Being a state title-holder is not an easy task; it’s a full-time job which requires patience, dedication, and more than that, it requires a person who is passionate about advocating for their personal platform and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. One such title-holder is the Miss Wyoming 2017, Cheyenne Buyert. We first introduced Cheyenne to you when she was competing for the title of Miss America 2018. As someone who started their first business when they were in high school and now getting ready to pursue their MBA, Cheyenne is nothing less than determined, even after passing on the crown to a new title-holder. Continue reading to learn more about Cheyenne’s time as Miss Wyoming 2017 and what life “beyond the crown,” looks like for her!

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How does one balance the title of Miss Wyoming and so much more at the same time?
You take advantage of every opportunity set before you! You only have a year with your title, so you have to use it to your advantage so that it can kick-start the rest of your life.

Ultimately, you have to find a balance between being a titleholder and chasing your other dreams. The crown doesn’t have to consume your whole life; mostly because it’s not about the physical crown in the first place! I think that’s even made easier for women in the Miss America Organization because they are empowered to continue their education and careers through scholarship, valuable business connections, and the professional skills they develop. During my year of service as Miss Wyoming, I went to school full time, worked multiple part time jobs, and balanced my community service appearances because I found that all of them made me happy and well rounded. When I was stressed out from school, spending time serving and speaking to others really helped me take my mind off things. The Miss America Organization has made my passion for service burn so brightly, and I’m so thankful for the woman that that has shaped me into now. While others may view it as overwhelming and stressful, I saw the chance to share my gifts with others. After all, this is not just a job- it’s an opportunity! I believe that everybody has something to give- even those of us with the busiest of schedules! However, finding your personal balance is critical, because serving others when you’re not taking care of or loving yourself isn’t worth much.

Even better, the Miss America sisterhood is so incredibly strong- you know that when you come home after a long, tiring day of work, school, and appearances, there are 50 other women feeling the exact same way; and they are the strongest support system you could ever imagine! We truly are soul sisters. Overall, it’s all about finding that unique balance to keep you happy and healthy. 365 days fly by, and I am so grateful for every moment. It’s not always glamorous, but it is 100% worth it.


Tell our readers a bit about how you prepared for competing in the Miss Wyoming system? How did you use what you learned at a local level in preparing for the national pageant? What challenges did you face in preparing for Miss America?
I competed in my very first pageant (Miss Wyoming 2016) when I was 18 years old. I didn’t even place that year, and had a lot to learn! However, just experiencing the sisterhood and the love that was already growing within me for the service projects all of the contestants got to participate in throughout the community during pageant week was enough to get me hooked! For an entire year after that competition, I worked to better myself from the critiques I had received and continue building up my resume and platform. Every decision I made, even before I was competing as a local titleholder, led me on the journey to representing the state of Wyoming. I made community appearances, held fundraisers, spoke at events, spent my mornings in the gym, focused on developing healthy eating habits, did mock interviews, stayed up to date on current events, and worked tirelessly academically. When I returned for a second year, I was crowned Miss Wyoming 2017.

Being from the least populated (and probably least pageant-minded) state in the nation presented a few extra challenges along the road to Miss America. However, I had an incredible support system and community of sponsors who helped me prepare so that I felt 100% confident in myself and what I had to offer by the time I arrived at the national competition. Miss America was a dream come true, and I wouldn’t have gotten there without all of the loving people behind me. I am very grateful to come from a state and community that supported me and was eager to listen and learn about something they weren’t necessarily familiar with. After Miss America and during my year of service, I was able to reach thousands of Wyoming citizens through my service and volunteer projects. I was able to tell them about my platform, Miss America, and my passion for giving back- and most people were very receptive! Although coming from a small “pageant state” can present an extra hurdle at times, it can easily be overcome with some hard work and a genuine and understanding smile.

Overall, through my experiences competing at a state and national level, I found that one of the greatest things I was able to take away from the Miss America Organization was a sense of self-love and self-confidence. Before I left for each pageant, I had reached a point in my preparation where I knew that I had done all that I could physically do to earn the title I was competing for. At that point, it was in God’s hands. I knew that I would have made an incredible, strong Miss America 2018- but if it wasn’t in His plan for me, there was nothing I could do about that but be happy for and genuinely love and support our new Miss America! Unfortunately, it wasn’t my destiny to become Miss America. While that was obviously disappointing, I have been so thrilled to continue serving as Miss Wyoming this year! I have had amazing opportunities presented before me, and I am so thankful for each one. Furthermore, our class couldn’t have asked for a better representative in Cara. I am incredibly proud of her and honored to come from the same Miss America class.


What has been three of your most memorable experiences, while serving as Miss Wyoming for your state?
Wow- it’s so difficult to choose only 3 because every experience that I had serving others seemed to become my favorite! Ultimately, I’ve had an incredible, memorable year all-around.

Visiting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and hanging out with the kids has to top my list for my year of service. I would do absolutely anything for them. They are so resilient and inspiring that I can hardly put into words how much I admire them. Those kiddos are my true heroes. I was able to visit Children’s Hospital Colorado in Denver a few times throughout my year and spend time in Seacrest Studios with Miss Colorado, Meredith, playing games and hanging out with patients. Each of their stories is near and dear to my heart, especially since I was treated at Children’s Hospital Colorado when I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes almost 8 years ago.

Another highlight of my year of service would be working with the American Heart Association! They were so receptive of me in Wyoming that I was able to spend a majority of my spring touring the state with them, visiting schools and hosting fundraisers for Jump Rope for Heart. This provided me with an amazing opportunity to expand my outreach to thousands more students, and it even blended well with my platform, “Winning With One: Conquering Type 1 Diabetes.” Through the AHA, I was able to meet with and speak to our governor and legislators in the Wyoming House of Representatives and Senate as an advocate. I even had the chance to make an impromptu speech on the floor of the Wyoming  Senate! That will always be an honor of my lifetime, and it was made even sweeter by the heart hero children that I was able to work with during that time, especially my buddy Maverick.

Finally, a favorite part of my year would have to be Miss America Serves Day. Team Wyoming was able surpass our goal of raising $1,000 (quite a feat in a state without a single CMN Hospital and limited awareness of the MAO) by over $1,500! I am still overwhelmed with thankfulness to all who donated and attended our fundraiser and service event- it put our team within the top 15 or 20 fundraisers for Miss America- a goal and dream that I had for my year simply because of my passion for service, but I did not imagine that it would become reality!


How have you striven to not only promote your personal platform, but also your national platform towards Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals?
Wyoming is one of the only states in the nation that actually doesn’t have a CMN Hospital! Thankfully, I was able to visit Children’s Hospital of Colorado in Denver, (where most of Wyoming’s kids are treated), multiple times throughout my year of service and connect with some of the amazing patients there. I also stayed in close contact with Wyoming’s miracle kids and got to work with a few of them more closely through other organizations, such as the American Heart Association. During my year of service I hosted multiple fundraisers for these foundations, and it was my honor to give back in that way. At every event I attended, I spoke about CMNH and my role as a national goodwill ambassador to their program in order to spread awareness throughout my state and demonstrate that our very own local kids are being affected by circumstances that have them being sent to CMN Hospitals in nearby locations in Colorado and South Dakota, etc.

Furthermore, my personal platform, “Winning With One: Conquering Type 1 Diabetes,” fits into the CMNH national platform very effectively! I was able to connect with many type 1 diabetic kiddos and their families through both platforms during my year because they coincide so well, and that was a huge blessing. My personal platform partners, (the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, local support groups, and other hospitals in Wyoming), also worked with me closely to ensure that I could have a positive impact upon each organization during my reign, Thankfully, I was able to transfer a lot of information to the public through my speaking engagements at schools and other community events statewide.


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 wish the Miss America Organization nothing but success. The organization has changed my life and provided me with many opportunities to continue my education and find success in the business world after I give up my title- and I will always be grateful beyond words for that. Personally, I would not have made the same changes to the system and I am incredibly sad to see the Lifestyle and Fitness competition erased entirely. I felt strong, empowered, confident, and beautiful in those moments on stage, and I know that nothing in my life will ever compare to those feelings again. I believe that beauty and brains are not mutually exclusive, and that my Miss America class and our titleholder, Cara, are living representations of that even before these changes were introduced. All else aside, I am grateful and honored to be a part of the final original Miss America class. In the future, I look forward to supporting and encouraging our future titleholders and seeing how the system continues to evolve. I hope that Miss America will always be a relevant icon for our society, because it truly is a life-changing system and organization. Here’s to the next 100 years of empowering women!

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?
I believe that Miss America has always empowered women; and the new changes will continue to do that in a different way. I will continue to encourage young women to compete in the MAO because the organization has changed my life in the most positive way imaginable. Ultimately, whether young women are competing in a swimsuit portion or not, I believe that healthy habits and fitness are essential, and that every girl should proudly wear her confidence everywhere she goes.


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?
I encourage those people to have an open mind! Regardless of the unfortunate stigmas and stereotypes that are so common in today’s society, I believe that pageants are absolutely still relevant today. The women that compete in them are strong, intelligent, independent, and empowered. I couldn’t be prouder to be part of the Miss America Class of 2018, and the skills that I have developed from participating in the system are ones that will accompany me throughout life, both personally and professionally. Hopefully, a titleholders’ actions will always speak louder than their words, and society will be able to physically see the positive impact of their service and platform work. While everybody is entitled to their own opinion and naysayers will always be there, what matters is the advocacy and assistance that titleholders are genuinely offering to others. They are making a difference every day in their communities, and they should hold their heads high.

How do you define yourself as a role-model for others?
I try to be a strong role model by showcasing my heart for service and encouraging others to do the same, even in small ways. I believe in standing up for myself and what I believe is right- even if it is difficult or I am standing alone. Ultimately, I am not a role model because I wear a crown, but because of the actions I take to serve others with my title.


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?
There are so many challenges facing American youth today! I think the millennial generation is greatly misunderstood and often pushed into an unfair category. As a result, there’s a lot of tension in society- through politics, religion, culture, everything! There is no cure-all, but if everyone focused a little more on being kind and open minded toward one another, even when we disagree, the world would be a much better place. We should all be seeking to learn more and broaden our horizons, and we should be accepting of those that are different than us because that makes us well-rounded. There’s simply no sense in bringing each other down. Calm, educated discussions before taking action bring about positive results!

Furthermore, once we respect ourselves, we are able to respect others. It starts on a micro level with each of us internally, and only we can take accountability for ourselves and start making that change.


Now that your reign as Miss Wyoming, is coming to an end, what are your future plans?
I will be attending the University of Wyoming in the fall to continue with my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management with a minor in Entrepreneurship! I plan to be a part of various internships and small business startups as I continue on that path and obtain my MBA over the next few years. I am so excited to put the scholarships I have earned to good use, and I am very passionate about the program I am entering. I am confident that this is the perfect career path for me- big things to come!

Even though I will no longer be the current state titleholder, I know that my life has been forever  changed by this year. My love for serving others is definitely not going to fade as I give up my title, and I plan on continuing to make volunteering a priority in life after the crown. At this point, I know that I will be continuing my work with the American Heart/Stroke Association as a Strategic Action Committee member in Wyoming, and I hope to stay involved with the Miss Wyoming Scholarship Organization as the program continues to evolve and grow.

Regardless of whoever becomes the new Miss Wyoming, what is one goal you have for her, which you hope she is able to accomplish during her reign?
My greatest hope for Miss Wyoming 2018 is that she is able to continue my legacy of service and love for the people of Wyoming. It’s not always a glamorous job (especially in state where many people do not understand why you are wearing a crown!), but if you can love others openly, no matter what, you will succeed- and you will grow so much as a person too! I believe that often times we get so caught up in ourselves and what we are giving to others. However, if you develop a genuine heart for service, you will see that no matter how much you are giving, you are always receiving more. As the Miss Wyoming titleholder, you will not be paid a dime- but the smiles and hugs from children and individuals whose lives you are changing will be worth so much more. This experience truly is priceless.

To Miss Wyoming 2018, welcome to the most amazing sisterhood in the world! I am so happy for you. You are about to embark on the most incredible journey of your lifetime, and trust me, it will fly by! This is more than a job; it is an opportunity. An opportunity to love and serve, and I hope that you do so with a full heart. You are going to shatter your limitations and grow in incomprehensible ways to become an even stronger, more empowered woman. Embrace the change, but don’t forget what got you where you are or abandon your roots. Say thank-you more than you think is necessary, have courage, be humble, and be always be kind. This year is not about you, it’s about the others that you will serve, and I know that you will be an incredible representative for our state while doing it!

What words of advice do you have for the new class of contestants who are getting ready to compete for your title?
To the class of 2018, cherish every moment. I am beyond proud of each one of you, and hope you know how beautiful you all are- both inside and out. Please remember that you can never be defined by a crown, sash or title of any sort. Your value and worth far exceeds that, and whether you walk away with the title or not, I hope you are proud of the way you presented yourself in this competition. It takes a lot of courage to accomplish what you have! Each of you is fit for the job of Miss Wyoming, but we have to trust in God’s plans for our lives above our own. Trust me, His plan is better! (Even when we think differently.) Support your sister during her journey, and keep changing the world. You’re all real queens, and I’m excited to see all that you do in the future!


What words of thanks for you have for your directors, Rikki & Serene?
Thank you to the Miss Wyoming Scholarship Organization board and Outstanding Teen  directors for taking me under your wing this year, and for allowing me to become “like a daughter” to most of you. Your dedication to empowering women is incredible, and I am so thankful for the support that you have given me this year, beyond simply being board members.

Who else would you like to thank for supporting you throughout this journey?
Thank you to the volunteers and everyone else who has supported me this year. From small business sponsors to every individual who simply wished me “Good Luck,” or offered a “Congratulations,” on the street, thank you for your love and kindness.

Thank you to the organizations who included me in their services and events this year, including the American Heart Association, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Volunteers of America, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Food Group, the Soup Kitchen, the Animal Shelter, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Pheasants Forever, Operation Christmas Child, and so many more. My passion for service has bloomed this year thanks to your opportunities and inclusion, and I would like to personally thank you for making our community what it is. I believe in leaving everyone you meet better than you found them, and that everyone can give the gift of service in some capacity, be it time, money, service, or even a smile. You all help make that goal happen on a daily basis.

To the volunteers I have worked with throughout the state, you all are the ones who truly deserve a crown. Thank you for all you do for our communities and state- the difference you make is larger than you know. You are the backbone of this state and our organization, and we are all extremely grateful for your service.

Where can people follow you on social media post-reign?
Instagram: @cheyenne.buyert.
Twitter: @cheyennebuyert.

What final words do you have for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
Thank you for following my journey throughout this year of dreams! Your love and support truly means the world to me.

Please keep working and believing in yourself, and chase those dreams of yours! They are never too big or far away to reach. Remember that you were created with purpose, you have value, and you are loved; no matter what. You are called and chosen to stand out.

I am signing off with a final challenge for everyone reading this: strive to leave people better than you found them. Use your gifts and passions to serve others, no matter how “small” or insignificant you think they may be. You are making a difference.

My heart is overflowing with gratitude. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Xoxo,
Cheyenne Buyert
Miss Wyoming 2017