During her reign, we got to know the current MAOTeen MA, Carly Fisher, very well! She is an avid artist with a bubbling personality. And we hope that over the course of the past few weeks & coming weeks as well, you get to know the contestants from the MAOTeen MA Class of 2018 also, who are vying for her title. One such contestant is Marianne Bautista, who has been involved in everything from community engagement to musical theater. Continue reading to learn more about Marianne and her journey to the crown!

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For those who may not be familiar with you, tell our readers a bit about yourself and your background within the pageant world.
I attend Phillips Academy in Andover. I’m very much involved in musical theater, dance, crew, the community engagement program, and the catholic community at my school. I aspire to become a neurosurgeon someday and my platform is “Peer Mentoring: Bridging Knowledge Gaps”. This is my first time participating with the MAO system and the Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen Pageant. However, I have competed in my first pageant on 2009. Pageantry has empowered me since then and I have become more confident in pursuing my dreams.

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 think each of the four points are very important, but “service” is a core value that resonates with me more and should come first. I believe that when we give more than what we can, we will lead life in a joyful, fulfilling, positive way. My platform, along with encouraging other students to succeed in school and make the most out of what they have, has brought me gratitude and a better understanding of living a life with purpose. For me, it is important to give back to those in need and honor those who have supported me into shaping the person I am today.

During Carly Fisher’s reign, what is one characteristic you’ve seen her bring forth as Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen, and which do you hope to emulate if you were to win the title?
I see Carly as a very driven person and I admire how she made a big impact as a state titleholder through service, her platform, and by raising funds for the Children’s Miracle Network. I hope to emulate her passion to inspire and help the youth more than ever.


What have you learned from our current MAOTeen MA, Carly Fisher, that can help you be a better outstanding teen?
I learned how Carly sets goals and finds creative ways to achieve them. She was able to make almost 100 appearances throughout her reign. I plan to be able to attend many events pertaining to my platform and make my plans happen. With my knowledge in managing my time and balancing between academics and extracurricular, I know I can achieve my goals.

Please share with our readers your platform and why you’ve chosen to advocate for it.
My platform is “Peer Mentoring: Bridging Knowledge Gaps”. I chose this platform because from a young age, and especially coming from a family who migrated here in America just few years before I was born, I’ve always been taught of the importance of education. A meaningful education is a key to success and a valuable solution to most of the problems our youth and society is facing today. In my school, I participate in a mentorship program called PALS, where I mentor students in the Lawrence public elementary schools. After interacting with the students, I found that mentoring is an effective way in helping students who are behind in their classrooms. In addition to this benefit, advanced students will learn the values of leadership and selflessness as they volunteer to reach out and help their fellow classmates.

If you were to win the title of Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen, how do you hope to better educate your generation about your platform and the importance it holds?
I would educate my generation by speaking to schools, events, and libraries through presentations and appearances. I intend to partner with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and use the title to be able to reach out to as many schools in our state. I will encourage students to form a buddy system within their classrooms and to participate in peer mentoring groups as a mentor or mentee, and hopefully by doing this, students, as well as their teachers, will implement this learning practice into their daily lives at school and get to enjoy the benefits of peer mentoring as much I have since I was in 4th grade. If we create a supportive, healthier learning environment for everybody, no struggling child will ever have to dislike going to school. My platform’s ultimate goal is to help the youth realize their full potential as a student and as a leader. Resources are available if they seek and utilize them. Like me, every youth is a work in progress but I would like to be an example and inspiration to others in valuing the importance of education and that student success is possible regardless of their ethnicity, gender, and socio-economic status, or whatever circumstances they’re in.


Tell us about your talent and the decisions you made in proceeding with this talent.
I will be performing a ballad song for my talent. After watching a recent movie, I fell in love with a particular song which was sung by one of the characters whom I can relate to. It is terrifying for a singer to lose her voice or the confidence to perform. Singing can be difficult for me especially after a race or crew practice where I have to use my voice a lot as a coxswain. The song I’ll be singing is about having the world at our hands yet without realizing our own worth and not being with the people we truly care about, it’ll never be enough. I thought its message is perfect and I hope I’ll be able to convey to my audience the meaning behind the song as I share it on stage.

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?
I am currently competing with an At Large title, but for those who are interested in the MAO system, I would have to say that being involved in your community and having a strong support system would be a good start. Find a topic you would like to advocate or a cause you’d like to support. Seek leadership opportunities, take action, and make a difference in your community now.

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?
Being a part of this organization has allowed me and all the contestants to break the negative stereotypes by being able to share our platforms and the issues we are raising awareness on. I’m learning life skills here as I challenge myself while pursuing goals with courage. There are so many good outcomes for women in pageantry that outweigh the negative perspective of others who do not have first-hand experience of what it’s like to actually be a part of it. Anyone who competes in pageants is most likely to be more well-rounded than her former self. A system that supports and celebrates young women, not because they are defined by one standard of beauty, but because their intrinsic value is determined by what they contribute to their community, is truly empowering, so I’d encourage young women to try it out for themselves. Be a part of the friendship and learn the valuable lessons that pageantry bring.

Regardless of who wins the title of Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen, what is one goal which you have for them, which you hope they will accomplish during their reign?
I’m certain that whoever wins will be an amazing Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen. One goal I have for the new titleholder, which I’m too excited about, is that I hope she will represent our state very well at the national pageant and make us all proud, as I know she will. I wish everyone the best of luck and I hope all the contestants will accomplish all the personal goals they hope for.

Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. Tell our readers what make you “bravura.”
My genuine desire to make a difference in my generation and to all the people I come across with is what makes me “bravura”.

Where can fans follow you on social media?
Follow me on Instagram @mariannebautistaa .

Do you have any final words for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
Please come and watch our pageant on April 8, 2018. Many thanks to the Bravura Magazine and to all the readers for joining us on our journey to the Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen 2018 title!