Last year, at the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen pageant after-party, I had the chance to get to know a wonderful young girl, as we danced the night away. Tia Moua, is the reigning Miss Washington’s Outstanding Teen, and what a year she has had! From balancing her high school education, to advocating for her platform, and making trips to Atlantic City to support her big sister, Nicole Renard, Tia has been doing it all...while keeping a smile on her face. Continue reading to learn more about Tia, her time as MAOTeenWA, and what lies in her future!

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How does one balance a teenage lifestyle, title of MAOTeen Washington, a high school career, and so much more at the same time?
I balance different activities in my life with my title by prioritizing and staying organized. I make sure to put my education first by staying on track with my school assignments because I really value my education. Also, I keep a calendar to organize different appearances, dance-related activities and other events. I communicate with my parents and director, as well, so that we are on the same page about where I am going to be at and what I will be doing at events. Then, I also make sure to spend time with my family, friends, and those I love. This crammed schedule does require a lack of sleep, but it is all worth it!


Tell our readers a bit about how you prepared for competing in MAOTeen? What challenges did you face in preparing for MAOTeen?
I prepared for competing at Miss America’s Outstanding Teen by working on strengthening myself in all four phases of competition. I practiced many mock interviews with different panels of judges. I enjoyed working with a fitness trainer, Brian Attebery, to improve my diet and exercise by eating clean foods that fueled my body and staying active with various exercises on top of my dancing. It was also very helpful training with pageant coach, Liz McGlynn, to practice interviews via Skype. I walked in my heels often around my house, too, so that I could break them in. Another thing I did to prepare was rehearsing my talent several hours per week, which was a jazz dance called, “Remedy.” One challenge I faced was seeing results and preparing for the fitness competition. Even though I felt tired at times, I still pushed through my exercises which included push-ups, squats, sit-ups and some weight-lifting. Also, many times I wanted to give on to cravings, and although I definitely had “cheat days,” preparing for nationals changed my understanding of what fitness means. I found that being fit is a lifestyle, so choosing the healthier options for foods and eating cleaner definitely made me look and feel better. I felt the results on the national stage and it was empowering to know how hard I had worked on my fitness!

What have been three of your most memorable experiences, while serving as MAOTeen for your state?
First, being on the national stage representing Washington State was such an incredible feeling! I loved walking down the steps with my Jovani gown from Regalia Magnificent Apparel for the Evening Gown and Onstage Question competition and just felt like time stood still. I truly felt like a princess in that moment.

Another memorable experience was watching the Miss America pageant live and being part of the “Show Us Your Shoes” parade with my MAOTeen sister queens in our sponsored Sketchers fitness outfits. It was so fun being in the audience at Miss America with my fellow teen queens. Waving at the cameras as it panned from us MAOTeen title holders to the Miss America stage on national television was such an exciting moment!

My favorite appearance from this year was definitely throwing a birthday party for two young ladies at St. Margaret’s Shelter because they couldn’t afford to celebrate with a party, so my mom, older sister, friend and I stepped in to throw one for them. It was one of the best experiences of my life! We set up the party, brought the cake, presents, and a flower pot arts and crafts activity for the girls and the families there. Then after they blew out their candles, I crowned each of the girls with tiaras. It was so rewarding to see their huge smiles and the joy on their faces that just lit up the room! That experience certainly touched me and reminded me of how an act of kindness and giving your time to others can be so impactful and meaningful.


How have you striven to not only promote your personal platform, but also your national platform towards Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals?
My personal platform is “Volunteerism: Giving Your Time and Talents” because I truly believe serving others is so impactful in both the volunteer’s life and the community. I enjoyed promoting my platform through posting the volunteer activities I was involved with on social media. I also spoke at many different appearances about the importance of volunteering and how to get involved, such as by finding opportunities through VolunteerMatch.org. I strived to promote the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals by getting involved with events that went to support this amazing cause. For instance, at nationals, I participated in the Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon which raised over $30,000 for the children! I was thrilled to be doing what I love – dancing – while hearing the touching stories of CMNH children and raising money to support more kids like them. I have also participated in collecting donations at IHOP for National Pancake Day for the past three years, which is always very rewarding.

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 hope the Miss America Organization continues to empower women with their new leadership by encouraging more ladies to get involved in this program. I hope to see a larger participation in this incredible organization because more ladies’ lives can be changed with increased advertising and promoting the program more nationally. Making sure there is effective leadership all the way from the local level up to the national level is also important to ensure the quality of the programs and structure for pageants across the nation under Miss America.


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?
The advice I have for young women is to believe in yourself. If you believe you can do it, it will take you far in whatever you are doing. Also, keep a positive attitude always. Even during challenging times, keeping a positive mindset will help you push through it and be more successful. Additionally, don’t compare yourself to others. We were all made uniquely and we all have special talents and skills that we can use to change this world. It is unfair to compare yourself to others because you are a completely different person than the ladies you are competing against. Just focus on what qualities you have that makes you qualified to be a title holder and how you can improve yourself to be the best you can be.

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?
Some people just see pageants as a competition revolving around beauty, but that’s not the case at all. Pageants teach you valuable life skills such as communication, interview skills, public speaking, time management, and responsibility. They also teach you how to market yourself and speak about a topic you are passionate about, which is your personal platform. Pageants can push you to become the best version of yourself and helps you gain lifelong friends. It certainly has impacted my life in a positive way by teaching me so much about myself and the skills I possess that I can use to give back to others.

How do you define yourself as a role-model for others?
I define myself as a role model by being a person who tries to be positive and encouraging in my interactions with others. I am a role model by volunteering often at various community events to support the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, the Wishing Star Foundation, Because There Is Hope and the American Childhood Cancer Organization, to name a few. I am also a role model by being a mentor to my National Princess, Kennedy Beeson, who I love volunteering with and guiding to understanding the importance of service. I am also inclusive of others and always try to reach out to the people who are not being seen or noticed because it takes just one person to make a difference by showing them they matter.


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?
The biggest challenge facing the young generation of America today is the lack of socialization. I think as a society, we have grown to be isolated and disconnected from each other because of spending so much time on technology. I hope our generation goes back to our core values of being compassionate, patient, and understanding and spending more time with those we love because at the end of our lives, those moments we share with them are the ones that will matter.

Now we are going to put a little challenge on you; we are going to ask you three of the five on-stage questions which were asked to the contestants during the Miss America 2018 pageant:

1. Maria Menounos asked: One hundred ninety-five countries signed the Paris agreement, in which each country sets nonbinding goals to reduce man-made climate change. The U.S. is withdrawing from the agreement, citing negligible environmental effects and negative economic impact. Good decision? Bad decision? Which is it and why?

I believe this is a bad decision because there is clear evidence of climate change occurring. I am a firm believer in the importance of preventing more damage from happening in our environment and reducing man-made climate change, which is very necessary in today’s world. We all need to take daily steps towards being more eco-friendly, but policy should reflect that need to help our environment because we only have one world and we need to take care of it.

1. Tara Lipinski asked: A recent poll found slightly over half of Americans favored leaving Confederate statues in place, while others want them removed. Keep them or get rid of them? What’s your vote and why?

I believe we can keep Confederate statues as long as they are being used as a history lesson to remember America’s past and to not forget it. However, they should be moved to places like museums so that they can be used as a learning lesson, but not something to be revered because of its negative meaning.

1. Thomas Rhett asked: Given the evidence that concussions from playing football can cause brain damage, would you support legislation that outlaws full-contact football in elementary and high school? Yes or no, and why?

No, although full-contact football can be dangerous, all sports have the possibility of injuries, but that doesn’t mean we should take out a whole key element of that sport. People need to just be aware of the risks involved.

Now that you’re all prepared for the Miss portion of Miss America, what are post-MAOTeen plans? How long until you compete in the Miss pageant? What are your future plans on college?
After my reign is up, I will continue in the Running Start program at Eastern Washington University where I will graduate next spring from high school and with my AA degree at the same time! I also will continue dancing, spending time with my family and friends, and volunteering in my community when I can. I hope to attend Stanford University to study international affairs and foreign relations. I will probably wait a few years until I compete in a Miss pageant, but I will be back!

As you have a few years till you can compete again, how will you plan to prepare for your transition from the Teen to the Miss pageant?
I plan to continue on with my education because I think it’s important to never stop learning! I will continue learning about how to market myself, strengthen my dance skills, which I use for my talent, and will build connections with people and organizations for my future. I also look forward to learning more about myself with time. I will of course continue volunteering to make fun, great memories and to give back to my community.


What is one goal you have for the new MAOTeen Washington, which you hope she is able to accomplish during her reign?
One goal I have for the next titleholder is to attend appearances on both sides of the state because this state can be positively touched by your good example and through you promoting your platform. Also, try to recruit as many ladies as you can to become a Miss Washington’s Outstanding Teen contestant because the countless benefits and life lessons one can learn from this program deserves to be more well-known.

What words of advice do you have for the new class of contestants who are getting ready to compete for your title?
Be you. Judges are looking for a girl who is authentic and herself at all times. Stay true to who you are always and let your personality come out onstage in all your phases of competition and especially in your interview. Also, remember that only one girl walks away with the title, but you don’t need a title to inspire others, get involved in your community, or to treat others with kindness. You can be a role model and leader every single day without a crown or sash.


What words of thanks for you have for your director, Lona Graves?
Thank you, Lona, for supporting me and guiding me throughout this year. I have appreciated your help in selecting my wardrobe, assisting with the many pages of nationals paperwork, and doing so many things behind the scenes to make this program possible! Your belief in me and these young ladies truly shows. Our program certainly is enriched with your creativity. Thank you for sharing this year with me.

Who else would you like to thank for supporting you throughout this journey?
To the MWAOTeen Organization Board Members and countless volunteers, the passion you pour into this program truly demonstrates your commitment to empowering and growing these young women. Thank you for all you do. To my siblings, thank you for being patient and supportive of me throughout this year! Mom, thank you for all the hours you spent altering and bedazzling my gowns, driving me around the state, and chaperoning me. This journey truly wouldn’t have been possible without you and your belief in me. Dad, you always encourage me to be the best I can be. You are the most handsome pageant dad ever! I love you both so much! Being the first Hmong-American state titleholder in the Miss America Organization was an honor and I really appreciate the tremendous amount of support I have received from the Hmong community. My year truly would not have been possible without so many people who guided me, gave me advice, and was there for me this year. Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this year so special and memorable for me.


Where can people follow you on social media post-reign?
Instagram: itstiamoua, Facebook: Tia Moua.

What final words do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine and those following you on social media?
I love seeing people smile each time I volunteer and think that if everyone could give their time and talents to help others, it would make our world a much more peaceful and loving place. I encourage you all to find something you are passionate about doing and use that passion to volunteer and give back to your community. It will change both your life and the lives of people you are helping.

I like to live by this quote by Mark Twain: “Don’t dream your life, but live your dream.” Since I was seven-years-old, I dreamed of becoming a state titleholder. After nearly a decade of sacrifice and dedication, I was finally able to achieve and live my dream. This journey has taught me to never give up on my dreams. Being blessed with this title for a whole year has been an experience that I will hold dearly in my heart forever. Thank you to everyone who has followed my journey and I can’t wait to embark on the next adventure! This chapter is coming to a close, but I am looking forward to where my future will take me.