As we prepare for the upcoming Miss America’s Outstanding Teen pageant in July, we look back at the current title-holders, their reign, their accomplishments, and how they’ve grown since being crowned. We fit introduced you to Isabella Jessee, when she had won her title, Miss Virginia's Outstanding Teen 2017. Continue reading to learn more about Isabella during her reign as MAOTeen VA!

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How does one balance a teenage lifestyle, title of MAOTeen VA, a high school career, and so much more at the same time?
This year has certainly been difficult, but it has been the most rewarding experience of my life. I am a stickler for making charts and lists to organize my thoughts as well as everything that needs to be done. I found scheduling time with friends outside of school, staying on top of my school work, and planning and attending appearances was easier to handle because of my time-management skills.

Tell our readers a bit about how you prepared for competing in MAOTeen? What challenges did you face in preparing for MAOTeen?
I stayed with my director at her house for a week. During this time, I did several mock interviews, perfected my talent, and finalized MAOTeen wardrobe making sure everything was written down. Since I had such a short couple of weeks to prepare after winning MVOTeen, I was thankfully able to accomplish a great deal with my director in only one week.


What has been three of your most memorable experiences, while serving as MAOTeen for your state?
My most memorable experiences include: a boy asking me if I had a prince, going to Williamsburg and Busch Gardens with our lovely Miss Virginia 2017, and performing in a Christmas Extravaganza for Operation Smile where I was fortunate enough to meet the founder, Dr. Magee.

How have you striven to not only promote your personal platform, but also your national platform towards Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals?
I brought my platform bracelets to distribute everywhere I went. I also utilized the outreach of social media to encourage volunteerism. I spoke to everyone who would listen about my platform, Find Your Passion: VolunteerMatch, the MVO, and CMNH. I held fundraisers for the MVO and CMNH and was able to visit CMN Hospitals to see the children this organization helps firsthand.

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?
It is important to me that whoever heads this organization stays rooted in the organization’s purposes: to provide scholarships to young women, encourage them to make a difference, and allow them to be advocates for causes. Because Gretchen Carlson is a former Miss America, I believe she will be able to maintain the mission of the organization.


It seems that we’re heading into a path towards women empowerment with these changes; what advice do you have for young women who are looking to step in to the Miss America Organization?
This organization has helped me grow into the woman I want to be. If someone is hesitant about competing, I would tell them to dive in, and give it a chance.  Only good can come out of giving this organization a try in one’s quest to better herself, better the world, and gain scholarships. There are many aspects of competing that seem overwhelming. This is why it is important to find someone who has competed to guide you, help you, and show you the ins and outs.

Pageants, in general, are so highly criticized by so many people across the world. What do you have to say to those who speak negatively about pageants?
The people who criticize this organization unfortunately do so because they do not understand the positive influence it has had on many young women all over the country. They likely do not know that the MAO is the largest provider of scholarships to young women in the entire country. Such an organization deserves more credit than it is given. I encourage people to research before they judge this organization because it is only fair.


How do you define yourself as a role-model for others?
I always try to carry myself in a confidently humble way. Being constantly in the public eye this year, I have found that I have further developed my speaking skills as well as my poise and self-confidence. I have always tried to lead by example.

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?
Although technological advancements are always great, the young generation is relying heavily on technology in order to entertain themselves with games as well as communicate with each other. This has created a generation completely lacking the ability to interact with people. We are social beings. This is why we have been so drawn to the development of social media; however, we are social beings who need face-to-face interaction to maintain our mental health. Becoming addicted to technology is a very prevalent problem which does not have one simple solution. Parents setting limits in how long their children can use technology each day and teaching children the meaning and importance of face-to-face interactions would be wonderful.  This just has to be applied by a vast majority of parents.

Now we are going to put a little challenge on you; we are going to ask you three of the five on-stage questions which were asked to the contestants during the Miss America 2018 pageant:

Maria Menounos asked: One hundred ninety-five countries signed the Paris agreement, in which each country sets nonbinding goals to reduce man-made climate change. The U.S. is withdrawing from the agreement, citing negligible environmental effects and negative economic impact. Good decision? Bad decision? Which is it and why?

I choose to believe this was a good decision. If the President did not feel this was worth the risks for the United States, we should trust that there are negative aspects of the agreement that were not transparent to the people of the U.S., and the President made the right decision. Pulling out of this agreement does not mean we stop recycling and doing our part as good stewards of the earth to protect and maintain it. We are still individually responsible for cleaning up after ourselves and minimizing waste for a cleaner earth. I think it is up to any President to always put the United States before any other country.

Tara Lipinski asked: A recent poll found slightly over half of Americans favored leaving Confederate statues in place, while others want them removed. Keep them or get rid of them? What’s your vote and why?

I would vote to keep these statues because they are a part of history. Each locality should vote on whether or not to keep its statues up where they were built, and if the locality votes to take them down, they should be moved to a museum. Whether or not people agree with the actions during this part of history, these statues are a part of history that cannot be changed. Today, I believe we should view these statues in a way that allows us to gain perspective and see how far we as a nation have come.

Thomas Rhett asked: Given the evidence that concussions from playing football can cause brain damage, would you support legislation that outlaws full-contact football in elementary and high school? Yes or no, and why?

First off, football is not, by any means, the only sport in which concussions occur. It does not make sense to me that girls and boys wear helmets to bat in softball and baseball, but girls do not wear helmets in lacrosse where boys do. Although girls’ lacrosse is not considered a contact sport and boys’ is, there is still a fair amount of physical contact that occurs. I believe all contact sports should require players to wear helmets. With respect to football, it has been proven that most of the reported concussions occurred during practice. Coaches, as well as others involved in the sport, need to take the time to figure out what exactly is causing the increase of concussions during practice as opposed to during games.

Now that you’re all prepared for the Miss portion of Miss America, what are post-MAOTeen plans? How long until you compete in the Miss pageant? What are your future plans on college?
I plan on taking a break to concentrate on my first year in college at Hollins University thanks to the scholarships I have earned. I will be doing pre-med and majoring in biology in order to become a reconstructive and cosmetic surgeon. My career choice requires a great deal of attention, but I absolutely love it and am deeply passionate about medicine and surgery. As for Miss Virginia, perhaps I will be gliding across the stage as a young woman in medical school. I am truly looking forward to seeing which direction life will take me.

As you have a few years till you can compete again, how will you plan to prepare for your transition from the Teen to the Miss pageant?
I feel it is crucial for me to gain more life experiences to have the perspective needed to be able to have a proper interview and be able to speak to the public about certain topics as a miss.


What is one goal you have for the new MAOTeen VA, which you hope she is able to accomplish during her reign?
As Tim Mcgraw says, “Always stay humble and kind.” Children and teens look up to you as a state title holder, and it is imperative that the new winner tries her best to stay grounded in her ideals and her goals for her year as Miss Virginia’s Outstanding Teen 2018.

What words of advice do you have for the new class of contestants who are getting ready to compete for your title?
Although the week is stressful, try your best to remain positive and have a good time. Staying out of your own head is crucial in order to compete to the best of your ability and show the judges who you truly are.


What words of thanks do you have for your directors?
My director has been an absolute angel to work with. She is one of the nicest, most giving, caring people I have ever met. Miss Linda, thank you for putting so much effort not only in me but in this organization. The amount of concern and care you showed for me this year made me feel so special and loved. It warms my heart that there are people in this world as wonderful as you. I will miss you when my reign is over, but I know I have a lifelong friend in you.

Who else would you like to thank for supporting you throughout this journey?
So many people have supported me on this journey, but I would especially like to thank my parents, family, and preliminary directors. In their own way, each family member as well as each director truly impacted and helped me in very specific ways which allowed me to have such an incredible year.

Where can people follow you on social media post-reign?
Instagram- @isabella_jessee.
Facebook- Isabella Jessee.
Snapchat- isabella_jessee

What final words do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine and those following you on social media?
Thank you to everyone for your support throughout my reign. Without your encouragement, I would not have been able to serve Virginia to the best of my ability, and I am grateful to everyone who helped me have a life-changing year. Thank you to those who took the time to read these responses to learn more about me and the MVO. Be sure to follow me on social media. Even after passing down the crown, my journey does not end. I am looking forward to the future and wish the new winner the very best for her year.