The road to Miss America is never an easy one; and last year, we had the opportunity to meet many of the young women who were vying for the title of Miss America 2018. During MAOTeen in Orlando, we had the chance to catch up with some of the state title-holders, and also in Atlantic City, during Miss America. One such contestant was Miss Indiana 2017, Haley Begay, a Journalism & Spanish major, who originally hails from Pittsboro, Indiana. This was an exciting moment for Begay because she became the 78th Miss Indiana, at 19 years old! As a vocalist, she took to the Miss America stage strongly, and strongly represented her platform issue, “Don’t Silence the Violence: A Voice for Children of Domestic Violence.” It was through her work with the charity Begay founded, “Domestic Dollars,” and the two children’s programs she has created, she is determined to continue making a difference by ensuring violence will no longer be silenced. As Begay prepares to pass on her crown to a new title-holder, and life after being Miss Indiana, we caught up with her for an exclusive interview. Continue reading to see what Haley’ experience as Miss Indiana 2017 has been like.

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How does one balance the title of Miss Indiana, and so much more at the same time?
Balancing Miss Indiana has been a trial and error experience for me this year. I decided to return to IU for spring semester which most Miss Indianas do not do. I thought that I’d have a greater impact as Miss Indiana on campus and be able to reach more people…and I was! However, it was difficult to balance school work with many appearances. I had to take an online class and even a class by Skype so that I could have a more flexible schedule! I knew what I could handle and although it was hard, I just finished my last final today. I made it!

Tell our readers a bit about how you prepared for competing in the Miss Indiana system? How did you use what you learned at a local level in preparing for the national pageant? What challenges did you face in preparing for Miss America?
I have been competing in pageants since I was 11 years old and always strove to be Miss Indiana someday. I had it all planned out! I was hopefully going to be Miss Indiana after I graduated from college and have the best year of my life! Surprisingly, I won my second year competing at age 19 and I absolutely could not believe it. It was not in my life schedule to win so early so I quickly had to adjust my life plans for that year! It took me five tries to win my first local which kept me humble and motivated to do better each and every time I competed. Before Miss America, I was nervous about being the second youngest contestant but I knew it was beyond my control and that I had so many amazing role models that I could look up to and that could help me make my Miss America experience wonderful! And they did!


What has been three of your most memorable experiences, while serving as Miss Indiana for your state?
The first indication that it was going to be a great year was that my local teen won Miss Indiana’s Outstanding Teen! Not only did we get to prep for Miss Indiana together under the Metropolitan local team, but we had the opportunity to prepare for nationals together and made history by being two winners from the same local. The second memorable experience that I had was when I spoke to a group of schoolchildren and told them how I was overweight and overlooked until I got much older. A little girl came up to me after I spoke and said, “how you used to be when you were younger is how I am right now.” I wanted to save that little girl so bad but I’ve never forgotten her and I hope she’s hanging in there. My third memory that I absolutely cherish is when a local titleholder told me that she observed that I genuinely care for the other local titleholders and she loves how I talk to them and check in. That made me so joyful and I cannot thank her enough for being so sweet to me that day!

How have you striven to not only promote your personal platform, but also your national platform towards Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals?
Don’t Silence the Violence: Domestic Violence Awareness has been my passion not only this year but for the three years I’ve competed in MAO (teen year included). I have been able to share my personal experience with sexual assault and hopefully have inspired many to use their voice loudly and speak out for those who can’t, children in particular. My charity, “Domestic Dollars,” has raised many funds this year for abuse shelters in need. For Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, I decided to join an Indiana University Dance Marathon committee. To serve CMN Hospitals at my university with other students who truly want to help save children has been one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had in college thus far.


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?
Gretchen is going to be a breath of fresh air for this organization. She knows what it takes to be Miss America, a powerful woman in today’s society, and how to inspire. Hearing the news about MAO’s leadership had my heart broken, but I am so grateful that the organization bounced back immediately and is discussing new ways to better this program! Can’t wait to see what happens next!

It seems that we’re heading into a path towards women empowerment with these changes; what advice do you have for young women who are looking to step in to the Miss America Organization?
Never let somebody tell you that you can’t. Whether it’s a friend, boyfriend, or random person, it doesn’t matter who they are. As long as you are comfortable in your own skin and know who you are, the world is your oyster!! Go get it! I never thought I was talented enough to be Miss Indiana but here I am. With prayer, practice, and perseverance, anything can happen.


Pageants, in general, are so highly criticized by so many people across the world. What do you have to say to those who speak negatively about pageants?
Try it before you criticize it. Like everything in life, you must experience it before you voice a strong opinion. You can’t say you hate sushi if you haven’t tried it right? Usually if people express concern about pageants, I immediately tell them it’s the largest scholarship provider for women in the country and that it has given me countless opportunities to get my foot in the door for jobs. I tell them all the wonderful friends I have made from the local to the national level. I have had the opportunity to perform and speak in front of thousands of people this year and I wouldn’t trade this title for the world even if some disapprove.

How do you define yourself as a role-model for others?
My adopted platform this year is that I am authentically Haley. I may be young but I am certainly mighty. My life has not come without struggles and heartache. I hope my message has inspired many, but especially young people who feel they aren’t good enough or ready to conquer the world yet.

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?
I believe that America’s young generation thinks they have all the time in the world to make something of themselves when in reality, they need to start hustling now! I go to Indiana University where I have seen numerous college students make mistakes based on one fun party where they messed up. While it is great to be young and live it up every day, young people need to keep in mind that nothing so small as a fun night should have the power to jeopardize their future. To overcome this, we need more young people who aren’t afraid to decline risky offers. Lots of times, people will follow suit if they see that others aren’t participating!


Now that your reign as Miss Indiana, is coming to an end, what are your future plans?
Two weeks after Miss Indiana is over, I am going to the Dominican Republic to study Spanish for a month! I cannot wait to further my education and get to experience a new culture. Once I return, I will go back to IU where I will start my junior year. I hope to get on the Dean’s List every semester and gain wonderful internships with news stations. No matter what happens, I want to be happy!

Regardless of whoever becomes the new Miss Indiana, what is one goal you have for her, which you hope she is able to accomplish during her reign?
I know each and every girl who is up for the title of Miss Indiana and I know whoever is crowned will be wonderful and I genuinely mean that. I want the future Miss IN to be happy and always feel the need to inspire. My director once told me that people will always remember the day they met Miss Indiana. I want those people to remember her as kind, smart, witty, and ambitious. I don’t mind how she finishes at Miss America. All’s that matters is how she finishes her year as Miss Indiana.

What words of advice do you have for the new class of contestants who are getting ready to compete for your title?
You are not competing to necessarily be a celebrity or a public figure. You are competing to be a servant for your state. Try not to turn down any appearance and make sure you are always smiling and shining wherever you go. Yes, it may get tiring sometimes, but there is plenty of time to sleep when you’re thirty!!


What words of thanks for you have for your director, Aren and Steve Straiger?
Wow. My second family for this year (and every year after this) has been nothing short of amazing. Aren and Steve have provided me with wonderful advice, resources, and their love for this whole year and I could not be more appreciative. I will always remember our many dinner outings, laughs, and that huge spreadsheet filled with current events in preparation for Miss America! They never put too much pressure on me and only wanted me to be Haley and try my absolute best! They let me be myself and didn’t try to change who I was. I love you two to the moon, sun, and Pluto, and back around again.

Who else would you like to thank for supporting you throughout this journey?
My mother; she was diagnosed with brain cancer two weeks after I was crowned Miss Indiana. She never wanted me to turn down any appearance for her. She always said, “This is your year. Do not let my sickness get in the way. I’ll be fine.” Mommas never lie! She is cancer free and on the road to recovery! She always believed in me and knew I could win Miss Indiana someday. I would like to thank the rest of my family, my sponsors, my teen, and the state of Indiana for supporting my long-time dream.

Where can people follow you on social media post-reign?
Instagram: haley_begay, and Twitter: haleybegay.

What final words do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
Thank you for supporting all of us titleholders and for digging deeper to find what sets our souls on fire!!