As “The Road to Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen 2018” continues, we share with you the next contestant, Meghan Kalbaugh. Meghan is one who is very close to CMN Hospitals and their mission, as she was treated at two different locations in Massachusetts. She has dedicated her time to service and ready to take the MAOTeen MA stage by storm! Continue reading to learn more about Meghan and her journey to the crown!

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For those who may not be familiar with you, tell our readers a bit about yourself and your background within the pageant world.
My name is Meghan Kalbaugh, I am 16 years old. I won the first pageant I ever entered last year and was crowned the Miss Western Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen 2017.  I went on over 65 appearances and competed in the Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen 2017 scholarship pageant.  I was awarded the People’s Choice scholarship, a Community Service Scholarship and was the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals “Miracle Maker” fundraising award recipient.  I actually raised the most money for CMNH in the history of that pageant.  As I was very ill as a newborn through early childhood, and treated at two different Massachusetts Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, CMNH is important to me and to my family, and raising funds and creating awareness for CMNH is just one more reason that I chose to compete within this amazing pageant system.

The four points of the Miss America crown represent: service, scholarship, style, and success. Which one is the most important to you and why?
I would have to say that service is the most important to me. I am a member of the National Honor Society, I like to look stylish and put together and try to be successful in all I do.  However, I have been volunteering since age 5, and my personal platform is service based.


During Carly Fisher’s reign, what is one characteristic you’ve seen her bring forth as Miss Massachusetts’s Outstanding Teen, and which do you hope to emulate if you were to win the title?
Carly Fisher has many amazing qualities as a state title holder, so it is difficult to pick just one.  At Miss America’s Outstanding Teen she fundraised over $20,000 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, and was the National Miracle Maker.  She brought together an entire state to help raise funds for such a worthy cause. CMNH is important I hope to emulate this throughout my time with the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen program.

What have you learned from our current Miss Massachusetts Jillian Zucco, that can help you be a better outstanding teen?
Jillian Zucco competed with the Miss Massachusetts Scholarship organization for 5 years before she was crowned Miss Massachusetts. She did this while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in nursing, which is a very difficult major. Jillian Zucco has taught me one of life most valuable lessons, which is to never give up on your dreams.  This is something I hope to share with other teens throughout my journey.

Please share with our readers your platform and why you’ve chosen to advocate for it.
My personal platform is “Encouraging Volunteerism in Youth”.  I have been volunteering and fundraising for most of my life.  Since, I have received personal satisfaction, learned to interact with people of all ages, and gained valuable skills that can be utilized in future employment all while volunteering, I would like other young people to have these same opportunities.  As they have the potential to make the world a better place through volunteerism, I would like to help encourage them to find opportunities to use their own skills and talents to do that.


If you were to win the title of Miss Massachusetts Outstanding Teen, how do you hope to better educate your generation about your platform and the importance it holds?
As the Miss Western Massachusetts Outstanding Teen 2017, I spoke at several events, including the local Boys and Girls Club about volunteerism.  At one event, the 5 to 8 year olds were too young to volunteer at the local nursing home, so we made Valentine’s Day cards for the older adults at that nursing home which I personally delivered.  I also utilized Facebook to spread my personal platform and encourage volunteerism.  I use the hashtag #GiveBack when posting opportunities for individuals to volunteer at, or when demonstrating alternatives for those who are too young to participate in their ideal volunteerism role.  For example, those too young to volunteer at an animal shelter can make a huge impact by hosting a pet food drive and donating it to the shelter.  I will continue to speak to youth and utilize social media to spread the message of volunteerism if I am crowned the Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen.

Tell us about your talent and the decisions you made in proceeding with this talent.
I have been dancing for 11 years.  As dance brings me much joy and is a huge part of my life, it was easy for me to choose dance for my talent.

Having been in pageants and after winning a local title, what advice do you have for those who want to start competing in the MAO system?
I would encourage all young ladies to just “Be yourself”. Don’t compare yourself to other contestants or try to emulate other titleholders.  We are all unique and being the best version of you is what this is all about.


Because of the way media and certain television networks have portrayed the lifestyle of pageantry, there is a preconceived notion of what a pageant girl is like. How do you think that being a part of the Miss America Organization you are able to break that barrier?
After having spent more than a year with this organization, I have met many different contestants from different backgrounds and educational levels.  They are all intelligent, well-spoken and beautiful inside and out.  But they are all different.  I have learned that there is no “cookie cutter” contestant.  Perfection is not what this organization is about.  I personally have scoliosis and will never have a perfect body, but have spent a year representing this organization; therefore I can help change some of the false stereotypes about perfectionism. Miss America and Miss America’s Outstanding Teen promote a healthy lifestyle not a perfect body.

Regardless of who wins the title of Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen, what is one goal which you have for them, which you hope they will accomplish during their reign?
I hope they will inspire others to become more involved in their own communities. This is a difficult time in our world, and bringing people together for common causes will help create unity.

Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. Tell our readers what make you “bravura.”
I currently attend high school and take almost all honors level courses.  During my year as the Miss Western Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen, not only did I keep my grades up, I was inducted into National Honor Society. I also dance 3 to 7 days a week, depending on the competition schedule. Since my time as the Miss Western Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen has ended, I have continued to volunteer at every possible opportunity.  I have also been an advocate for teens with scoliosis.

Where can fans follow you on social media?
My Instagram is Meghan_Kalbaugh or you can find me on Facebook @ Meghan Kalbaugh.

Do you have any final words for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
Find a cause that is important to you and there will be a way to help.  Whether it is at an event one day a year, or volunteer hours, several days a week, there is always a way to make a difference.