The next contestant to be featured as part of our series, “The Road to Miss Arkansas,” is Claudia Raffo. Continue reading to learn more about Claudia, her journey to the crown, and what she’s learned from her two Queens, Savannah Skidmore & Miss America Savvy Shields!

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Please share with our readers your  platform along with a brief description of what it is.
Umbilical Cord Donation- New Life Saves Lives  I encourage the public to sign-up as bone marrow donors, as well as educate women on umbilical cord donation.

How long have you competed in pageants? How do you think you’ve personally grown with all your prior pageant experience?
My first pageant was my senior year of high school in November 2013. At the time, I was considering attending college in Mississippi and wanted to earn scholarship money to help pay the out of state tuition costs. But with this crown, came a very generous scholarship to Arkansas State University (ASU). Winning the pageant changed to direction of my life. I chose ASU, and I absolutely love that I can focus on my classes instead of worrying about paying for college.  The last four years have been a blessing.  I have learned that I have a voice and opinions, to appreciate others for who they are, to never take myself to seriously and to truly enjoy the journey.

In regards to your platform, why did you choose to go with this particular one?
When I was 11, my grandmother underwent an experimental procedure to extend her life.   After surviving breast cancer and Hodgkin’s lymphoma, she developed leukemia and needed a bone marrow transplant. No one in my family was a match, and doctors suggested using umbilical cord blood.  Thanks to two new mothers who donated their umbilical cords, her cord blood transplant extended her life and most of all, my time with her. My grandmother’s experience encouraged me to establish a non-profit organization in 2015, “Hattie’s Match”, with the goal of helping families like mine, who have a member in need of a cord blood transplant.

How has working alongside your platform made you into a stronger person?
When helping register bone marrow donors and educating on the benefits of umbilical cord donation, you can help be a more thankful, stronger person. It absolutely puts life in perspective when you hear the stories and meet the people who have been affected by cancer and other life threatening diseases. All the small stuff and my “problems” seem so insignificant. I definitely think I am more compassionate, a much better listener, and more determined that every new mother is aware that they can donate or personally bank her newborn’s cord instead of letting it be discarded as medical waste.

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?
Both women have represented Arkansas with grace and dignity. They both are very service driven, and I admire how they both have put others first.

As a title-holder, what is one of the single-most important messages, which you think you convey to your followers?
One of the most important messages, especially to young men and women, is to be an individual. You are the best person at being you. In pageants, just as in life, many try to be just like somebody else. Walk to your own beat, make decisions that are best for you personally and always be true to who you are.

If you were to win the title of Miss Arkansas, what is the one thing which you would strive the hardest to accomplish?
If I were to become Miss Arkansas, I think it is extremely crucial to give back to the state and help promote my platform with the power of the crown.  I would want to visit as every school district, all of the sponsors, and every obstetrician’s office as possible. My biggest challenge in doing all of this would be time.

Imagine you’re competing for Miss America, and your roommate has never visited Arkansas; how would you describe your state to your roommate?
I think Arkansas is the best kept vacation secret in the United States. There is something for everyone.  It is a southern state fun of charm and hospitality, sprinkled with big city advantages.  If you want history and antebellum homes, we have it.  If you want to camp, hunt or fish, we’ve have it.  If you want to relax on a clear lake with blue skies, we have it.  If you want a mountain get away, we’ve got it. If you want art, museums or entertainment, we’ve got it.  If you want upscale, outlet or vintage shopping, we’ve got it.  If you are hungry, we can feed you in a gas station, a five-star restaurant or in a neighborhood diner.  We’ve got it all.  Or if you want to live in a place with four full seasons, we’ve got that to.  And if you don’t like the weather, just wait a day!

If you could place three items in a time capsule, which represent the women of today, what would they be and why?
A smartphone, to represent how we keep our lives organized in today’s world. Lipstick, to represent how we like to present ourselves with our best foot forward. Lastly, a picture of a variety of women of all shapes, sizes, and colors to represent how far we have come to realize that all body images are beautiful.

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’m all about the scholarship money, and I am not ashamed or afraid to approach anyone about it.  I did not take the traditional path to the pageant world as some other contestants, and I believe many people who criticize need to see contestants as real people. Many don’t understand the system or have never met a contestant. Perfecting a talent, challenging myself to eat better and exercise, focusing on helping others through my platform, and being up-to-date on world events are all benefits of competing in MAO. Living a positive focused life is the best way to knock down criticism and naysayers.

The name of this magazine is Bravura.  “Bravura” is an artistic word for exceptional; in your opinion, what makes you “bravura”?
Keeping everything in perspective, leading a positive life and being focused on what really matters makes me bravura!

Where can fans follow you on social media?
TWITTER: @raffo_claudia
INSTAGRAM: @claudiaraffo
FACEBOOK:  Claudia Raffo.

What advice do you have for those who want to take part in pageants?
Don’t wait- just do it!

What words of thanks do you have for those who have helped to bring you to where you are today, as a member of the Miss Arkansas Class of 2017?
I am so blessed that I have an incredible support system.  No one can “do life”, especially this life by themselves.  To my family, friends, and directors- THANK YOU!
What final words, if any, do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
What a great idea for you to get to know all of the Miss Arkansas contestants on our 80th anniversary! I hope you enjoy getting to know a little more about our stories.