The next contestant featured as part of our series, “The Road to Miss Massachusetts,” is Brittany Churchill, the current Miss Taunton 2017. Continue reading to learn more about Brittany and her journey towards the crown!

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Please share with our readers your title & platform.
My name is Brittany Churchill, I am Miss Taunton 2017, and my platform is the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center (MARC) which is an anti-bullying and bullying prevention program located on Bridgewater State University campus.

How long have you competed in pageants? How do you think you’ve personally grown with all your prior pageant experience?
My first experience with pageantry began in highschool with the Distinguished Young Woman program as a local and state titleholder. I then worked for three years to earn the title of Miss Taunton. I have grown physically, vocally, and most importantly in confidence.

In regards to your platform, why did you choose to go with this particular one?
I first started working with the MARC program as part of a service learning course at Bridgewater State University with one of my mentors. I used to think bullying was an over-used term and MARC made me more aware of what bullying is and isn’t. In order to live by example and intentionally promote kindness we must inspire more awareness and discussion about the ways bullying presents itself today.

How has working alongside your platform made you into a stronger person?
My work with MARC influenced my Honors Thesis, multiple jobs with children, and my overall outlook on life. People are so much more capable of what we often assume, and I choose to see the good in people. It makes me a stronger person seeing the strength in others.

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 is one of the most fearless people I’ve met. She is completely true to herself and lets her personality shine through. I would hope to carry that same authenticity with me if I were to win that title.

As a title-holder, what is one of the single-most important messages, which you think you convey to your followers?
Something that is particularly important to me is the power of interaction. When on appearances, people care more about how you make them feel than how pretty you look. Anyone can look like a princess, but it takes true character to act like one. I have been told I do that for others and I truly try my best to live that philosophy.

If you were to win the title of Miss Massachusetts, what is the one thing which you would strive the hardest to accomplish?
I am most passionate about destroying pageant girl stereotypes. Too many times I have been faced with the response, “You do pageants? But I thought you were smart.” As a woman I am disgusted by the false dichotomy that pretty women cannot be smart and intelligent women cannot be attractive.

Imagine you’re competing for Miss America, and your roommate has never visited Massachusetts; how would you describe your state to your roommate?
As a former state titleholder I’ve actually had the privilege of describing our state to roommates and fellow participants who had never visited Massachusetts before! I told them about our schools and hospitals and history. That we have forests and mountains and beaches. That we run on Dunkin. That we truly are wicked awesome!

If you could place three items in a time capsule, which represent the women of today, what would they be and why?
That is a particularly difficult question because I don’t think three items can possibly accurately represent women across age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. However, I would like to think a graduation cap, Olympic medal, and judge’s gavel reflect the way women are conquering the world academically, physically, and politically despite consistent oppression.

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?
Even I was surprised to meet intelligent, talented, passionate, and kind women through this organization when I began this journey. Many times I have been faced with the stereotypes of pageant girls when people realize I don’t fit their expectations. I share the reality of how positive this world is simply by living it. When receiving an award, presenting at a conference, or defending my thesis, I let everyone that commends my intellect, poise, and composure know that I am a pageant girl. Slowly but surely, as we promote awareness, people will come to understand the positive attributes of young women who are titleholders.

“Bravura” is an artistic word for exceptional; in your opinion, what makes you “bravura”?
My mother and I regularly begin our days reminding each other that we are exceptionally blessed. I believe I am exceptional because of my infinite blessings. My life is beautiful because of my family, my education, my health, my God-given talents and so much more.

Where can fans follow you on social media?
My personal Facebook page and my pageant page.

What advice do you have for those who want to take part in pageants?
I advise many young girls I meet to take part in pageantry and offer one single piece of wisdom: be your best self. That is all you can do- try to be the best version of you. This carries forth not only in each area of competition, but throughout your life.

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?
There are simply too many people who surround me with love and support. It truly does take a village to earn a crown and I have had loved ones championing me for quite some time. My family, my committee, and sponsors have honestly been too good to me, like I mentioned before I truly am exceptionally blessed.

What final words do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy meeting the rest of our class and learning about these amazing young women!