Our series, "The Road to Miss Connecticut 2018," continues with the next contestant to be featured, Miss Maritime, Sarah Rioux. Continue reading to learn more about Sarah and her journey to the crown!

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What does being Miss Connecticut 2018 mean to you?
Being crowned Miss Connecticut means that I am afforded the opportunity to serve and give back to the citizens of this great state that I love. Connecticut has been my lifetime home, and my family has deep roots here. It would be an honor and a privilege for me to represent Connecticut.

Tell our readers a bit about how you prepared for competing in the Miss Connecticut system? What challenges did you face in preparing for Miss Connecticut?
I have to admit that prior to September, 2017, I knew nothing about the Miss Connecticut pageant system, or any other pageant system for that matter. One Sunday in September, I attended a “Rookie” pageant to support a friend. The next day, with my mom’s support and only five days to prepare, I decided to enter a local pageant in the Miss Connecticut Organization which was to be held the following Saturday. Although I didn’t win that night, I  absolutely loved the experience and wanted to continue. I learned so much in that short period of time, and I had so much fun, so I decided to enter the two local pageants that were scheduled the next Saturday. That day, after taking my SATs in full make-up and hair, and just 12 days after getting involved in the pageant system, I was crowned Miss Maritime.

I would have to say that the biggest challenge I’ve faced thus far is just trying to become the best version of myself given the time constraints with my hectic schedule. I’ve learned to manage my time effectively and can’t wait to show the judges all that I’ve accomplished.


What have been three of your most memorable experiences, since being crowned Miss Maritime?
The New Haven Tree Lighting Ceremony was a memorable experience because it was my first time out in public as a titleholder. It was so amazing to interact with the community as everyone gathered for what symbolizes the beginning of my favorite holiday season.  Another memorable experience was the night I was crowned Miss Maritime. Many of my family members were unable to attend the pageant because of a pre-planned thirtieth birthday party for my cousin. My parents and I stopped at the party after the pageant, and the overwhelming amount of love and support I received that night is something I will never forget, because at the end of the day, I consider my family to be the most valuable thing in my life. Reading to the children at the child care center where I volunteer was yet another memorable moment for me. Arriving as Miss Maritime, rather than Miss Sarah, was a completely different experience, and one that I will always treasure. After all, these children are the reason I chose my platform, and it reminded me of how thankful I am to have the opportunity to be a volunteer at this child care center.

How have you striven to not only promote your personal platform, but also help raise money for the MAO’s national platform, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals?
My personal platform is Bright Beginnings: Quality and Affordable Child Care for Low-Income Families. In order to promote my platform, I met with representatives from All Our Kin, which is an organization in place to support and sustain child care providers. I also spent an afternoon at the State Capitol in Hartford, CT. At the Capitol, I had the opportunity to meet with both legislators and lobbyists, to discuss the current programs Connecticut has in place to assist low-income families with child care, and how these programs can be affected by the State’s budget. It was also truly exciting, and another memorable experience, to be introduced on the House floor by my State Representative, Lezlye Zupkus. In addition to the above, I have spent time reading to children at various locations and I volunteer my time at a child care center.

It has also been my pleasure to raise money for the MAO’s national platform, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, by hosting a bus trip, reaching out to friends and family and attending multiple dance marathons and other events to support CMNH. After all, every dollar counts.

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’m certain that the future of the MAO with the new Chairwoman, Gretchen Carlson, will be as bright as it’s ever been. Despite the former leadership, having a strong, intelligent, experienced and successful woman in charge is sure to make each and every title holder have more confidence in the organization as a whole.


What advice do you have for young women who are looking to step into the Miss America Organization?
My advice is to just be yourself, because being yourself is being beautiful. Everyone has something special and unique that they have to let shine through.

How do you define yourself as a role-model for others?
I am a role-model for others because, simply put, I am me. I don’t find the need to try and be someone else, or follow what others are doing, because I love who I am. I always encourage others to be happy in their own skin because, once again, everyone is beautiful in their own way. What a world it would be if we all just focused on being the best version of ourselves that we could be.

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?
I believe that college debt is one of the biggest challenges facing our youth today. We can work together to overcome this by encouraging students to make more financially sound decisions about where they attend college and also having them apply for more scholarships. Involvement in the MAO is a great way to earn money for your education, and you can have a life-changing experience while doing so.


Regardless of whoever wins the title of Miss Connecticut 2018, what is one goal you have for the new title-holder, which you hope she is able to accomplish during her reign?
The one goal I have for the new Miss Connecticut, whomever she may be, is to find the good in every day of her year of service.

Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. What makes you a “bravura” candidate for Miss Connecticut?
What makes me exceptional is that I don’t consider myself to be exceptional. Despite all of my accomplishments thus far in life, I consider myself to be a normal teenager who continually strives to someday be exceptional.

What words of advice do you have for the new class of contestants who are getting ready to compete for your title?
It’s becoming redundant, but this is what I would tell them: “Don’t try to be anyone else but you. I can’t wait to see what great things you accomplish during your reign.”

What words of thanks do you have for those who have supported you on this journey?
Honestly, if it weren’t for my support team, there is no way that I would have the confidence to be able to compete on the Miss Connecticut stage. My heartfelt thanks goes out to everyone from my family and friends, to my sister queens and to the people involved in the Miss Connecticut Organization on both the local and state levels. Everyone has been so kind and helpful throughout my journey, and there are no words to accurately describe my appreciation.

Where can people follow you on social media?
You can follow me @missmaritimemao, on Instagram and Miss Maritime 2018- Sarah Rioux on Facebook.

What final words do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine and those following you on social media?
Please stay tuned on Facebook and Instagram.  Thank you for reading about my journey to Miss Connecticut.  I hope you enjoyed it!