The Road to Miss America is one of many different paths. And today we begin a journey to Miss Connecticut, where an amazing CT Class of 2018 are all vying for the title of Miss Connecticut, currently held by the lovely Eliza Kanner. We started our relationship with the CT-crew when we happened to meet Eliza as her MAO sister Jillian Zucco was being crowned as Miss Massachusetts 2017! From there it was history! After an amazing photoshoot, the relationship blossomed even more! We are excited to share with the readers of Bravura Magazine our next state series, “The Road To Miss Connecticut.” We kick off the series with the first contestant, Miss Greater Waterbury 2018, Danielle Radeke. Continue reading to learn all about Danielle and her journey to the crown!

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What does being Miss Connecticut 2018 mean to you?
Miss Connecticut is not her title, but the impact she can impress upon her state and the good she can do with the title. Each Miss Connecticut is a different woman with a different platform, as is every woman that competes for the title, but they are all united by the desire to do the greatest amount of good they can do for the greatest amount of people. Whether I win this June or come in last place, I see this opportunity as a chance to use my unique abilities and passions to bring about a unique and positive change, and likewise, see this experience bring about a positive change in my sisters and me.

Tell our readers a bit about how you prepared for competing in the Miss Connecticut system? What challenges did you face in preparing for Miss Connecticut?
The best way to prepare for any competition or opportunity is to identify the traits in yourself that equip you to be in this role and to do it well. Likewise, it is vital to look within and find what you can improve upon, and take those improvements not as a sign of weakness, but as an opportunity for growth. Before I even embarked on this journey I did a lot of soul searching in order to best strategize how I wanted to go about being a titleholder this year, and how I could do the greatest amount of good in whatever title I’m given, whether it’s at the local, state, or national title. I prayed a lot, asking God to guide me in the position I knew He had called me to, and He answered that prayer and continues to answer it daily.

Furthermore, I started training technically in every way. I wake up at 4am to go to my boxing classes, and have begun personal training sessions along with my regular gym routine. I go to vocal coaching and have been coached in walking. I participate in mock interviews and actively interview myself when I’m driving or just sitting quietly. Furthermore, I am actively trying to not just listen to the news, but question what I can do to take what is going on in the world and make it better. I have completed my Miss Connecticut 2018 wardrobe and am thrilled to reveal it. Finally, I go to every appearance I can, knowing that this is the opportunity to not just bring about good, but prepare myself to potentially take on a larger role. Jim Elliot once said a quote I live my: “Wherever you are, be all there.” That is the attitude I take into training and preparing for the job of a lifetime.

It is not always easy to be in this position, and anyone that pretends that the life of a titleholder is all glitz and dresses and makeup is not realistically portraying the job. I cannot remember the last time I slept in, and being a full time nursing student that is highly involved on top of being a Miss America titleholder means that there are days when I do not have a moment to myself. I spend a lot of time travelling for appearances, and since my family still lives in New Jersey, I sometimes travel up to four hours one way to fulfill my duties as a titleholder. And, as with everyone, there are moments of doubt when I wonder if I have what it takes to go all the way. In these moments, I stop and remember the voice of God and His hand moving in my life, and the sovereign omniscience of Christ. I believe with every fiber of my being that I am meant to be here, and in every moment at every appearance, I can’t help but feel blessed to have this title. I love every moment of being a titleholder, and believe it is the hurdles that will make me a stronger runner as I run the race toward the finish line.


What has been three of your most memorable experiences, since being crowned Miss Greater Waterbury?
Being crowned of course was a big one for me! I remember having no idea how I did in Miss Greater Waterbury, or if I would even get a title that day. I had been working very hard to earn a title for the 2018 season, and nothing had seemed to click. As I stood on that stage, my heart was pounding, but I felt completely at peace, knowing what was meant to be would be. As they called runner up and Miss Southbury (the second title we awarded that day), my heartbeat quickened, and I felt as though God was saying “This is your moment.” And it was! My name was called and my heart exploded with joy, and I vowed to give all I was and am to this title, and allow it to shape me over my year of service.

A second moment that was surreal for me was during the Waterbury Board of Education appearance I had booked to thank them for sponsoring our theater space for the pageant. I had driven four hours from NJ for a ten-minute appearance. I was flustered because the traffic had me running late, and the location of the meeting was changed last minute. I made it just on time, and was able to thank the Board and those in attendance for their support of our organization, and then speak on my personal platform: The Ronald McDonald House Charities. I will never forget one of the commissioners leaning into the microphone in front of him, and saying “we usually never respond to those that speak before us, but I need to thank you for what you are doing.” He explained that he had two premature grandchildren that stayed in the Ronald McDonald House of Connecticut, and that experience took great financial burden off of the family and made a bad situation more bearable. He then stood and shook my hand, thanking me once again. I could not stop smiling. The four-hour one-way drive (which I repeated after I spoke!) was worth it just for that one moment.

Finally, one of my favorite appearances was with the Greater Waterbury Campership Fund. We went to the Palace Theater (Where Miss Connecticut 2018 will be held!) and got to watch the performance of Jersey Boys, while raising money to send local kids to camp. We even got to go on the Jersey Boys stage to speak for the cause. The theater geek in me was so excited! It felt like I had come full circle, as Jersey Boys is the show my talent song came from last year (“Oh What a Night”). Meeting the patrons of the theater and raising funds for a good cause at a play I love was an indescribable experience, and our goal was to send two kids to camp, but we raised enough to send five!


How have you striven to not only promote your personal platform, but also help raise money for the MAO’s national platform, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals?
My personal platform is the Ronald McDonald House Charities, which provides a home away from home for children and their families as they are treated at local hospitals. It takes away the financial burden of trying to find a hotel or other lodging long term. I promote it by speaking on it at nearly every event I attend, going to fundraisers, and my personal favorite, attending “Dancing Under the Stars” which is like “Dancing With the Stars” and raised money for the New Haven house. Seeing 550 people supporting RMH was amazing!

As for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, I, like most, promote it often on my social media and daily life, but I’m especially fortunate to be spending my last semester of nursing school at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center’s Waterbury Campus, which is a CMNHospital. I have the unique opportunity of being able to see where our donations go and be a part of enacting the great good those funds can do. I also am organizing a talent show on April 27^th where funds will go toward CMNH and MAO! (Anyone that is interested can sign up here! Info on my social media pages! I also like to think that in my role as a nursing student and soon to be practicing registered nurse, I promote Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals through my holistic, compassionate, and skilled care at CCMC. Even beyond my Miss America years, I hope to continue to promote my platform and CMNH through my words and deeds.


With the recent news which has been brought up in regards to the former Miss America Org. board, what do you hope the future of the MAO holds with their new Chairwoman, Gretchen Carlson?
I am very optimistic as I look at MAO’s future with Gretchen Carlson as our new Chairwoman. She has the high ideals of a Miss America and the experience of competition in her past, along with empathy and passion for those within the organization. Her innovative ideas bring a new hope to the organization, and I hope that she brings about a renewed era of trust within the Miss America Organization, as well as a break in the stigma that comes with competing for Miss America or any pageant.

What advice do you have for young women who are looking to step in to the Miss America Organization?
Just go for it! I can guarantee you will never regret competing. You grow so much from every experience as a competitor and titleholder, whether you win or lose. As you take the first step on this amazing journey, be prepared to take on a job, not just a crown. It is a wonderful way to enact good, but if you are serious about it, it will take hard work and commitment. I genuinely believe every woman has a place in MAO if she wants to be here, and every titleholder has the potential to be our next Miss America. It is an organization of beautiful opportunity, and it will change you, but it will be the most beautiful growth.


How do you define yourself as a role-model for others?
I try to live my life in such a way that others will always have nothing negative to say. Even when no one is around, I try to live looking toward a high calling. Similarly, I try to be a leader of this generation, also realizing that a good leader is a servant. I hope that I live my life in such a way that others watch it and desire to emulate it, as I have with many strong people in my own life.


What do you think is the biggest challenge which is facing the young generation of America today? And how can we work together to over-come it?
We live in a country that divided in ideology and opinion, and though Americans once prided ourselves in our differences many now revile against each other, condemning those that have a different opinion. There is nothing wrong with disagreement, but when that difference in opinion is not prefaced by respect, a society that should be unified despite and through differences become severely divided, and the entire infrastructure crumbles. We have encouraged youth to become politically active for decades, but now they have been put in a position where they are required to be due to the intolerance and violence they have experienced. Furthermore, now that our youth becomes politically active as we once hope they would be, people now degrade them and bully them, discrediting them as youth that “can’t know anything about our society,” despite having lived here their entire lives. I am proud of the strength and resilience our youth has shown in the face of division, and pray that they are the generation that mends our broken country and shows respect to all, whether or not they themselves receive it.

Regardless of whomever wins the title of Miss Connecticut 2018, what is one goal you have for the new title-holder, which you hope she is able to accomplish during her reign?
Whomever wins this wonderful title of Miss Connecticut 2018, I pray that she has a purpose-driven reign. I pray she competes for this job (and it is a job!) not for the title but for the impact the title carries. I pray she comes into the position with goals in mind and that she accomplishes every single one. Whatever she does, for we will all take a unique spin on the position, I pray that she does it with purpose.

Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. What makes you a “bravura” candidate for Miss Connecticut?
I am “bravura” because I am unapologetically myself, and use my unique self to bring about a unique impact on the world around me, and likewise, recognize the wonderful personalities of those around me and try to learn something new from everyone I meet.

What words of advice do you have for the new class of contestants who are getting ready to compete for your title?
To the Class of 2018: Whether I have known you a long time or just met you recently, I am so proud to be your sister. I am constantly amazed looking at your accomplishments and realizing that I am counted a peer among these astounding young women. I pray you all have the experience of a lifetime, whether you walk away with the crown, finalist, Top 10, or non-finalist. You should all be incredibly proud just to have made it this far…I can’t wait to take this journey with you all.

What words of thanks do you have for those who have supported you on this journey?
To God: Thank you for this life and title you have blessed me with.

To my family: I hope you know how incredibly grateful I am for each word and action of support you have given me, even from New Jersey. I hope I make you proud, because I am proud to be your daughter and sister.

To Austin: To you, I’ve always been Miss America, and I can’t thank you enough for how deeply you believe in me.

To Miss Connecticut 2017, Eliza: Your friendship means the world to me, and I take every bit of advice you graciously give to heart. Being your successor would be a dream come true, and I recognize that I would have big (little!) shoes to fill. Whoever you crown this June, I appreciate you for taking the time to mentor us all, as I know you will continue to do when you are a forever.

To Sal/The Miss Greater Waterbury team: Thank you all for believing I have the qualities of Miss Connecticut, and for taking time out of your busy lives to get me as prepared as I can be. Each of you that has helped me, whether it be by mock interviewing me, being my personal trainer, reading my paperwork, helping me practice walking or talent, and then-some, you are the reason I will hit the stage as confident as I can be.

Where can people follow you on social media?
Facebook: Miss Greater Waterbury 2018 – Danielle Radeke.
Instagram: @missgreaterwaterbury2018, or my personal account, @iamjustdandi.

What final words do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine and those following you on social media?
Thank you all for supporting me on this journey, and for believing in me and the cause I am fighting for. I am proud to represent the Greater Waterbury area this 2018 season!