Alexandra Segar, who is the current Miss Litchfield County, is the next contestant to be featured as part of our series, “The Road to Miss Connecticut.” Continue reading to learn more about her!

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Please share with our readers your title & platform.
I am the 2017 Miss Litchfield County and my platform is C.A.S.A. or Court Appointed Special Advocate for kids in the foster care system.

How long have you competed in pageants? How do you think you’ve personally grown with all your prior pageant experience?
This is my first year competing in pageants. I wanted to start pageants to grow connections, build confidence, and work on public speaking/ interview skills. Throughout the Miss America Organization I have met so many amazing and empowering women. This organization breaks the stereotype of pageants. This organization shows that all women should have style, be successful, do service, and be scholarly. I have fulfilled all of my goals since starting pageants and I know I will continue to grow and learn throughout my title year.

In regards to your platform, why did you choose to go with this particular one?
In the fall of 2016, I was introduced to C.A.S.A. through my sorority’s philanthropy. The main reason why I picked to join this sorority was because of C.A.S.A. and the relationship our organization had with them. I am a strong advocate for children because they are our country’s future. All kids should be raised by parents that tell them to dream big and that they can be anything that they want to be.

How has working alongside your platform made you into a stronger person?
Working with C.A.S.A. has made me realize that I have a bigger voice than I thought. It only costs $1,000 to support a C.A.S.A. child in the court system. It only costs $1,000 to give a child a voice to fight for their basic human rights. One of my favorite quotes is, “Alone we can do a little, together we can do a lot.” Unfortunately, with C.A.S.A. you are not allowed to go meet the kids directly because they don’t want people to be in and out of their life like they are in and out of foster care homes. This has made my love grow even fonder and makes me work even harder to get to see the kids smiling face in a photo with a family they are finally happy with. Seeing the kids fight and strength makes me a stronger person everyday.

What have you learned from your current Miss Connecticut, Alyssa Taglia, which you hope to carry with you if you were to win the title of Miss Connecticut?
Something that I admire about the current Miss Connecticut, Alyssa Taglia, is what you see on stage is what you get in person. Alyssa does not put on an act when she is onstage; she is truly a genuine, caring, service focused, hardworking, and outgoing woman. If I were lucky enough to win the title of Miss Connecticut, I would hope to carry on how personable and genuine Alyssa is. This is my first year in the Miss America organization and I could not have asked for a better experience so far.

As a title-holder, what is one of the single-most important message, which you think you convey to your followers?
As a title-holder, I think that the most important message I can send to my followers is, Be Yourself. There is nobody in the world that is exactly like you. I was once told that I shouldn’t try to be someone because the world already has one of them and that the world needs one of me. It is so important to stay true to who you are and to stay humble no matter what you do.

If you were to win the title of Miss Connecticut, what is the one thing which you would strive the hardest to accomplish?
With the title of Miss Connecticut, I would strive to change people’s perceptions on pageants. Being beautiful on the outside will only get you so far in a pageant and I think that the Miss America Organization really embodies this. Pageants are about the four points of the crown; STYLE, SERVICE, SCHOLARSHIP, AND SUCCESS. What is on the inside truly shines through everything else. I want people to know that the stereotype of pageants is not true. We are strong leading women who care about more than the shape of our body or the color of our skin. I have heard of too many girls being scared to do pageants because they aren’t pretty enough, or they aren’t skinny enough and it breaks my heart every time. I want everyone to know that they are pretty enough, they are smart enough, and they are good enough.

Imagine you’re competing for Miss America, and your roommate has never visited Connecticut; how would you describe your state to your roommate?
Connecticut is home of all four seasons. Though small, the state of Connecticut holds all types of areas; city, country, ocean, and everything in-between. Connecticut is know as many different things, we are the Constitution state, the Nutmeg state, the Brownstone state, and more. Connecticut is the perfect balance of everything and I couldn’t imagine growing up anywhere else.

If you could place three items in a time capsule, which represent the women of today, what would they be and why?
First, I would place my crown and sash. I am so proud of the woman I am becoming through the organization. I have gained so many life long skills and strengthened what was weak before. I am now able to public speak without being nervous. I have strengthened my interview skills. I have striven for a better healthy lifestyle. Overall I have gained the confidence to know that I can achieve my goals.

Second, I would place a letter a student of mine wrote for me. I have been lucky enough to be a dance teacher to kids ages 2-12 for the past few years. Something that I didn’t realize until I received this letter was that I was also a role model to many of these girls and boys. The letter was a school assignment she had to write about someone they aspire to be like. This letter is a constant reminded to never change or give up because there is always someone looking up to you.

Finally, I would place my Passport in the time capsule. One of my favorite things is traveling the world and seeing other cultures. I love to learn about the world we are living in and I never want to loose my sense of adventure.

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?
I am a strong advocate for shining a positive light on pageants. I believe that everyone should know what pageants are truly like. I have only been in the pageant world for a few months and I am so grateful of everything I have learned so far. Pageants are about sharing what you love with others. Pageants are about showing you have confidence in who you are or who you are becoming. I have gained life long friends and amazing life skills that I will use for the rest of my life. Pageants are not just about having a pretty face; they are about having a beautiful heart.

“Bravura” is an artistic word for exceptional; in your opinion, what makes you “bravura”?
I am “bravura” because I am confidently me. I believe that I can achieve whatever goals I set for myself and I am not going to let anyone tell me I can’t.

Where can fans follow you on social media?
Watch my trip to the Miss Connecticut Crown on…
Facebook @ Miss Litchfield County 2017 – Alexandra Segar
Instagram @misslitchfieldcounty

What advice do you have for those who want to take part in pageants?
Just go for it. Don’t care about what anybody thinks. Be Confidently YOU!

What words of thanks do you have for those who have helped to bring you to where you are today in the Miss Connecticut Class of 2017?
To my family: Thank you Mom and Dad for supporting my decision to jump into the pageant world at the age of 19. Thank you for being my biggest supporters. Thank you for all that you have done for me that made me the person I am today. Thank you for being my fan club. I love you.

To my friends: Carly, thank you for putting the thought of doing pageants in my head. Aimee, thank you for being the most supportive roommate in everything I decide to do. Jill, thank you for cheering me on half way across the world. To all the rest, thank you for supporting me in everything I do and for always cheering me on. I am eternally grateful to have the best friends out there. Xoxo

To my Business Manager: I would be like a lost puppy without you. I am so grateful to have you help me every step of the way through my first year of pageantry and the Miss America Organization. Thank you.

To my Teen: Thank you for being you. You are the little sister I always wanted but never got. I love you and I am so excited for our year together.

To the Miss Connecticut Class of 2017: You are some of the most amazing young women I have had the pleasure of meeting. Connecticut would be lucky to have any of you as the next representative. I am excited that I get to spend my year with life long friends.

Lastly, Thank you to the Miss America Organization for giving me one of the greatest life experiences yet!

What final words do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
Never underestimate yourself. Dream big and live for a greater cause.