The next contestant to be featured as part of our series, “The Road to Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen 2018,” is the reigning Miss Southington’s Outstanding Teen 2018, Sydney Blake Goodrich. This 16 year old & dancer, is ready to take the stage by storm and share with our readers what makes her a great candidate for Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen!

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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 Sydney Blake Goodrich and l am 16 years old. l am a sophomore honors student at Wolcott High School, and a dancer at Triple Threat Dance Co.  This is my first year holding a title and l absolutely love lt. The second l heard about the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Organization, l knew, without a doubt that this is what l wanted to do for my last three years as a high-schooler. l saw all of the amazing friends you make, the amazing experiences but most importantly the joy that lt brought to the titleholders. With this being my first year as a Teen title-holder, l have made lt my goal to serve Southington, and Connecticut with grace, passion and joy, and l couldn’t be happier to step on the Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen stage for this first time in June!!

The four points of the Miss America crown represent: service, scholarship, style, and success. Which one is the most important to you and why?
My favorite point of the crown is service. Ever since l was little l always would go out and help the community whether lt was to clean up the parks, volunteer at the elementary school, and even help fundraise for the local baseball park. l love serving my community and the people that live there, because it allows me to create a bond with the locals that is really indescribable.


During Brooke Cyr’s’s reign, what is one characteristic you’ve seen her bring forth as Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen, and which do you hope to emulate if you were to win the title?
During Brooke’s reign, she has embodied so many qualities. l can’t explain how great she has represented our state. One quality that l among many others have seen constantly is that she constantly is finding ways to fundraise, and promote what this organization is all about. If  I were to win the title, I will continue to emulate these qualities, and continue to sever our state will grace just like Brooke.

What have you learned from our current Miss Connecticut ,  Eliza Kanner , that can help you be a better outstanding teen?
Eliza has made a huge impact in my life, among many others. She has instilled confidence in me. She has consistently been a role model for so many people. l have learned that no matter what the circumstances are, to always give confidence, and love to everyone you meet and that is what l have intended to do as a title holder.

Please share with our readers your platform and why you’ve chosen to advocate for it.
My personal platform is Don’t be the Bully don’t be the Bystander. lt is a program that educates all students about bullying awareness and acceptance. My slogan is “together we can make a difference!! I chose my platform for many reasons. One reason being is that l have felt inferior, unaccepted, and bullied over the years. l would be made fun of for wearing a certain piece of clothing, making simple human mistakes and saying what was on my mind. This was all occurring at a place where l should have been happy. Before l danced at Triple Threat, l was at a studio for 13 years. Being yelled at for simple human mistakes and being told to throw someone’s garbage out is NOT okay. These people tore me down. The sad thing is l don’t think they know that.  lt has taken me a long time to accept myself and last year l decided other people should accept me too. As soon as l stepped foot in Triple Threat l knew that I was with people who respected me, loved me for me, and gave me the chance to be happy. This is not just a dance studio to me. lt is my safe haven. To me this platform is more than just a platform. This platform will be my legacy. Embrace your differences, because you are good enough.


If you were to win the title of Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen, how do you hope to better educate your generation about your platform and the importance it holds?
I hope to travel to as many schools as l can talking to kids and teenagers about the importance of acceptance. l would also love to travel to high schools speaking about the next level to my platform which is effects of bullying and suicide awareness. As a teenager myself  I believe that I can reach these students more because the information is coming from someone more their age. l will share my experiences with bullying and how it has affected me. l have already traveled to some schools to promote my platform but l want to reach more people.

Tell us about your talent and the decisions you made in proceeding with this talent.
My talent is a musical theater, rhythmic tap number to the song “Too Darn Hot”. l believe that this tap routine showcases my personality and give the audience a fun twist on musical theatre tap.

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 say go for it!! This program is such an amazing way to branch out and try new things. l have learned so much about myself through this organization, and l believe more people should get involved. Even if you have the slightest feeling, try it. It is a wonderful way to make new friends and to grow and share with each other.


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?
To me, there is no such thing as a perfect pageant girl. Everyone in the Miss America Organization is unique, different and perfectly imperfect in their own ways. Everyone in this organization is beautiful, and amazing. We embrace differences, and accept others for who we are. During my reign as a title holder so far, l have gotten comments saying all that l have to do is sit there and look pretty. If this is said by one of my friends I simply explain that it’s so much more. This organization is about loving each other just the way we are and helping out our community, state and country.

Regardless of who wins the title of Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen, what is one goal which you have for them, which you hope they will accomplish during their reign?
I hope that whoever wins, realizes how amazing of a state we are, and represents us with so much pride and joy. Every girl in this organization deserves to win and I know that whoever wins,  will represent us with grace and pride.

Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. What makes you a “bravura” candidate for Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen?
Every Girl in this competition is amazing, and l would hate to be in the judge’s shoes, however  l believe that l am an exceptional candidate for Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen 2018, because I truly have a passion for what l do. Although it is only my first year, l know that l can represent our state with that grace and pride. l love being able to represent Southington, and l would love to be able to represent Connecticut.


Where can people follow you on social media?
You can follow my Instagram at: misssouthingtonsoteen2018.
My Facebook: Miss Southington’s Outstanding Teen  2018.
I hope you will follow my journey to Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen 2018!

What final words do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine and those following you on social media?
I am so excited to take the stage for the first time this June, and l hope that you will all come out to support me and all of my wonderful sisters as we compete, hand in hand for the job of a lifetime. Thank you for this amazing opportunity. My goal as a title holder is to bring happiness confidence and love to everyone I meet because this state is truly amazing.