Exclusive interview with the new Miss Vermont.
By Deepak Chitnis
WASHINGTON, DC: The Miss Vermont 2014 pageant, which was held on April 26, concluded with the crowning of Lucy Edwards as the state’s new reigning beauty queen. Edwards, of Indian origin, will now go on to the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City, New Jersey this September, where she will compete to succeed Nina Davuluri – the current Miss America, and the first ever of Indian origin – for the crown.
Originally from Virginia, Edwards’ Indian-origin mother was born and raised in Trinidad & Tobago, while her father is from the northern Virginia area, just outside of Washington, D.C. One of five siblings, whose ages range from 17 to 31, Edwards just completed her sophomore year at the University of Vermont, where she is pursuing a degree in Neuroscience. She also spends her free time singing, cooking, and running.
In this exclusive interview with The American Bazaar, Edwards talks about how she got into pageantry, what her plans for the future are, and what she hopes to accomplish as Miss Vermont and, possibly, as the next Miss America.
Excerpts from the interview:
What got you interested in pageantry? When did you decide to enter the Miss Vermont pageant, and how did your friends and family react?
I’ve always been a performer. I’ve been singing since I was four years old. However, I never really considered entering a pageant (only because I had plenty of other things to keep me busy!). I was in school at UVM for about a year and half before I decided to enter the Miss Vermont Scholarship Competition. I decided to participate because, as I said, it’s a scholarship competition, and out of state tuition isn’t cheap! I think what really stuck with me when I was researching the program that it was as much about brains (really, more!) as it was beauty! My friends and family were so supportive and excited for me throughout the process, and it meant everything to me to have them at the competition cheering me on
The current Miss America, Nina Davuluri, is obviously not just of Indian origin, but is the first such woman to win the crown. How big of an influence and inspiration was Nina on your decision to vie for the Miss Vermont crown?
I was overjoyed to see Nina become Miss America last year. She is such an inspiring woman. Seeing someone I can identify with very closely, for so many reasons, was really encouraging for me in wanting to enter the Miss Vermont scholarship competition.
What was the pageant process like, in terms of going from someone interested in becoming Miss Vermont, to actually competing in the pageant, to finally winning the crown? What was that feeling like when your name was announced as the winner?
I decided to apply to compete for Miss Vermont in January. I was a Preliminary Titleholder, so I went to workshops held by the Miss Vermont Scholarship Organization in the months leading up to the competition. My title was “Miss Catamount,” because the mascot at my school, the University of Vermont, is the Catamount!
I had to eat healthy and exercise to prepare for the competition, of course. Mostly, I just practiced, practiced, practiced! The weekend of the competition was nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time. We had rehearsals for two days, then on Saturday morning, the interviews began. The off-stage interview is one that many people aren’t aware of. The contestants have a business-professional interview with the judges’ panel that covers everything from current events to international affairs to your personal platform!
The format of the on-stage competition is much like that which you see at Miss America. My favorite part is the talent competition! It was surreal to hear my name called as Miss Vermont! I was definitely in shock for a few hours after. I can already tell that this is going to be the experience of a lifetime.
The Miss Vermont website says that you’re currently pursuing a degree in Neuroscience at the University of Vermont. What do you plan to do professionally? Do you have any plans to continue with modeling and pageantry in any capacity?
I am going to pursue a career as a neurosurgeon. I’m hoping to continue with modeling and pageantry in some capacity. I especially want to volunteer with the Miss Vermont and Miss America Scholarship Organizations (MVSO). MVSO is run entirely by volunteers, and all the money received goes towards bettering the program and providing more scholarships to young women.
As Miss Vermont, you’ve chosen the B+ Foundation as the charity you represent; talk about how you chose the B+ Foundation, and why you chose them over other organizations?
The B+ Foundation is an amazing non-profit organization founded in memory of Andrew McDonough. Andrew was a young man who fought a brief, but very courageous, battle with leukemia. His family created the organization to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer research and to provide support the children and families of children going through treatment. I was the marketing and PR coordinator for UVMaraTHON, an event at my college that raises money for the B+ Foundation. I met Joe McDonough, Andrew’s father, in February, and he was especially instrumental in me choosing this as my platform. Andrew’s story is a call to action, and you can’t help but want to get involved when you hear Joe speak.
Now that you’re Miss Vermont, what is your schedule like between now and Miss America in September? What kind of promotional responsibilities do you have, and how do you plan to balance that with your demanding academic workload?
Now that I am Miss Vermont, I am embarking on my “year of service.” I will be traveling to every corner of Vermont to speak at civic engagements, volunteer, meet with the people of Vermont, attend parades and festivals, and promote my personal platform and that of the Miss America Scholarship Organization, the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.
In the midst of all that, I will also be meeting with all my amazing sponsors to get ready for Miss America, including my personal trainer, hairstylist, wonderful gown designers, makeup artists–among others that I can’t possibly thank enough. I really do have a tough major, and my workload was a lot even before I became Miss Vermont.
However, my schoolwork is not only my first priority, but also that of Miss Vermont Scholarship Organization, because scholarship is one of the four points of the Miss America crown (along with service, success, and style). I will do everything I can to continue to excel in school and also serve the state of Vermont to the best of my ability.
What advice, if any, would you have for other young girls aspiring to enter beauty pageants or become models, especially Indian American girls? Do you agree with the perception that such pageants and competitions are belittling and denigrating towards women?
I would encourage girls to become involved with programs like the Miss America Organization. They provide millions in scholarship money, and also teach important life skills like scholarship and leadership. I would, however, want to tell those girls, especially Indian American young women, to stay true to themselves. This should be an amazing experience, and you will enjoy it so much more if you show the judges the real Lucy, or Nina!
I know that some people think that “beauty pageants” are degrading and belittling towards women. The Miss America Organization celebrates the differences that make all of us beautiful, and it celebrates the fact that women can be pretty, and also intelligent, compassionate, and amazing leaders! I am in awe of the women I’ve met in this program, and you’d only need to spend about 30 seconds with one of them to know that we are all much, much more than a pretty face.
1 Comment
I am confused Mis. Vt . from Virginia and India doesn’t make any sense to me.