The next contestant to be featured as part of our series, “The Road to Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen 2018,” is the reigning Miss Historic Hanover’s Outstanding Teen 2018, McKay Magness.  Having been involved in the Miss America Organization since the Princess program, McKay has an understanding of what is involved at the teen level. Continue reading to learn more about McKay and her journey to the crown!

Tweet

For those who may not be familiar with you, tell our readers a bit about yourself and your background within the pageant world.
Well to start off, my name is McKay Magness. I am 13 years old and I am a part of the Miss America program as Miss Historic Hanover’s Outstanding Teen. I have been in this program since I was a princess, and it has helped me grow so much as well as gain many skills that I otherwise would not have. I also play the harp and have been playing for 5 years. I am part of a harp group called the American Youth Harp Ensemble, a group that travels all over the world performing. In fact, last year I traveled to London, England and Wales. I also like to run track and earned several first place finishes this year.  So, as you can tell, I keep pretty busy running around, literally!

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 believe that service is the most important out of the four points for many reasons, including that it is a big part of the Miss America program. I think that serving your community and making a difference is a very good experience, and at the same time, you are bettering the community in which you live. I also believe that if and when you are given the chance to help those around you, you should take it.

During Isabella’s reign, what is one characteristic you’ve seen her bring forth as Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen, and which do you hope to emulate if you were to win the title?
I have watched Isabella throughout her reign and have seen how much she has grown in her public speaking ability and confidence, two of the categories in which I wish to grow as well.


What have you learned from our current Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen, Isabella, that can help you be a better outstanding teen?
I have learned that having confidence is definitely important when representing a title, but also knowing how to address all different types of audiences.

Please share with our readers your platform and why you’ve chosen to advocate for it.
My platform is McKay’s Memories. I created this platform to help raise money towards research to end Alzheimer’s Disease. My grandfather has Alzheimer’s and has been struggling with it for the past 10 years. I also just finished writing and publishing a book that has questions that my friends can use to record memories of their parents and grandparents.  All the money will go to the Alzheimer’s Association. To date I’ve raised $1000 and look forward to raising more through the sale of my book “Little Moments, Precious Memories.”

If you were to win the title of Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen, how do you hope to better educate your generation about your platform and the importance it holds?
If I were to win the title, I would want to spread awareness about Alzheimer’s disease, as well as the effects, the signs to look for, and the ways in which to keep your brain healthy. Also, Alzheimer’s affects 1 in every 10 seniors, which makes it most likely that you either have a family member that has this disease, or know someone who does. Not only this, but when someone has Alzheimer’s, it affects the whole family too. Research has come a long way, so it’s important to work toward a cure to end Alzheimer’s.


Tell us about your talent and the decisions you made in proceeding with this talent.
I play the harp as my talent. I normally stick with something more classical. However, this time I decided with my directors to take a different route and do something contemporary. I am playing “Clocks” by Coldplay on the harp this year, and I am very excited to see how it goes.

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?
The MAO system is a great way to gain many skills. I am only 13 and have already gained many life skills that I otherwise would not have had if it weren’t for this organization. You learn how to interview, to organize your thoughts clearly and to remain composed even in tough situations. My advice is, even if you don’t do well the first time, remember, there’s always a next time, don’t give up. It’s the losses and the upsets that make you a better person, and those are what you learn from the most.

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?
I have heard a lot about the typical pageant stereotype. However, these opinions probably aren’t informed by what we do in the MAO system or what these girls have accomplished. All of these girls I am competing with this year are not only beautiful, but also intelligent, and that is something that I don’t think is highlighted too often about pageants. Yes, we definitely walk on stage in dresses with makeup on, but we also do interviews, practice the performing arts and are really engaged in our communities.


Regardless of who wins the title of Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen, what is one goal which you have for them, which you hope they will accomplish during their reign?
My goal for whomever wins is to just do a good job representing our state and the youth of Virginia. I want others, especially teens, to have someone they can look to as a leader. And of course, it would be nice to have them win MAOTeen as well.

Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. Tell our readers what make you “bravura.”
For being 13, I have been so fortunate to have had many experiences that even some adults have not had. I have traveled to Europe on tour performing with my harp ensemble, as well as collaborated with the Queen’s former royal harpist, who I might add played at William and Kate’s wedding. I have also seen dozens of Broadway shows. I was selected to go to the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth camp, where I stayed on a college campus for 3 weeks at the age of 12 and will be attending again this year for a course on bioethics. So, in my 13 short years, I can honestly say I have accomplished quite a bit.

Where can fans follow you on social media?
Well, I am just 13 so my parents limit my social media activity.  But, you can follow my activities as a titleholder on the Miss River City and Historic Hanover Facebook page.

Do you have any final words for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
I would just like to say a word of thanks to my two directors for helping me throughout my process of preparation for Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen. It is volunteers like them that make this organization so successful. I would also like to say a word of thanks to the Miss America organization for giving so many young girls the chance to follow their dreams and make a difference in their community.