Taylor Johnson, the current Miss Sussex County 2019, is the next contestant to be featured as part of our series, "The Road to Miss Delaware 2019." Continue reading to learn more about Taylor and her journey to the crown!

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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.
You can never be over prepared! Joanna took time out of her busy schedule to FaceTime each contestant and give some advice and answer questions. One thing that I loved was the notebook she made. In mine, I have each contestant, their title, social impact initiative and their talent. My notebook also features a bunch of Delaware facts and interview tips. I will be updating it more before I leave for Miss Delaware!



What is one goal you hope that the new Miss Delaware will accomplish during her reign?
I hope that she is able to visit our local Children’s Miracle Network Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, a few times during her reign. CMNH is the reason I joined my sorority, Phi Mu (Phi Delta chapter at Salisbury University) and my love for the non-profit grew the more I was exposed to it. A visit would bring so much joy to the kids that are being treated there.

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?
Save your money leading up to pageant season!!! I’ve ran into so much trouble because I don’t save my money. I’ve learned to pageant on a budget.

Share with us your platform and why it’s important to you.
My social impact initiative is Protect the Skin You’re In: Melanoma Awareness. Prior to my senior year of high school, my mom was diagnosed with Stage 3, almost Stage 4, skin cancer which has a 60% survival rate (Stage 4 has a 15% survival rate). My mom was entered into a trial of immunotherapy, and she is the only survivor from her test group. 2 years after beating it, side effects started popping up. Her vision has deteriorated, and she was diagnosed with aplastic anemia this past September. She has no immune system, and has lost the ability to clot blood if she accidentally  cuts herself. Doctors have told her that she needs to undergo a  bone marrow transplant, and that I am the ideal donor as her daughter. My social impact initiative is important because skin cancer is becoming more common, and we don’t think about the repercussions of UV damage until we are later facing it. It’s time to start protecting the skin we’re in.

“Bravura” is an artistic word for exceptional; what makes you a ‘bravura’ candidate for Miss Delaware?
My passion for the things that I’m involved with is a force to be reckoned with. I put my all in, no matter the costs. The past three years I have been a titleholder, one of the most active sisters in my sorority, commuting to Salisbury University, and working. It is a lot to juggle, but I make it look effortless. Miss Delaware needs to have passion for everything that she does, along with superb time management skills.