The next contestant to be featured as part of our series, "The Road to Miss New Jersey," is Kyra Seeley! Kyra I have had the pleasure of knowing for a few years, and it has been wonderful watching her on the Miss New Jersey stage! She stopped by for a quick interview, which you can continue reading...

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Please share with our readers your title & platform.
My title is Miss Central Coast and my platform is “Be the Change: Volunteer”.

How long have you competed in pageants? How do you think you’ve personally grown with all your prior pageant experience?
I have competed in pageantry since I was 12 years old however my main involvement did not occur until finding the sister organization to Miss America, Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, when I was a sophomore in high school. Before becoming involved in pageantry I was already comfortable with public speaking, involved in community service, and understood the importance of good character. However, pageantry gave me a platform to present all of these and tie them together. I have been able to work on these skills, skills that will aide me as I continue through life and my future career.

In regards to your platform, why did you choose to go with this particular one?
Since I was a little girl I have always been involved in community service. I was influenced by my family and faith as a child to give back and help others. Growing up I participated in clothing and food drives and when I began middle school I found myself involved in service clubs. I learned at a young age that I could make a difference in my community. When I began with the Miss America Organization I was already promoting volunteerism to my peers through a service club that I organized with my friends. I knew that promoting the importance of giving back to the community and the immense benefits of it was something that I wanted to become more involved with and share with others. Currently my platform focuses on young children and young adults through library programs and school visits that I have organized. However, in the future I am looking to expand my platform into working with adults as well.

How has working alongside your platform made you into a stronger person?
My platform deals with inspiring others to take action in their community. When someone reaches out to me because they want to volunteer but don’t know how to go about it, or are looking for recommendations on how they can get involved in a certain cause, it strengthens my passion and reasoning for why I simply “do what I do”. I don’t think many people outside of the pageant world understand why local and state titleholders have platforms- or why we care so much about them. But all of us(titleholders) have instances like this, that prove that all of the time and hard work truly means something, and truly makes a difference.

What have you learned from your current Miss New Jersey, Brenna Weick, which you hope to carry with you if you were to win the title of Miss NJ?
When I think of Brenna, I think of the quote from Cinderella, “Have courage and be kind”. Brenna’s resiliency has shown so much courage. If anyone knows what hard work is, it is her. From spending two Miss New Jersey weeks with her and several sessions at the gym, I constantly saw her not only try or do her very best, but also stay kind throughout the whole process. I really don’t think she has a bad bone in her body! I hope that others look at me and can think of those same words courageous and kind. If I were to win the title of Miss New Jersey, I would hope to take on those qualities as I travel the state sharing my platform and preparing for Miss America.

As a title-holder, what is one of the single-most important messages, which you think you convey to your followers?
One of the single most important messages of which I convey to my followers is that every single person in this world has the opportunity to make a difference. It does not matter how big or small, anyone can make change for the better.

If you were to win the title of Miss New Jersey, what is the one thing which you would strive the hardest to accomplish?
If I were to win the title of Miss New Jersey, I would strive the hardest to settle the pork-roll vs. Taylor Ham debacle. I find this to be an extremely dividing issue within our state… but all kidding aside, I would strive to bring more awareness of the Miss New Jersey Education Foundation to young women in the central and northern part of our state. Being from Central New Jersey, I did not know about the program until researching online. The Miss America Organization provides scholarships, interview prep, and a way to strengthen community engagement and talent performance. These benefits need to become aware to more young women in areas of the state that the organization does not get many local titleholders from. As Miss New Jersey, I would plan to visit these areas and speak to young women about the organization, so that more interest can form in said areas.

Imagine you’re competing for Miss America, and your roommate has never visited New Jersey; how would you describe your state to your roommate?
I would describe this beautiful state as the melting pot of the United States. We have beaches, mountains, and farms. We have members of this state from every walk of life and ethnicity. Most importantly, we have the best food around! From bagels, to pizza, to Chinese food…we have it all and it is yummy.

If you could place three items in a time capsule, which represent the women of today, what would they be and why?
This is a tough question, because women are so diverse in preference, but I will try my best!

1. Planner/Calendar- Women today are extremely busy. From working full time jobs- to running errands and taking care of their children. They are always running. Many use a planner to keep organized.

2. The Pant Suit- Who says women can only wear skirts to work? The pant-suit, as well as dress suit, are extremely popular and also show the transition we have made in fashion and the workplace.

3. A piece of paper with the quote “As women, we must stand up for ourselves. As women, we must stand up for each other. As women, we must stand up for justice for all”- Michelle Obama – I would choose this quote because Michelle Obama has been such an advocate for empowering women. It also embodies what a lot of women of today are doing, and strive to do.

“Bravura” is an artistic word for exceptional; in your opinion, what makes you “bravura”?
One thing that I am often told is that I am always smiling. This isn’t really something that I notice, but I often hear it from friends and those that I interact with. I love talking, getting to meet new people, and having new experiences. I suppose what would would make my “bravura” is my happiness and smile through life and different adventures.

Where can fans follow you on social media?
You can follow me on the following: Personal Instagram, MAO Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

What advice do you have for those who want to take part in pageants?
At the end of the pageant day only one woman will wear the crown however everyone wins. Through pageantry you learn so much and make connections and friends that will last a lifetime. If you stay unapologetically you throughout the process and keep an open mind, it will be a great experience. Also, if you have a pageant coming up, it could be beneficial to watch a pageant within the organization you are competing in before participating in one.

What words of thanks do you have for those who have helped to bring you to where you are today in the Miss New Jersey Class of 2017?
My heart is so full. Even on the harder days of preparation, or when I had a week of finals staring down at me at the end of the semester, I think of my family and friends who support me day in and day out and it makes any worry disappear. I can not thank them enough for not only supporting me, but believing in me as well. If I were to win the title of Miss New Jersey I would be ecstatic to go back to all of those who helped me along the way to say, “Thank you, look what you helped me accomplish”. Making my family and friends proud is all I that I am striving to do this week, and whether the crown is on my head or the girl’s next to me, I know that they will be proud. I am so thankful for their constant love.

What final words do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
Thank you so much for taking the time to learn a little bit about me. I am extremely excited to be heading into the most amazing week of the year as contestant #13. I would like to leave the readers with my favorite quote that inspires me daily – “Be the change you wish to see in the world”- Gandhi ☺

Check out some more pictures of Kyra’s photoshoot with P.G. Photography: