Our series, “The Road to Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen 2018,” continues with the next contestant to be featured, Miss Greater Carlisle’s Outstanding Teen 2018, Allison Gress. Continue reading to learn about this energetic high school sophomore, who is ready to bring home 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.
Hello! I am Allison Gress and I’m a sophomore at Conrad Weiser High School.  This is my third year in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen system and currently, I hold the local title of Miss Greater Carlisle’s Outstanding Teen 2018. I plan to promote my platform Happy Tails: Helping Furry Friends Find Forever Homes throughout my year of service. At the state pageant, I plan to have an upbeat tap dance as my talent!

The four points of the Miss America crown represent: service, scholarship, style, and success. Which one is the most important to you and why?
Although I stick by success as a main drive for my future, I feel as though service in the system is most important to me. By the end of my high school career, I plan on having 100 hours of community service and so far, my goal seems pretty reachable by the end of the summer. This is because of all of the amazing organizations and people I get to meet and volunteer with throughout my year.


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?
Her passion for her platform, “Thank a Veteran,” is what I strive for as a title holder. At Miss America’s Outstanding Teen last summer, she placed top 10 for the award “Teens in Action” for her platform. This is certainly an award to be proud of and she can be known as a role model for many years to come.

What have you learned from our current Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen, Madison Dompkosky, that can help you be a better outstanding teen?
I always see Madison with a huge smile on her face. She always puts her best foot forward and makes the best out of every situation.  She has taught me to embrace every opportunity.

Please share with our readers your platform and why you’ve chosen to advocate for it.
My platform is “Happy Tails: Helping Furry Friends Find Forever Homes.” (www.HappyTailsPetAdoption.com)   With my platform, I plan to spread the word about local animal shelters and adoption centers in hopes that more people adopt and do not shop for their next companion. I started becoming interested in helping our furry friends find forever homes when my family and I adopted our rescue dog, Keiko. She came from an amazing organization, Big East Akita Rescue (www.BigEastAkitaRescue.org), that rescues akita dogs from horrible situations. Keiko was for sale in a pet store in Queens, New York, when the owners decided to turn her over to the rescue since they were unable to sell her. Sadly, she had spent most of her life in a pet store cage and didn’t know grass or most things a 9-month-old puppy would know, but she learned fast and Keiko will soon be celebrating her 6th birthday!


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?
In an interview, I did with the executive director of Delaware Valley Golden Retriever Rescue (www.DVGRR.org), it was stated that the most common stigma faced by shelters today is the fact people think that there is something wrong with an animal in shelter, however they are at a rescue by no fault of their own. I hope to eliminate this stigma for all of these amazing animals so that more find their forever homes.

Tell us about your talent and the decisions you made in proceeding with this talent.
My talent for the state pageant is an upbeat tap dance to “Chained to the Rhythm” by Katy Perry. In addition to dancing this talent in June, I also performed this dance at a national dance competition where I won a special judges award, named “Simply Joyful.” I also won the “iDance4aCure” award and I am so excited to be tapping my heart out on the Miss Pennsylvania stage once again!

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?
Before winning a local title two years ago, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Because I went outside my comfort zone, I have learned so many new skills that I can carry with me throughout life.  I can now ace an upcoming job interview or walk into a room with confidence and a smile. In addition to the skills I have learned, I have the ability to earn scholarship money which is HUGE. This system has truly changed my life and it continues to do so.


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?
This organization is much, much more than just a common stereotype.   All of these girls have a platform for something they are passionate about.  We advocate for our platform like it is an art. Collectively, we treat each other like we are all each other’s sisters and I will have some lifelong friends that will come from this organization.

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 for the newly crowned Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen to be someone our state can connect with as she shares her story and  promotes the Miss PA Outstanding Teen organization so more girls are involved in this wonderful program.

Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. Tell our readers what make you “bravura.”
A trait of myself that makes me “bravura” would be my ability to always stay positive and to get through any road blocks there may be.

Where can fans follow you on social media?
Instagram: mgcot2018.
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/MGCOT2018/.
Website for my platform: www.HappyTailsPetAdoption.com.

Do you have any final words for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
According to the ASPCA, “Approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year.” I have started a “Pet of the Week” program that I promote on social media to help bring attention to the overlooked pets at the shelter in order to help them find a second (or more) chance at finding a forever home. Also, Anthony Douglas Williams, a consultant, researcher, and author once said, “Each and every animal on earth has as much right to be here as you and me.” This quote is so important to me and my platform.