The next contestant to be featured as part of our series, "The Road to Miss Arkansas," is Brooke Cornelius, the current Miss Greater Little Rock. Continue reading to learn more about Brooke, her journey to the crown, and what she thinks of her fellow title-holders, Miss Arkansas 2016 and Miss America Savvy Shields!

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Please share with our readers your platform along with a brief description of what it is.
My platform is titled, “Protect Our Youth: Bullying Is Not Ok!” Stemming from a personal experience, this platform is very dear to my heart. I work relentlessly to raise awareness of the effects of bullying while establishing preventative measures to put an end to this horrific epidemic.

How long have you competed in pageants? How do you think you’ve personally grown with all your prior pageant experience?
I competed in my first pageant at six months old. Although I probably didn’t have a clue what was going on in that moment, I fell in love with everything that comes with being a “pageant girl.” Twenty three years later, I still have a burning passion for the hobby.  When I began competing in the Miss America Organization in 2013, I knew this system had so much more to offer than a crown and sash. Through the work with my platform and Children’s Miracle Network, I have truly developed a servant’s heart and redefined the definition of success in my life. I have gained an incredible amount of confidence, perseverance and ambition solely because of my involvement in pageants. Most importantly, I have learned how important it is to give back, pay it forward and often put others before yourself.

In regards to your platform, why did you choose to go with this particular one?
I chose my platform because I was bullied in the 7th and 8th grades. I was told I was “fat” and “ugly” at 110 pounds. Internalizing these hurtful words, I became convinced those words were true. It was only when I was admitted into Arkansas Children’s Hospital as a teenager that my deep despair and self-loathing began to end. When beginning treatment associated with my bulimia and anorexia diagnoses, I weighed 88 pounds with a heart rate of 38 beats per minute. As a victim of bulling, I nearly lost my life. For this reason, I advocate for bullying prevention and awareness in hopes that no individual is ever a victim of bullying.

How has working alongside your platform made you into a stronger person?
When I was bullied and even many years after, I struggled with talking about my experience and the effect it had on my life. When choosing bullying as my platform with the base being my personal story, I knew I needed to tell anyone and everyone about what happened to me. The first time I spoke to a group of students about my experience, I grew stronger. 8,500 students and faculty members later, I feel as if I could tell my story to the President of the United States without becoming sad, embarrassed or afraid. Working alongside my platform has helped me turn a once negative part of my life into a positive and influential message.

What have you learned from your current Miss Arkansas Savannah Skidmore as well as our Miss America Savvy Shields, which you hope to carry with you if you were to win the title of  Miss Arkansas?
One thing I have learned from both Savannah and Savvy is how a passion for your platform can really change a community, a state and even a nation. Savannah has traveled all across Arkansas spreading her message about suicide prevention and awareness, even leading the “Out of the Darkness Walk” in honor of a family member who lost their life to suicide. Savvy has taken the nation by storm with her “Eat Better, Live Better” platform, encouraging others to live healthier life styles every single day. Another thing I have learned from our Miss Arkansas and Miss America is to always stay determined to reach your dreams. Watching Savvy win Miss Arkansas as an alpha and then win Miss America was a true example of how determination. Savannah accepted the position of Miss Arkansas overnight and has done an amazing job taking over the job. These two ladies are wonderful role models and I am so honored Arkansas is able to claim both women.

As a title-holder, what is one of the single-most important messages, which you think you convey to your followers?
This life we live is so magical, but it also flies by at the speed of light. My single-most important message is to always work hard to reach your dreams. There will be obstacles along the way, but always persevere and focus on the light at the end of the tunnel. You never know which day will be your last, so make every single one count!

If you were to win the title of Miss Arkansas, what is the one thing which you would strive the hardest to accomplish?
Since my start in the Miss Arkansas Organization, I established a goal to present my platform to every single school district in the State of Arkansas. Thus far, I have been fortunate enough to speak to over 30 school districts in our state, and the title of Miss Arkansas would provide and even larger path for my platform, I am confident that I will reach this goal if given the opportunity.

Imagine you’re competing for Miss America, and your roommate has never visited Arkansas; how would you describe your state to your roommate?
When I think of any state, I first question, “What are the people like?” So, I would first tell my roommate that Arkansans are the true definition of southern hospitality, embodied with friendly and welcoming personalities. I would also explain how naturally beautiful our state is and how every aspect of nature can be found. Whether it is the top of Pinnacle Mountain or the world’s only diamond-bearing site open to the public, we have the most naturally beautiful state.

If you could place three items in a time capsule, which represent the women of today, what would they be and why?
Lipstick is definitely one item that I would place in a time capsule to represent women of today. Make-up has become a huge part of society and lip stick is always a must in a daily make-up routine. I would also place a high heel shoe in the time capsule, as the shoe is the staple of a women’s outfit. The last thing I would place in the time capsule is a college diploma. Women of today continuously prove that we are intelligent, strong-willed and completely capable of earning a college/professional degree.

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?
The Miss America Organization is heavily focused on scholarship and education. With financial assistance from this organization, I obtained an undergraduate degree in accounting and will begin law school in the fall of 2017. Because education can grow to be pricey, I definitely consider this factor a benefit of being a part of the Miss America Organization. I have also developed lifelong friendships with individuals who I probably would have never crossed paths with if it weren’t for our involvement in this organization. Pageants have been nothing but a positive light in my life. Not only have I grown on a personal and professional level, pageants helped me realize how important it is to give back to local communities and how anyone can make an everlasting, positive impact on someone’s life.

The name of this magazine is Bravura.  “Bravura” is an artistic word for exceptional; in your opinion, what makes you “bravura”?
One trait that makes me “bravura” is how accepting I am of anyone and everyone, no matter our differences. No one person will be alike, and I encourage others to always spread love and acceptance of all people. The
world seems to be so full of hate at times, and accepting one another is a huge step in making love the center focus.

Where can fans follow you on social media?
Facebook Brooke Cornelius, Instagram _BrookeCornelius_, and Twitter _BrookieBrooke_!

What advice do you have for those who want to take part in pageants?
Pageants are so much more than pretty clothes, make-up and crowns. Pageants are about personal growth, building confidence in ones self and earning scholarship money to achieve a higher education. I would definitely advise anyone interested in pageants to partake in the experience with an open mind and open heart.

What words of thanks do you have for those who have helped to bring you to where you are today  – a member of the Miss Arkansas Class of 2017?
I am not quiet sure there are words to describe how thankful I am to those who have aided me in this journey. THANK YOU  to my family and friends for the constant encouragement and words of positivity. Every single aspect of success in my life was obtained because I have the strongest support system behind me. I know for a fact I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for every single individual who stuck by my side through it all, and for that I am so thankful.

What final words, if any, do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
When I think about the person I want to be and the life I want to live every single day, I think of the Golden Rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Treat others exactly how you want to be treated, live every day as if it is your last and ALWAYS stay true to who you are. Life is full of positive and uplifting aspects, so find those moments, people and things and hold on tight.