As a former patient of Connecticut’s own Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, 21-year-old Jillian Duffy, the current Miss Forestville 2018, is ready to take the Miss Connecticut stage by storm. She has been proudly advocating for not jut CMNH, but also her personal platform, “Jillian’s Journey: Providing Actionable Inspiration for a Better Life and a Better Future.” Continue reading to learn more about Jillian and her journey to the crown!

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What does being Miss Connecticut 2018 mean to you?
It would be an honor to follow in the footsteps of so many dedicated and hardworking women who have held this title. Being Miss Connecticut has been a dream of mine since I have been 8 years old, and I have continuously worked towards this goal. As Miss Connecticut, I will travel the state, promoting my platform, “Jillian’s Journey: Providing Actionable Inspiration for a Better Life and a Better Future” as well as sharing my own personal battle with cancer in hopes of inspiring the power of positive thinking. I will also be fortunate enough to be an ambassador for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, an organization very close to my heart. I have a very personal connection with our state’s Miracle Network Hospital, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, where I have been a patient since my diagnosis with Leukemia in 2010. My mission is to give back to the hospital that has given to myself and my family, through a combination of fundraising, soliciting donations, and even offering and spreading positive outlook and thoughts as I have been in their shoes myself!

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?
This year I approached my preparation for Miss Connecticut different than I have in the past. I think the most significant change I made was in my mindset. I had to learn how to be truer to myself. This year I learned to become more accepting of my imperfections leading me to be much more comfortable and confident in my abilities, who I am and what I have to offer.

What has been three of your most memorable experiences, since being crowned Miss Forestville?
Forestville, Connecticut has a strong commitment to our Veterans and as such I was asked to attend and sing the National Anthem at the Veterans Day and the 3^rd Annual 4 Chaplains Ceremonies. Both ceremonies memorialized service men and women who paid the ultimate price and honored those who fought for the freedoms we all enjoy today. It was great to see the town come together to pay tribute to our service men and women.

Another memorable experience was working at a soup kitchen on Miss America Serves Day. I spent much of the morning with two young boys who were living with their grandmother. They were so excited and proud to show me the bird houses they built that morning at the local Home Depot. I was able to explain to them all about the service aspect of the Miss America organization and how volunteering can be simple and fun. Towards the end of their visit, they asked if they could help me with anything so we cleaned up the dining area together.  They left with a big smile but an even bigger impression on my heart.

How have you strived to not only promote your personal platform, but also help raise money for the MAO’s national platform, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals?
As a cancer survivor and patient of Connecticut’s own Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, I shared my story at various events such as Vie for the Kids, Husky-Thon and a local radio-thon all of which raises funds for Connecticut Children’s Medical Center.  While these events have helped raise funds, my ultimate goal is to always empower those listening. My message is simple and clear; with dedication and determination, anything is possible.


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?
We work so hard to break misconceptions about the Miss America pageant being a beauty pageant. When you hear stories of inappropriate treatment of women from those running the organization, it undermines all of the hard work everyone has done to change the perception. I am confident that Gretchen Carlson and the new board, the majority of which are strong women who have been part of the Miss America organization, can help right the ship and continue to break stereotypes about this wonderful organization.

What advice do you have for young women who are looking to step in to the Miss America Organization?
I would explain to her all of the benefits of being part of this organization. Not only do you experience the true sisterhood but also you build strong friendships with the other contestants. I would also explain how being a part of this organization helps build confidence, further enhances your public speaking skills as well as provides a larger platform to promote a cause that is near and dear to you.

How do you define yourself as a role-model for others?
I have lived a lot in my 21 years. My experiences have shaped me into the woman I am today. I know for a fact that my determination and a positive attitude has gotten me through many difficult situations. I feel that in sharing my story about some of the obstacles I had to overcome and how my positive thinking and a positive attitude helped me through many tough times, can be applicable to others going through their own struggles. Whether you are dealing with health issues, not doing well in school, having issues with your friends or being bullied, a positive attitude, reaching out for assistance and learning something from every experience will help you get through those tough times in 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?
I feel one of the biggest challenges facing the younger generation stems from the fact that we are all spoiled with instant gratification and at times get easily defeated when life presents challenges. We need to provide the necessary tools and coping skills to help the younger generation deal with challenges placed before them. This can be done by helping them with goal setting, encouraging and uplifting social media messages and by helping them find peace with themselves.

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?
With the recent events with the former Miss America board, one goal of the new Miss Connecticut is to promote the organization and help others understand what the Miss America organization stands for.

Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. What makes you a “bravura” candidate for Miss Connecticut?
I think my life experiences has taught me how to overcome obstacles and use the experiences in my life to build character and more importantly, the ability to inspire and relate to others I feel that being able to relate to a large population is vital to being Miss Connecticut.

What words of advice do you have for the new class of contestants who are getting ready to compete for your title?
I would say to stay true to yourself. You will get a lot of advice and hear many different opinions. It is up to each contestant to decide on which advice and who’s opinions are most closely related to who you are. While it is great to get advice, at the end of the day, you have to be comfortable with who you are on stage and during the other phases of competition.

What words of thanks do you have for those who have supported you on this journey?
There have been so many people that have helped me along my journey, many of which still have no idea of how much of an impact they have been on my life. From the doctors and nurses and Connecticut Children’s Medical Center to the current and former Miss Connecticuts to my family and friends, you have no idea of the impact you have had on my life and truly thank you for supporting me over the years. Your love, friendship and dedication has helped me through some very trying times and I sincerely thank you.

Where can people follow you on social media?
You can follow me on Facebook, just search Miss Forestville 2018!

What final words do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine and those following you on social media?
I want to encourage others to hopelessly follow their dreams, no matter how impossible they may seem at the moment. Continue on your journey with inspiration, positivity, and perseverance, and eventually everything will fall into place.