On each night of preliminaries for Miss America’s Outstanding Teen, there was a visitation period after the show. The teens would come out to meet with their family, friends, and mentors- the Miss America contestants. I had the exciting opportunity, as a first-time reporter, to interview several of the Miss America contestants on their past experiences and hopes for the future. Talking to each and every one of the contestants I was able to interview was a unique experience; no one had the same answer for any of my questions, which made it even more engaging for me as the reporter to be able to gain insight from the many perspectives of the different titleholders, all who come from very similar yet individual backgrounds.

Miss Utah- JessiKate Riley
What is a goal you have for the Miss America Pageant?
It’s so hard because you wanna be prepared in every aspect. I’m pretty shy, so right now, in Orlando, I’m working on making friends and getting out of my bubble. As far as preparing for Miss America, [it’s about] being really confident in who I am, knowing what I want on stage, and just letting that shine through.

Miss Alaska- Angelina Klapperich
What is a goal you have for the Miss America Pageant?
[Even though it] truly sounds kind of corny, I love just connecting with people so I’m just loving meeting people from every state and hearing their stories. My goal is just to meet as many people as I can because I think that’s what this role is about as a titleholder: just meeting people.

Miss Hawaii- Kathryn Teruya
What is a goal you have for the Miss America Pageant?
I just really wanna make sure [that] when I get there, I’m prepared, so I just wanna be prepared mentally and physically, making sure that when I get to Atlantic City, it’s about having fun and enjoying every single moment.

Miss Oklahoma- Triana Browne
Did you ever participate in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Program?
I actually did one year in Georgia!

What do you think is the difference between MAOTeen and Miss America?
I would definitely say that I’m a little busier, but there’s more promoting awareness to the platform, being serving to others, and not necessarily working towards a scholarship towards school because someone who already graduated from college is more so towards being of service to others and promoting their platform.

Miss North Dakota- Cara Mund
How has your journey being a Miss been so far?
Being Miss North Dakota has been outstanding, it seems like a dream come true. I actually started in the Outstanding Teen program, I was the Outstanding Teen 2010 for North Dakota so I feel like it kind of trained me up to being Miss North Dakota, and meeting all the girls here has been such a pleasure. It’s cool to be able to share this once in a lifetime experience together.

Miss Maryland- Kathleen Masek
What is it like watching your little sister on stage and why do you think she should be Miss America’s Outstanding Teen?
Obviously I’m so very proud and I love her so much, but I think she should be Miss Americas Outstanding Teen because I think she deserves it! She is a great person overall and that truly is a great [quality] representative of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen. I love her and I want the best for her!

Miss Ohio- Sarah Clapper
Did you ever participate in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Program?
I actually did, I grew up a gymnast for 13 years and I wanted to go to college on an athletic scholarship. I also looked for other ways to look for scholarship money because unfortunately, my sophomore year of high school, I sustained severe spinal injury and had to give up my sport, so I had to get through that for a while and it meets my personal platform, “More to Me: Defining Value for Future Success.”

What is it like watching your little sister on stage?
I’m an only child, so this is has been the most fantastic experience, although it’s really funny, when you look down at the Miss contestants, everyone’s on the edge of their seats the entire show and to me, it’s just so nerve-wracking. I want her to do so good and she makes Ohio so proud.

Miss New Mexico- Taylor Rey
How has your journey being a Miss been so far?
It’s been fantastic, I’ve competed as a teen and this was my third time running as a Miss but I waited a couple years because I wanted to graduate college and get a job, but I have had a lot of fun doing appearances in my community, doing parades, and community service. I look forward to continuing all of that.

Miss California- Jillian Smith
What is it like watching your little sister on stage and why do you think she should be Miss America’s Outstanding Teen?
I’m fortunate to have known Violet Joy Hansen for a couple of years- we’re actually both from the same area of California and she is just the epitome of a wonderful person and a great role model that you would want your own daughters to look up to. I love her to death!

Miss Louisiana- Laryssa Bonacquisti
What is it like watching your little sister on stage and why do you think she should be Miss America’s Outstanding Teen?
She’s one of the most genuine people I have ever known. She works so hard and she loves everything that she does. Watching her grow over the years, having the opportunity to know her and be a friend of hers is just amazing, and seeing her on that stage, I think she has the heart, will, and desire to become Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2017.

Miss Idaho- Taylor Lance
Did you ever participate in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Program?
I did not, I actually didn’t start competing [in pageants] until I was 21.

What is it like watching your little sister on stage?
It’s amazing, I keep teasing everyone saying that they’re so much more talented than we will ever be, and it is so encouraging to see the young do so well!

Miss Iowa- Chelsea Dubczak
Did you ever participate in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Program?
I did, I competed at Miss Wisconsin’s Outstanding Teen the summer before my senior year of high school and I ended up being first runner up!

What do you think is the difference between MAOTeen and Miss America?
It was several years ago that I [competed]. I think I’m pretty old for the pageant scene now, so I think it was still in the works and being developed [back then], but there’s probably more similarities than there are differences. [MAOTeen] was truly the spring forward into my Miss America career and endeavors, and I’m so glad that I did it because it really prepared me for this level of competition.

Miss Connecticut- Eliza Kanner
How has your journey being a Miss been so far?
I started in the Miss Connecticut Organization when I was four years old and I looked up to Miss Connecticut year after year- I always aspired to be them, so for the past month it has certainly been a whirlwind of an experience and it’s so crazy to say that I’m going to Miss America, but it’s been amazing to meet the other women competing!

Miss Wisconsin- McKenna Collins
Did you ever participate in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Program?
I did! Back in 2013, I was Miss Southern Wisconsin Outstanding Teen and I took fourth runner up at states.

What do you think is the difference between MAOTeen and Miss America?
The teen program does a really wonderful job at preparing the young girls to participate in the Miss program, from communication skills to setting those educational goals. They really do a wonderful job at encouraging girls to get out there, pursue their dreams, create opportunities for themselves, and then eventually come back and participate in the Miss program!

Miss Nevada- Andrea Martinez
Did you ever participate in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Program?
[No], I didn’t, this is actually my first go around with pageants in general! I competed [at a local pageant] in January this year and then I competed in Miss Nevada and now I’m Miss Nevada, going to Miss America and it’s all happened pretty quickly!

What is it like watching your little sister on stage?
They are all so, so amazing! Most of the time, I think they can compete at the Miss America level. They are really, really talented, kind-hearted, amazing contestants!

Miss Arkansas- Maggie Benton
How has your journey being a Miss been so far?
It’s been a crazy one, I’ve been Miss Arkansas for two months, and [there has been] a lot of preparation for Miss America of course, and then [there are] a lot of other parts of the job like visiting different community service projects and getting to know everyone on a different level, so I’ve really enjoyed every minute of it.

Miss Montana- Maddie Murray
Did you ever participate in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Program?
I did, my first pageant was Miss Montana’s Outstanding Teen two years ago, and it was the most incredible experience. I still have life long best friends from that! Even though I didn’t take away the crown that year, that’s A-okay because I made incredible friendships and I grew from that, so all my heart goes to the Miss America organization.

What do you think is the difference between MAOTeen and Miss America?
I think there are a lot of similarities actually; it’s all based off of the same thing-scholarship, service, success, and style. I think the main difference is the age difference and how it’s a growing organization to the Miss America organization, and [how] it’s supporting teens. [It’s great how] they are also able to reach an older generation as well.

Miss New York- Gabrielle Walter
What is a goal you have for the Miss America Pageant?
I am just working on being my best self in all areas of the competition. I think it’s great because it challenges you in so many different ways [such as] your intellectual skills, knowing about the world, your talent, and being physically fit, so I’m working at everything a little bit each day.

Miss New Jersey- Kaitlyn Schoeffel
What is a goal you have for the Miss America Pageant?
Well, I took my dance that I’ll be performing at Miss America & I put it on pointe shoes and i haven’t performed in pointe shoes in a very long time or taken pointe class in a very long time so I’ve been working really, really hard to make sure that I can get up on my toes in my dance routine.

Miss South Carolina- Suzi Roberts
Did you ever participate in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Program?
I competed three times and won on my third try and my final chance, [I’m] aging out this year, so it’s been crazy ever since crowning. I think I always had an idea of what the job would be like, but it’s completely different than what I thought it would be, I’ve been super, super busy every single day since crowning, preparing for Miss America and getting right on the ground running with my platform, keeping up with appearances and everything. This week is actually relaxing comparing to what it has been like at home, so tomorrow, I’m filming with Dick Clark Productions to get ready for Miss America. I picked my evening gown today, so that was really exciting, but you know it’s just a crazy journey [and I’m] taking every day as it comes and just making sure to soak in every single minute of this preparation time because it’s so precious and I know that I’ll miss it once it’s over.

Miss Kansas- Krystian Fish
Did you ever participate in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Program?
I didn’t, but it’s actually the reason I started competing! One of my very best friends from high school was in the teen competition and she always talked about it, so I thought I’d check it out and I thought it was incredible! I was so in awe with what she was doing so I competed for a local pageant immediately.

What is it like watching your little sister on stage?
First of all, I am so proud of my teen! She did such an incredible job tonight; there’s such a great relationship between the Miss and the Teen organization and we truly see these girls as our little sisters. It’s so fun to kind of do this journey together to watch them and she’ll be cheering me on at Miss America & it’s just so fun to have someone to get through all of this with and someone who knows exactly what each other is going through.

Miss Pennsylvania- Katie Schreckengast
Did you ever participate in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Program?
I started pageants seven years ago, I was thirteen years old, and I began in the Miss Americas Outstanding Teen program. I became Miss Pennsylvania’s Outstanding Teen in 2013, so I haven’t been here in four years and it’s really cool to be back and support my team!

What do you think is the difference between MAOTeen and Miss America?
Surprisingly, there isn’t much of a difference and I think that is a testament to the Miss Americas Outstanding Teen program because it truly does prepare you to be in the Miss America program.

Miss Delaware- Chelsea Bruce
Did you ever participate in the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Program?
No, I never [competed in] Miss Americas Outstanding Teen. This is actually my first year competing in pageants ever so it’s just a whole new experience for me.

What is it like watching your little sister on stage?
It’s so exciting! I’ve never experienced energy like that.

Miss Texas- Margana Wood
How has your journey being a Miss been so far?
It’s been amazing, I was crowned on July 1st, so it really hasn’t been a whole lot of time since, but its been a whirlwind. We’ve been preparing for Miss America mainly, so it’s just been very fast paced and just doing a lot of things, but today and this whole week has been really exciting because it’s the first time all the Miss contestants are together and the first time we’ve actually met so it’s been wonderful so far!