The Road to Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen isn’t an easy one; and with pageant day right around the corner, the MAOTeen MA Class of 2018 is getting anxious to see who will join the MAO sisterhood as their new Outstanding Teen. One such contestant is Victoria Kalisz, who we introduced to you during our editorial on CMN Hospital Week. Continue reading to learn more about Tori 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 am 16 years old and very excited to hold my very first title in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Program! I am an honors student at Fairhaven High School and am very proud that I will be inducted into the National Honor Society next week. I am a competitive dancer, a nine-year member of a community vocal troupe, have been active in musical theatre since the age of six, was a three year member of a teen pop girl group and spend a lot of time volunteering in my community. As Miss New Bedford’s Outstanding Teen, I truly love every minute of my year of service and am thrilled to be competing with fourteen other amazing young women in the upcoming Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen Pageant.


The four points of the Miss America crown represent: service, scholarship, style, and success. Which one is the most important to you and why?
To me, service is the most important. Being able to motivate others, bring a smile to someone’s face or simply help someone in need brings me joy and, if we all do our small part, the world will be a much better place. As much as I am appreciative of scholarship money, love showcasing my style, and am very proud of the successes I have had in in my life, none of that is as important as helping others and making a difference in my community.

During Carly Fisher’ 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?
One of the things I have loved most about Carly is listening to her speak. She is so articulate, genuine and a wonderful example of how important it is to be a clear communicator. Regardless of the type of event I have seen her at, she has reinforced that quality and served as a great example of what this program stands for.


What have you learned from our current Miss MA Outstanding Teen, Carly Fisher, that can help you be a better outstanding teen?
The way Carly carries and presents herself reinforces the fact that holding a title in the Miss America Organization makes each and every one of us a brand ambassador for this amazing program. It is our responsibility to always do our best to be positive role models and represent the four points of the crown at all times. Being friendly, kind, genuine and someone to emulate is the type of Teen titleholder that I would also like to be remembered as.

Please share with our readers your platform and why you’ve chosen to advocate for it.
I am dedicating my year of service to my platform “Rise Up; You’re Stronger Than You Think”. Each and every day, many children and teens wake up and struggle with issues including physical, emotional, self-esteem, family or other things. Everyone encounters challenges at some point in their life that can be overwhelming and frightening. Because of this, we all have a choice to make: to give up or rise up and face our challenges head on. I want to help others rise up! Personally, the past few years have been a difficult medical journey for me. Beginning with joint pain, suffering through repeated shoulder dislocations and joint instability escalated to a diagnosis of a connective tissue disorder. This landed me in a very large immobilizer brace and my life was no longer what it used to be. It was embarrassing to be seen in, I was frightened of never being able to use my arm again, hurting from the intense physical/occupational therapies and I was sad that my life was never going to be the same. Before this happened to me, I would never have believed that I was strong enough to get through something like that, but I am and know that others can overcome great challenges too.

Today, I have full use of my arm and shoulder but still deal with many joint and pain issues every day. Some days are worse than others, but I still have the same choice – to give up or rise up and I continue to choose to rise. In a world where we face challenges of all sorts every single day, I want to use my platform to help others stay positive, motivated and committed to their goals while reminding them that they are stronger than they think.


If you were to win the title of Miss Massachusetts’s Outstanding Teen, how do you hope to better educate your generation about your platform and the importance it holds?
Should I have the honor of becoming Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen, I would expand upon what I have already accomplished locally. I would love to work more with Boston Children’s Hospital to offer myself as a youth ambassador and spokeswoman for their amazing, life-saving work and support. This includes promoting and fundraising for the Children’s Miracle Network to promote their efforts to financially support these hospitals. Additionally, I would continue speaking to children in schools to share my story and encourage positive thinking to help them develop skills to rise above whatever challenges in life that they may face. I would also continue to build my social media presence and build upon what I have begun with my Facebook page.

Tell us about your talent and the decisions you made in proceeding with this talent.
I have been singing for as long as I can remember and have studied voice since I was seven years old. I will be performing a vocal presentation to “California Dreaming” originally performed by the Mamas and the Papas. I’ve always loved listening to and performing music from all decades and I know this one is a classic. A few years ago, I heard it performed by Samantha Johnson (who happens to be the sister of a former Miss New Bedford) on American Idol, fell in love with the contemporary arrangement and decided then that I would love to perform it!


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?
The best way for a teen to begin her journey is to come to this weekend’s Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen Pageant! It is so motivating to watch talented, articulate and driven young women working toward personal growth and the ultimate goal of the crown. I’ve been in the audience of many Teen and Miss local and state pageants from a very young age and the girls never cease to amaze and inspire me. Additionally, it is helpful to watch an actual competition to know what would be expected as a contestant, help create ideas for potential platform issues and reinforce the importance and positivity of being part of this organization.

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?
Fortunately, being a titleholder in this system allows us all to use the power of our crowns for this purpose. Every time we volunteer, speak or share our talents in our community is an opportunity for us to change that stereotype. The more visible we are and the more people learn about us and our commitment to community service and educational excellence, the more we can help people understand what this program is truly about.


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?
After already meeting all of the contestants, I feel like each and every one would accomplish the goal I would have for them – to enjoy every second of their year of service and strive to make a difference in some way every single day.

Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. Tell our readers what make you “bravura.”
I am bravura because I refuse to give up. I will continue to work as hard as I possibly can to do what I love while helping others along the way. I’ve learned that the tough moments are the ones that truly define us. When those moments happen, we can give up or we can rise up. I am bravura because I choose to rise!

Where can fans follow you on social media?
You can follow me on Instagram @mnboteen, and on Facebook @missnewbedford, as well as @youcanriseup.

Do you have any final words for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
Yes! Readers, remember that no matter what life throws at you, you are stronger than you think! Stay positive, be kind and help others. That’s how we can all help each other to rise up. #RiseUp #StrongerThanYouThink.