We are excited to share with our readers, a new series with you called, "The Road to Miss New Jersey's Outstanding Teen." The next young contestant to be featured in our series is, Miss Northern Lakes' Outstanding Teen 2017, Samantha McConaghy!

Tweet

Tell us your name, title, and the platform you’re representing.
Samantha McConaghy, Miss Northern Lakes’ Outstanding Teen 2017, Get Up! Get Out! Volunteer!

Why did you choose this platform as you competed in the Outstanding Teen program?
Volunteering has been been a part of my life from a very young age. I LOVE being involved with my community and meeting new people.

Is this your first pageant, or have you competed in pageants before?
I have been competing in pageants since I was 9 years old, but this will be my first time competing for the title of Miss New Jersey Outstanding Teen.

What have you learned thus far from our current Miss NJ, Brenna Weick, that can help you be a better Outstanding Teen?
What I have learned through watching our current Miss New Jersey, Brenna Weick over the years is perseverance, hard work, and dedication pay off.

If you were to win the title of Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen, what is the biggest challenge you think you will face? How do you hope to overcome it?
If I were to become Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen I feel the biggest challenge I would face might be scheduling. I would definitely want to make the most out of my year by being involved in as many activities as possible.

If you were to win the title of Miss NJOTeen, how do you hope to better educate your generation about your platform and the importance it holds?
Volunteering is necessary for so many organization to be successful. I would continue to promote my platform Get Up! Get Out! Volunteer! and educate my peers on how easy it is to get involved in your community. There is an something out there for everyone to be involved with. You just have to find the right one!

What advice do you have for those who want to compete for a local title?
DO IT! I have been so fortunate to be involved with the Miss New Jersey organization since I was 9 years old. The people that you meet through this organization truly become your family. I have made friends from all over the state and enjoy every moment of it.

Because of the way media and certain television networks have portrayed the lifestyle of a pageantry, there is a preconceived notion of what a pageant girl is. How do you think that being a part of the Miss America Organization, you’re able to break that barrier?
Since I have been competing in pageantry from such a young age I have been asked this question a lot over the years. I usually begin by explaining how dedicated the Miss America Organization is to Community Service and Education. The girls who compete for this organization are dedicated to their platforms, involved in their communities, and care about what goes on in our world.

Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. Tell our readers what makes you “bravura.”
Hmmm… I believe my ability to remain positive and give my all in every situation is what makes me Bravura!

Where can fans follow you on social media?
Facebook-Miss Northern Lakes’ Outstanding Teen 2017
Instagram/Twitter-northernschprog
Website-northernschprog.wixsite.com

Do you have any final words for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
Thank you Bravura Magazine for the opportunity for people to get to know a little bit about me before the Miss New Jersey Outstanding Teen Pageant on January 21st.

To purchase tickets for the Miss NJ Outstanding Teen pageant, click here! See who gets crowned on January 21, 2017! You can also support the Miss New Jersey Education Foundation with an in-kind donation!

See more images from Samantha’s exclusive photoshoot with Bravura Magazine and P.G. Photography!