The next contestant to be featured as part of our series, The Road to Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen 2018, is 15 year-old, Gia Frances Iwanec. Gia is no stranger to the MAO as she has been part of the organization since she was 5 years old. And now she is ready to share why she could be the next, Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen!

Tweet

For those who may not be familiar with you, tell our readers a bit about yourself and your background within the pageant world.
My name is Gia Frances Iwanec, I am a 15 year old freshman and honors student.  Since I was 5 years old, I have been involved in the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Organization.  I have held the titles of Connecticut Outstanding Junior and Pre-Teen, Connecticut Princess and National Princess.  Last year was my first year competing in the Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen pageant and I held the title of Miss Fairfield County’s Outstanding Teen.  I am so exciting to be returning to the Miss Connecticut Outstanding Teen stage this year representing my title of Miss Forestville’s Outstanding Teen.

The four points of the Miss America crown represent: service, scholarship, style, and success. Which one is the most important to you and why?
All points are so important but I would have to say scholarship.  I will be a sophomore in high school and college is in the near future. Being a part of the Miss America organization is so helpful in allowing us scholarship opportunities and with the rising costs of college education, I know that my parents and I are very grateful for that opportunity and assistance.


During Brooke Cyr’s reign, what is one characteristic you’ve seen her bring forth as Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen, and which do you hope to emulate if you were to win the title?
I have admired Brooke’s dedication to building up the Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen program.  She has introduced so many incredible young women to the program that I now get to call my “sisters” and friends.  As Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen, I would like to build upon that and take it to the next level.

What have you learned from our current Miss Connecticut, Brooke Cyr, that can help you be a better outstanding teen?
I feel that Brooke is herself.  Although she has grown so much through her year, she is still the same Brooke that I met before she was crowned as Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen.  I feel that we should all be comfortable in our own skin and truly enjoy every moment and opportunity that we have. I believe we should all be our best version of our own self and to be confident with that.

Please share with our readers your platform and why you’ve chosen to advocate for it.
I am so excited to share my platform “Get into Action – Movement towards Better Health”  with your readers. As a competitive dancer, dance is my main way of movement and I am proud to say that not only do I promote my platform, I am living it on a daily basis.  I wanted to share my love of movement with my community and also share the health benefits that go hand in hand with movement as well. I have targeted three different age groups; the youth, my peers/adults, and the elderly and have worked consistently with all those age groups.  I have to say that working with the elderly to me has been the most rewarding. I have teamed up with a rehabilitation home and make regular visits. It is amazing to see some of the residents as old as 106 “Getting into Action” with me. The smiles on their faces as they are participating in the program is just amazing.  It makes me feel so much joy that I am able to help in keeping them active and enriching their lives.


If you were to win the title of Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen, how do you hope to better educate your generation about your platform and the importance it holds?
I would continue to educate viewers on the importance of adding movement to their daily routine. Educating them about the benefits received from just adding as little as 20 minutes of movement into their day.  Also sharing and showing them how easy movement can be and different ideas and suggestions. My hopes is to create a “Get into Action” day within the State of Connecticut.  A day that everyone can take part in and hopefully encourage people to continue on and include movement in their daily routine.

Tell us about your talent and the decisions you made in proceeding with this talent.
Talent portion has to be my favorite phase of competition. I have been dancing since I was 3 years old and although I am trained in all genres of dance, tap is my absolute favorite. This year, I will be performing a high energy rhythmic tap solo which allows me to show my fast and intricate footwork along with my fun loving personality. I am so excited and can’t wait to showcase it on the Miss Connecticut stage.

Having been in pageants and after winning a local title, what advice do you have for those who want to start competing in the MAO system?
Being involved in the MAO systems is one of the best things that I ever did!  I have been so fortunate to grow up in this system and truly feel that it has helped me be the confident, poised, service minded teen that I am today.  I would highly encourage those considering getting involved and explain the personal benefits that I have received. In addition to all those benefits, I have made some great friends and we always have such a great time when we are together.


Because of the way media and certain television networks have portrayed the lifestyle of pageantry, there is a preconceived notion of what a pageant girl is like. How do you think that being a part of the Miss America Organization you are able to break that barrier?
This Miss America Organization is so much more than a pageant, it is a lifestyle.  The pageant itself is only one day but your reign is truly one year and during that time, I feel that I embody all of what the Miss America Organization stands for.  I live my life every day the best that I can to incorporate each of the four points of the crown. I would educate people about our organization and the benefits and opportunities available to women and encourage them to get involved.

Regardless of who wins the title of Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen, what is one goal which you have for them, which you hope they will accomplish during their reign?
To continue growing and improving the program for all involved.  To be a voice for our generation.

Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. What makes you a “bravura” candidate for Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen?
Growing up in this organization I have seen firsthand what it takes to be “bravura”.  You have to be dedicated to the program, a mentor to the youth, approachable to all you come in contact with, determined to be your best self, confident in your own skin, be hard working in fulfilling your goals for your reign, honored that you were chosen and trusted with the great honor of representing your state, humbled that you received the opportunity, genuine in staying true to yourself, all while maintaining a smiley, fun, and loving personality that a teen should possess.


Where can people follow you on social media?
You can follow my journey on:
Facebook:  Miss Forestville’s Outstanding Teen 2018 – Gia Frances Iwanec.
And on Instagram:  missforestvillesot18maot.

What final words do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine and those following you on social media?
Being Miss Connecticut’s Outstanding Teen has been a dream of mine since I was Connecticut’s National Princess.  I had the honor of going to Miss America’s Outstanding Teens pageant in Orlando, Florida and getting that backstage pass during that time made me realize more than ever that I wanted to be on that stage one day competing for my dream job and I have been working so hard ever since.  I feel that I have a lot to offer to the program and to my generation and younger and would work tirelessly to be the best representative, role model, and mentor that I could be. I have four little princesses Fallyn, Jayla, Juliana, and Sophia that I just adore being a mentor to and I have seen such growth in them thru being involved in the princess program. I would continue to grow my personal platform in addition to my continuing efforts to raise funds and awareness for our National Platform Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.  I am very grateful for all the opportunities and people that I have met through this organization and I am excited to see what the future holds for me. Thank you so much to Bravura for allowing me to share a little about myself to your viewers.