The next contestant to be featured as part of our series, “The Road to Miss Connecticut 2018,” is the reigning Miss Greater Rockville, JoJo Shields. JoJo is eager to share with our readers by she could be the 90th Miss Connecticut and head over to Atlantic City this September, and compete for the title of Miss America! Continue reading to learn more about JoJo and her journey to the crown!

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What does being Miss Connecticut 2018 mean to you?
More specifically, being the 90th Miss Connecticut would be such an incredible honor. I have been participating and competing in the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Organization for seven years. This organization is about something bigger than me. When I first began competing as a senior in high school, I wanted to wear a pretty dress and be on a stage. Throughout my years competing, as present and as disappointed as I was when I didn’t walk away with the Miss Connecticut title, I realized that I was not capable of doing the job. Through finding a platform that aligns with my career, doing to hard work to fundraise and strengthen the partnership between CMN Hospitals and the Miss America Organization, signing on sponsors, fostering the development of programs and implementing them throughout healthcare organizations, I have grown into a brand defined as a provider, a hard worker, a passionate woman, and a woman who stands strong in her convictions. The Miss Connecticut title and values are directly aligned with my own both as a nurse and a titleholder. It is my turn to give back to the organization that has given me so much.

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?
I have learned through my experience that your year as a titleholder is what you make of it. You can be as involved or as disengaged as you choose. I participate in this program because it has been a vehicle for change; it has provided me a larger platform and microphone to the state of Connecticut to promote what I am passionate in and to make a change. I have lived this lifestyle and believe the crown would only help to further enhance and promote my mission and grow on the national level. I prepare by living my platform day in and day out. By networking and interfacing with members of my community and marketing this program, I continue to spread awareness and familiarize myself with the job title of Miss Connecticut. Searching for appearances and reaching out to community members has opened many doors; I have been able to learn about many different avenues of healthcare and broaden my platform. Becoming more independent and taking initiative in my preparation has been key. By orchestrating mock interviews, finding appearances, and reaching out to individuals from all walks of life has allowed me to DO the job and DO the work to prepare for the title of Miss CT.



What has been three of your most memorable experiences, since being crowned Miss Greater Rockville?

1. Rockville High School Cupcake Wars: I attended the seventh annual Rockville High School Cupcake Wars to raise money for the Hole in the Wall Gang and MS. Students paired with a teacher mentor and were given three different candies. They were challenged with creating and decorating a backdrop and theme for their three unique cupcakes. Hundreds of people poured into the high school hallway to taste, purchase, and build their own cupcakes. Having a cupcake and cake decorating side business, I was right in my element at this event. As Miss Connecticut in preparation for the national competition, I plan on bringing this event back to Rockville High School to honor my local roots and fundraise for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
2. Cupcake Class: I combined by education skills, baking skills, and a ton of fun to teach a cake and cupcake decorating class and raised over $1,000 for the kids! Being able to combine things I am passionate about and raise money for a cause close to my heart turns fundraising into FUNraising- this is one way to get our younger generation involved in our community and teach them to give back.
3. Lobby at the state capitol for Healthcare: It is so important that I use my title as a platform to speak on behalf of issues in our country and state that deserve attention. Healthcare reform is a fluid, ever changing and evolving issue. As a titleholder and nurse, it is my responsibility to be physically present when decisions are being made around healthcare. By attending the forum on mental health, I was able to hear our legislators opinions on where funding should be allocated to stabilize the environment for recovering addicts to halt the cyclic rebound effects when leaving rehabilitation services and transitioning back to their everyday lives.

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?
I have grown into a platform that is directly aligned with the national platform. My hope is to continue in Eliza’s legacy and continue to strengthen the working relationship between the Miss Connecticut Organization and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals by fundraising and becoming physically present in children’s hospitals throughout the state to advocate for my patients and their families.

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 must look at the changes and relevancy to Connecticut, first and foremost. I consider this organization to be under phenomenal leadership. With the latest news and developments regarding the #metoo movement, we are so lucky to have one of the women affected directly by this movement sit at the helm of an organization that values empowerment. It is time we step into the brand we have always claimed to be and move proactively in a forward direction.

What advice do you have for young women who are looking to step into the Miss America Organization?
Stay true to yourself, yet always be open to learn. Work hard, and never give up on your dreams, even when nobody else believes they can come true but you. These are not clichés, but real tools you need no matter what you do in life to stay focused on your path. One of the most important things I have learned is to not depend on others to pave your path to success. Sometimes we spend an inordinate amount of time talking about our ideas, dreams, and aspirations. It is easy to be content with ourselves by simply having lofty ideas, not realizing their sheer abundance. However, this system has taught me to be a “doer.” Let go of the stigma of failure, set goals, and surpass them. Every failure is a learning lesson on your path to success. I have learned to move past mental barriers to unlock potential- nothing is beyond your capability. This organization offers great scholarship, networking opportunities, branding opportunities, and the capability to express yourself in a different capacity; as a titleholder, I am a protector, an advocate, a role model, a performer, a caregiver, a fundraiser, and a voice of reason. Mark Twain stated, “The secret to getting ahead is getting started.”


How do you define yourself as a role-model for others?
There is often stigma surrounding pageantry. I welcome that “scrutinizing” eye because it provides an outlet and opportunity to dispel myths and preconceived notions about pageantry and the women involved in the Miss America Organization. We are caring, intelligent women who build their characters based on the pillars of scholarship, service, success, and style. We come together with different values, backgrounds, talents, and platforms which all add body and dimension to the program. I am forever grateful to this organization for the friendships, business partnerships, service opportunities, and scholarship dollars it has provided to me.

What do you think is the biggest challenge which is facing the young generation of America today? And how can we work together to overcome it?
Lack of accountability- do not blame others for your wrong doings or failures. It is time we take responsibility for our own actions and learn from them. We should not expect things to be handed to us, but rather work hard and earn them.

Regardless of whoever 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?
Your year as a titleholder is what you make of it. My hope is that the next Miss Connecticut is able to be a doer and make tangible changes in the lives around her. My goal as Miss CT would be to raise the scholarship for every competitor. Signing on partnerships is a way to market and build this program, something each Miss CT can pride herself on. We are so lucky to live in a state where our state representatives truly embody what it means to be a state titleholder and do the hard work to put our state on the map.


Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. What makes you a “bravura” candidate for Miss Connecticut?
I truly believe that everyone has as an aspect of Bravura in them. Mine rises to the surface in my interactions with people every day. I am a “people person” and my strengths lie in communicating and reaching out to others in times of need and vulnerability. Both as a nurse and a titleholder, I strive to be relatable and down to earth; the more people trust, the more they open up and gravitate to me. I thoroughly enjoy making those small connections with people, especially children. Everyone has a story to share. So many of the children I have met through pediatric nursing and through MAO have taught  me more than I could ever teach them; they have a different way of looking at the world with a sense of peace, harmony, and innocence that is truly enlightening. This always shines light on positivity and allows me to open my eyes to a new perspective.

What words of thanks do you have for those who have supported you on this journey?
Volunteers are the heart, soul, and bones that this organization thrives on. It is important to remember that although the titleholders are the ones who often find themselves in the spotlight, it is the hard-working, dedicated, selfless individuals that prepare us, support us, and stand with us that make the difference. A simple “thank you” would never suffice. The people involved in this organization truly give their heart and soul to the program and their girls. The countless hours of preparation and dollars from their own pockets that they willingly and generously provide, put them in a spotlight far brighter than I can put into words.

My family and friends are my roots and my anchors. My mom and I often joke that we should write a book with all of the outlandish, crazy, unpredictable situations we’ve encountered through my years competing in MAO. She has taught me to stay level headed, grow a thick skin, allow my happiness and passion for all I do to translate into every interaction I make, to always stay true to who I am as authentically “JoJo”, and to always stay positive despite negativity.

Where can people follow you on social media?
JoJo Facebook,
Miss Greater Rockville Facebook,
JoJo Instagram, and Miss Greater Rockville Instagram.

What final words do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine and those following you on social media?
The Miss America Organization is so incredibly lucky to partner with the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals as our national platform. As titleholder’s, we work diligently through our year of service to raise funds for the children. Working in pediatrics has been both humbling and eye opening; my platform is directly aligned with the MAO national platform. I am lucky enough to be able to combine my love for children and service to provide much needed funding to an amazing cause. Every dollar counts!