The next contestant to be featured as part of our series, "The Road to Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen 2018," is Julia Bauer. Continue reading to learn more about Julia and her journey to the crown!

Tweet

For those who may not be familiar with you, tell our readers a bit about yourself and your background within the pageant world.
Just like so many others, I grew up watching the Miss America, USA, and Universe pageants, imagining a life where that could be me. It wasn’t until last January that I competed in my first local, placing first runner up. Being a part of the Miss America organization I’ve gained new friendships, lessons, and a confidence I never knew was in me. The stage is my home so being in a pageant just fit so perfectly into my life.

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 that to be successful is something to be proud of, whether it be in your service by helping one person or one hundred, gaining scholarships to schools, or being a role model to little girls. No matter how big or small, you can make an impact in your world and in other people’s lives.


During Carly’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?
Carly has been such a great representative for our state and for her work with Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, and something she has shown throughout her year is her passion and dedication to everything she does. Whenever she shows up and at hospital, classroom, or event, she is there with a smile and an eagerness that I hope I can emulate if I were to win.

What have you learned from our current Miss Massachusetts , Carly Fisher, that can help you be a better outstanding teen?
I met Carly at my first local and she said to us win or lose we should all feel so proud of what we were able to accomplish, and if we decided to compete again, we can come back stronger and more knowledgeable. I hope I have the chance in life to try new things, learn from them, and come back stronger and wiser, and maybe one day share my experience with others to help them to also learn and grow.

Please share with our readers your platform and why you’ve chosen to advocate for it.
My platform is Music and Arts Education. I have chosen this because I come from a public school with a low budget music and arts program, so I have experienced first-hand just how little these programs receive. Over time we have seen just how much these programs are being tossed aside and told to fend for themselves. I know my life has improved so much since being involved and I want to let other kids feel the same way.


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 hope to show my generation and older generations that you don’t have to be a Broadway star, or know how to play Mozart, but if you love the feeling when you sing, dance, or even paint, there should be a space for you to do that with the right equipment and teachers to help you grow. I have been fortunate enough to receive training outside of school but I know some kids don’t have that option, so we need to make it accessible to everyone.

Tell us about your talent and the decisions you made in proceeding with this talent.
For my talent, I will be singing “Journey to the Past” from the movie and now Broadway musical Anastasia. I have been singing since the third grade when I first joined my school’s chorus. From there my love for being on the stage grew and I ventured out to musical theater. I have now done theater for almost 6 years and I continue to grow into a more mature actress with each show I do. I just recently played my first lead role (Elle Woods) in my school’s production of Legally Blonde, which was definitely a challenge but also super fun.

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?
Although I do not have a title, from being in a pageant I have learned that if you want it, go for it. Don’t worry what others will think because in then end your family and friends will support you no matter what. Also make sure that your platform is something you are really passionate about and won’t mind talking about for a year if you do win. Finally always be yourself because that’s the best you can be.

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 media has always shown pageant queens as girls who compete only on their looks, but being a part of this organization I can say that is not true at all. For me I am not the skinniest or tallest but I am smart, bold and confident in who I am. I can be a pageant girl, a sports player, and a student without sacrificing my beauty, and that’s what this organization is all about, anyone can be a Miss America.

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 hope she will work hard with her platform to make sure she can do everything with that title to promote it, and also I hope she remembers her roots and what the organization stands for, because the judges chose you to become Miss Massachusetts’ Outstanding Teen because of who you are and what you want to do, not because you’re just another pretty face.


Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. Tell our readers what make you “bravura.”
What makes me “bravura” is my passion and dedication for everything I do, and all the care, love, and time that goes into it.

Where can fans follow you on social media?
They can follow me @juliaaa.bauerrr, on Instagram or Snapchat.

Do you have any final words for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
If you have always wanted to do something, go out and do it. Who cares what people will think or say, it is your choice and that’s all that matters. Every single person is beautiful and unique and that’s what makes us so special, we are all part of this world striving to be the best we can and that is all anyone can hope to do