For those who may not be familiar with you, tell our readers a bit about yourself and your background within the pageant world.
Hello everyone! I am Avia Weber, Miss MidState’s Outstanding Teen 2018, and I’m 13 years old. I am an eighth grader at Saucon Valley Middle School. This is my second local title with the Miss America Organization, and I am humbled to be in it. I have been going to the Miss America and Miss America’s Outstanding Teen pageants for a long time. In Orlando, I have had the opportunity to participate in the ​Teens in Training Camp ​and the ​Princess Camp as well. I was drawn into the midst of pageantry through my aunt who is a part of the Miss Oklahoma organization, and I am so thankful for her guidance! Through this organization, I have had the opportunity to spread awareness about adoption and diversity. Also, I have met so many people who I will never forget.

The four points of the Miss America crown represent: service, scholarship, style, and success. Which one is the most important to you and why?
The most important point to me scholarship because it is the point that represents this organization as a whole. The scholarships given, sets this organization aside from all the other pageant organizations. That is why this organization is so outstanding because it offers millions of scholarships to young women across the country. Additionally, the point of scholarships connects to all the other points because as contestants, we compete for the scholarships, and the scholarships enable us to be successful. While competing for scholarships, we can serve our own communities and create our own “style” to inspire others.

During Madison Dompkosky’s reign, what is one characteristic you’ve seen her bring forth as Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen, and which do you hope to emulate if you were to win the title?
Madison has possessed the trait passion throughout her reign. This trait is what I admire most about Maddy because she is passionate for so much just at the age of 16. She is not just passionate about her platform, but also for every single person she meets. I hope to emulate that trait just as much as she has this year.

What have you learned from our current Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen, Madison, that can help you be a better outstanding teen?
Madison has always represented a true, genuine, and real outstanding teen. Her ability to represent true herself throughout her reign has allowed me to follow off of her example to be a better teen. I admire how she doesn’t alter herself to one’s liking, instead she is unapologetically herself. Everything about her is role model material, and she has taught me so much.



Please share with our readers your platform and why you’ve chosen to advocate for it.
My platform is the ​Made of Love Not Genes Campaign​. This campaign raises awareness about adoption and shares the importance about of diversity and acceptance of others. The reason why I chose this platform is because I am adopted from Chongqing, China. On top of that, my brother is adopted from Vietnam, my father is adopted from Texas, I have two aunts who are adopted, and two of my cousins are adopted as well. This long line of adoption has given me a platform to advocate for. Furthermore, I often find that many people feel excluded due to many reasons, or they don’t feel equal. It is my main goal through this platform to bridge that gap and still allow others to be unique while sharing the importance of adoption.

If you were to win the title of Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen, how do you hope to better educate your generation about your platform and the importance it holds?
I would hope to educate others about adoption and embrace their diversity through community events, social media, and much more. With the title of Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen, I know that I can use the title as a stepping stone to accomplish so much more. I hope to share my message with all age groups, whether it is teaching kids about embracing others and their diversity, or talking to women who are considering abortion. If I can change people’s viewpoints, I know that I have reached my main goal.

Tell us about your talent and the decisions you made in proceeding with this talent.
I am a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and I spend most of my time in the dojang. I wanted to be unique and stand out from the other contestants, so I decided to have my talent as a Martial Arts Demonstration. I currently use a bo-staff and two fans in my routine. I guess that you will have to come to the pageant to see the whole routine.


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?
My biggest piece of advice is to really get to know each and every one of the contestants. I know that it sounds so cliché, but it is so true. The contestants you compete with, will become your best friends. Instead of being all wrapped up around winning the competition, allow yourself to make new friends and have fun. It makes your experience in this organization so much more fun. I am so thankful for every single contestant I have met through this organization because they have supported me and became some of my closest friends!

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?
Being a part of the Miss America Organization has allowed me to break that barrier because I am able to share everything I have learned from this organization. This organization has taught me so much about myself that I don’t think I would have ever known if it weren’t for this organization. I often share how this organization has helped me gain confidence, interview skills, and friendships. That is another aspect of what makes this organization so special. The sisterhood is so pure and real. That is what breaks the stereotypes of pageantry because of all the friendships you make are true and genuine.

Regardless of who wins the title of Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen, what is one goal which you have for them, which you hope they will accomplish during their reign?
I hope that the new Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen would exude all the qualities it takes not only to be state titleholder, but a national titleholder. I would hope that she will travel the state advocating for her platform, CMNH, and this organization itself. My goal for her is to have an outstanding personality. Overall, I want the new Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen to be approachable and really embrace her year of service.

Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. Tell our readers what make you “bravura.”
What makes me “bravura” is my ability to connect with anyone at a personal level. With my platform ​Made of Love Not Genes​, I believe that it can connect with so many people. Whenever someone would share their experience with me, I have the ability to connect with that person and sincerely understand their position. I am told that I am very sympathetic, maybe too much sometimes. This allows me to connect with others and truly be “bravura”.

Where can fans follow you on social media?
Personal Instagram- @aviaxin, Pageant Instagram- @missmidstatesot, Facebook- Avia PandaLover.

Do you have any final words for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
First, I’d like to thank to everyone who read this. I think you definitely got to learn a lot about me. My platform ​Made of Love Not Genes is supposed to spread the awareness of adoption and diversity, so I’d like to share a few parting words. Adoption is so beautiful and affects many lives for the better. If you ever encounter someone who is adopted, I recommend taking the time to listen to their story, because everyone has a different story. Additionally, accept everyone’s differences because that is what makes us humans. Continue to be uniquely you! Even if others try to make you smaller, don’t let them. Be confident in yourself! Finally, I’d like to end on my favorite quote, “Anyone can find the dirt in someone, be the one who finds the GOLD” (proverbs 11:27).