We are excited for a new Miss America 2020 to be crowned! And we're also excited to kick off a new "Road To...," series! Our first state to be featured is Delaware! "Delaware joined the Miss America family in 1933 with its first representative, Victoria George. Through the early years the competition was not an annual event due to the world wars and other economic conflicts which suffered throughout the nation. In 1966, the Miss Delaware Competition moved to Convention Hall in Rehoboth Beach, a resort oriented community similar to Atlantic City. In 2006, the Miss Delaware Competition moved to Dover Downs Hotel and Casino in Dover, the Capital of the First State," (from Miss DESO website). Our first contestant to be featured in our "Road to Miss Delaware 2019" series is Selena Barnett - Miss New Castle County 2019. Continue reading to learn more about Selena and her road to Miss Delaware 2019!

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What have you learned from your current Miss Delaware, Joanna Wicks, which you hope to carry with you, regardless of whomever wins the title of Miss Delaware.
I learned that you can always have fun and be yourself in front of everyone. Always being true to you is so important and I love that Jo is always herself. Always
smiling, being silly, and not afraid to laugh!

What is one goal you hope that the new Miss Delaware will accomplish during her reign?
I hope that Miss Delaware 2019 accomplished everything she sets in front of her. I hope she encourages young women in our beautiful state of Delaware to set goals and achieve them, to always have a positive mind, and to encourage young women to join the program! This is such an amazing opportunity more young women should know about!

If you could go back in the past, and give yourself one piece of advice when you first stepped into pageantry, what would it be?
Probably that it’s okay if you don’t have the best hair style, prettiest make up, or nicest gown, what’s important is what’s in your heart. Inner beauty is more
important than the outer beauty.

Share with us your platform and why it’s important to you.
My platform is called: “Hidden Disabilities: Endometriosis Awareness & Advocacy” and I chose this platform because I have endometriosis as well as 200 million other women in the world that have it, yet not many people know what it is. We need more awareness, more medical attention, and more education on the disease itself. Not many people realize what comes with “Endo”. We need to find a cure!”

“Bravura” is an artistic word for exceptional; what makes you a ‘bravura’ candidate for Miss Delaware?
One of the four points of the crown, Service. I am dedicated to continuously giving back to my community in any way I can. Whether it be through teaching Sunday school at my church, growing a garden for the food bank, or working with Endometriosis groups. I love to give back, and I do it with a smile!