The Road to Miss New York’s Outstanding Teen 2018 – Gabriella Marinelli
New York is the city that never sleeps; it is the hub of all things fashion. And it is also the home of many titleholders vying for the title of Miss New York’s Outstanding Teen 2018. One such titleholder is 15-year-old, Gabriella Marinelli, who is a sophomore from Staten Island. Continue reading to learn more about Gabriella and her journey towards the crown!
For those who may not be familiar with you, tell our readers a bit about yourself and your background within the pageant world.
I am Gabriella Marinelli a 15-year-old sophomore from Staten Island. I have been a part of MAO since I was 13 and have won one local since then. Last year I was lucky enough to take the Miss New York’s Outstanding Teen stage as Miss Richmond County’s Outstanding Teen 2017 and it was an accomplishment to be awarded 4th runner up! Ever since then I have been working harder and harder every day to work towards my dream job, Miss New York’s Outstanding Teen, and eventually my super dream job Miss America’s Outstanding Teen.
The four points of the Miss America crown represent: service, scholarship, style, and success. Which one is the most important to you and why?
I believe service is our most important point. I consider service my drive. Without service, I feel then there should be no scholarship because scholarship is the award. Then following that we express our style through the crown and exhibit the success. Therefore, service drives scholarship, style, and success!
This photo: Valentines for Veterans Project 2017
During Asia Hickmans’s reign, what is one characteristic you’ve seen her bring forth as Miss New York’s Outstanding Teen, and which do you hope to emulate if you were to win the title?
Asia is very hard-working. Throughout her journey, I can see how much she is devoted to her platform and representing New York. I am inspired by how much she has grown this year through her music and as a person. As Miss New York’s Outstanding Teen, I would hope I can follow with the traits she displays and grow in my leadership skills and public speaking!
What have you learned from our current Miss New York, Gabrielle Walter, that can help you be a better outstanding teen?
I have met Gabrielle and she is one of the nicest people I have ever met, hands down. She is extremely professional and well put together and takes her role in this organization and state very seriously and she knows what she is doing. Her presence amazes me whenever she is in a room. She is always traveling to appearances and handling school work which is so important. She is truly a role model for me and taught me what a true Miss America titleholder should present throughout her year of service and after.
Please share with our readers your platform and why you’ve chosen to advocate for it.
My platform is No Restrictions on Your Ambitions: encouraging children to find their inner talents and inspire them to go into the community with their talents to make others happy. A forever passion I have is for dancing. It took me until the sixth grade to realize I love what I do because of the obstacles I faced of being confident because I was not always as good as everyone else and convincing myself I was not good enough. As I grew with my dance team, we always go into the community and hold performances that we perform for free for entertainment and so we can display our talents for everyone to take in. I definitely know I am not the only one who had gone through my obstacles, so I am here to inspire children to do what they love and teach them about confidence and teamwork. Teamwork is an important part of my platform. In order to be confident you need to have an empowering support system so working together, like all of the titleholders in the organization that make it a sisterhood, to lift each other up. I incorporated service because I do not know about anyone else but service is a powerful thing that makes me happy no matter. Getting to express myself through dance and the arts give me an amazing feeling nothing else compares to.
This photo: My Valentines for Veterans Project 2018 and I was able to bring them to a Vietnam Veterans meeting and present to them and talk about why I do what I do. I was able to interact with them and have conversations with them and I absolutely love working with the Veterans.
If you were to win the title of Miss New York’s Outstanding Teen, how do you hope to better educate your generation about your platform and the importance it holds?
I will talk about the points of my platform: talents, service, confidence, and teamwork. I will continue to help theater plays in elementary schools where children inspire ME by their amazing talents. Also, I plan to visit schools to talk about my platform, the organization, and Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, a non-profit organization that all titleholders are advocates for. I love holding fundraisers and seeing everyone come out to support a good cause so of course it will be something I continue. Also, my social media is made for children and I believe is very empowering. Daily I post things I do throughout my community and fun, inspiring quotes.
Tell us about your talent and the decisions you made in proceeding with this talent.
My talent is a jazz solo to “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked”, the version by Postmodern Jukebox. This song is so powerful and I love dancing to Broadway style jazz songs and it was perfect for me.
Having been in pageants and after winning a local title, what advice do you have for those who want to start competing in the MAO system?
Joining the MAO system was one of the best decisions I have made. It definitely matured me and brought out the qualities I never knew I had. I grew in confidence and leadership skills. I have made amazing friends and met so many people. I encourage so many girls to become a part of this because it really does steer you in the right direction in life.
Because of the way media and certain television networks have portrayed the lifestyle of pageantry, there is a preconceived notion of what a pageant girl is like. How do you think that being a part of the Miss America Organization you are able to break that barrier?
The Miss America pageants do not relate to any other. It is about expressing who you are and what you want to change or advocate through your platform. It is using the title to empower others to engage in the community and come together for great causes. Everyone brings something unique to the stage to showcase themselves for a chance to become a grand role model in their community.
This photo: My star-princesses, cousins, and students I teach at our dance studio every Saturday morning as volunteer work.
Regardless of who wins the title of Miss New York’s Outstanding Teen, what is one goal which you have for them, which you hope they will accomplish during their reign?
A goal is being able to say they did something moving with their title. They can share the importance of their platform to others and eventually make a change. Also, being out in the community supporting other causes and advocating for the Miss America organization as a smart, beautiful, and compassionate titleholder.
Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. Tell our readers what make you “bravura.”
I am bravura because I have invincible determination. If I say I am going to do something, I am going to do it. I put my heart and soul into everything I do and try to put smiles on as many faces as possible because I am here to live life to the fullest and radiate the positivity to everyone else.
Where can fans follow you on social media?
My Instagram is missgabriellamarinelli.
My Facebook is No Restrictions on Your Ambitions.
My YouTube is Beginning of Gab.
Do you have any final words for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
Thank you so much for reading through my article and I hope you learned a little bit about me and my love for the organization!
Join Bravura Magazine, as we will be at the Miss New York’s Outstanding Teen 2018 pageant, taking place on April 7th! It will be at Shenendehowa High School in Clifton Park, NY! For tickets to the event, you can visit this link. Be sure to check back so you can read more about the other amazing ladies vying for the title of MAOTeen NY 2018!
