrance to my future success and endeavors. Through pageants, I can confidently say that I have overcome that fear, as well as develop a passion for public speaking. Pageant have also helped open up my world, taking me places and creating opportunities that I previously have not known.

In regards to your platform, why did you choose to go with this particular one?
There are a good deal of causes that could be considered equally important to the development of America. For me, youth is what moves me the most. With the values of education and leadership instilled in me from a young age, growing up, I saw the gap between lower income students and middle to higher income students in the context of reaching for a higher education and taking on leadership roles in school. Reflecting back, I have noticed the impact college and leadership positions have taken in shaping me into a person who wants make a lasting impact in America. By supporting and providing guidance to lower income students, my goal is to empower them to help optimize a positive impact to society.

How has working alongside your platform made you into a stronger person?
Children are the epitome of never-ending happiness. The energy and smiles that light up from children have made me a stronger not just as an individual, but also as a student. The way children carry themselves with fun and charisma has rubbed off on me. When times get tough, I picture the children’s faces and it immediately lightens up my mood. Additionally, balancing working with my platform, extracurricular activities, and school has helped me as a student with time management and efficiency.

What have you learned from your current Miss Massachusetts, which you hope to carry with you if you were to win the title of Miss Massachusetts?
Alissa Musto has taught me the definition of beauty and brains, as well as the balance of humor and grace. She is not only beautiful inside and out, but also shows how a woman with beauty can also exceed in a high academic setting like Harvard University. As well as knowing how to look the part, she presents her own quirky personality wonderfully with the crown on. These qualities definitely help in addressing her as a well-rounded titleholder.

As a title-holder, what is one of the single-most important messages, which you think you convey to your followers?
“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying ‘I don’t want to” – Lao- Tzu. This message is one of the greatest sayings that I stand by. Many of my friends emphasize the amount of activities and workload that I take upon. Even though I do agree with them that I take on a lot, I want to be a living example and show others that you can balance everything by making certain sacrifices and maximizing the 24 hours in a day.

If you were to win the title of Miss Massachusetts, what is the one thing which you would strive the hardest to accomplish?
As Miss Massachusetts, I would strive to create more connections with businesses to help the Miss Massachusetts Organization with additional state sponsorship.

Imagine you’re competing for Miss America, and your roommate has never visited Massachusetts; how would you describe your state to your roommate?
Massachusetts is a state of inspiration and motivation. There are enormous amounts of country history here that is reflected by the flourishing display of paintings and symbolic items in museums. Additionally, the people in Massachusetts are extremely driven. The vast amounts of colleges, startups, and public transportation show the multitude of individuals working and striving for success.

If you could place three items in a time capsule, which represent the women of today, what would they be and why?
I would put a pantsuit in the time capsule because there are more women of today in the workforce, especially in politics and the business industry. Another item I would put is a gavel. Women of today are speaking up because we not only are demanding equal rights, but we also believe that we deserve a spot at the table making big decisions. The last item I would put is a diploma because more and more women of today are being educated and are educated.

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?
The Miss America Organization shapes young women to become present-day role models. The areas of competition are building blocks in helping an individual become more well-rounded. Through pageants, I have become much more informed with world news and formulating my opinions on controversial issues. In addition, the long lasting friendships and memories that are formed by preparing for a pageant together or going through competition week are life experiences that create positivity within the pageant world. My advice is to give pageants a try. It is easier to actively experience something first-hand than passively try to understand it through words!

“Bravura” is an artistic word for exceptional; in your opinion, what makes you “bravura”?
I think with the new decade comprised of efficiency, innovation, and technology, a lot of us (including myself up until last week when I did some soul searching) believe that being “bravura,” or exceptional, means that you have to do something big that impacts the world. However, I think what makes me “bravura” is that I am very old-fashioned. I think it it truly the little things that count. For example, making a phone call to check up on loved ones, remembering little details about someone, walking someone back when it is dark outside, or even giving the last cookie to your sister instead of eating it for yourself are actions that show an exceptional individual.

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

What advice do you have for those who want to take part in pageants?
My advice is to go into the pageant with an open mindset. Remember that pageants are not for everyone, just like sports or art are not for everyone. Also, prepare, prepare, prepare! It will make the experience much more enjoyable!

What words of thanks do you have for those who have helped to bring you to where you are today in the Miss Massachusetts Class of 2017?
I have so many words of thanks to people who have helped me get to the place that I am today. First, I would like to thank everyone from Solano County Pageants for helping me develop my confidence and getting me started on this 7 years (and counting) pageant journey. Additionally, my past directors and coaches who have helped refine and reinforce my communication, walking, and talent skills are another round of thanks that I have. Last, but not least, my supportive parents who have been nothing but the best pageant parents anyone can ask for have been the most impactful people in my life. I can always count on them to be the first ones checking up on me, and the last ones helping me with preparations during my pageant journeys. Thank you for your unconditional love and constant support!

What final words do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
In the words of an exceptional interview coach, “be water my friends.”