Category: Collegiate

Ashleigh Pates: Miss California Collegiate America

6/8/2021

Have you ever wondered what the world would be like if we all loved and valued ourselves as we are? BRAVE, to me, is about learning how to love and embrace our uniqueness. If everyone can do that, we will be able to love, value, and respect others around us. This message is important to me as I was bullied through elementary, middle, and high school. I would be made fun of for the way I spoke, my curly hair, and even the way I dressed. At a young age, when I heard these negative comments, time and time again, I couldn’t help but start to believe the things that were being said about me.

It wasn’t until I was older that I came across personal development books and audio that helped shape me to be the person I am today. I have learned to accept my differences and those characteristics that make me, me. This is why I have started my personal training business called Beautiful By Design. Through this, I help others be the best version of themselves. I have to be an excellent example for those that look up to me, which is essential for me and my business. Reading and listening to positive messages daily, I could finally see how much it impacted my life, which is why as Miss California Collegiate America 2021, I will continue to spread this beautiful message of self-love. This can be anything from eating right, working out, or even positive self talk. When we do that, we can see the beautiful and positive characteristics of every person we come across.

Faith Charles: Miss New Jersey Collegiate America

5/30/2021

From middle school and all the way to my freshman year of college, I was a victim of cyber, physical, and even verbal bullying. During these hard times, I always wished I had someone to help me understand that I needed to learn to love myself and accept who I am the way God created me. I constantly listened to what others had to say instead of knowing my own self worth. I let people belittle the things that I was passionate about and what made me authentic. Not only did I not accept who I was, others around me didn’t either. Instead of getting to know me, they judged a book by its cover.

The acronym B.R.A.V.E stands for Building Respect and Values for Everyone. This acronym means to me more than just a platform, but it is truly a lifestyle. This platform gives the opportunity for myself as well as other titleholders to shine a light on the importance of having respect and values for not only yourself, but the individuals around you as well. Through this platform, I’m able to use my past experiences to educate others on how to understand that what makes you different makes you beautiful.
During my reign as Miss New Jersey Collegiate America, I will be taking B.R.A.V.E internationally to impoverished communities where as some do lack the education of respectful social skills. Through my Gotta Have Faith Foundation that supports orphanages and schools in Haiti I will be implementing B.R.A.V.E presentations virtually and sending B.R.A.V.E care packages to teach them that where they come from doesn’t define them! It’s so important that these students understand that despite their situation they can make the best of any circumstance by having a positive attitude and respecting one another. I’m so grateful to the Miss High School America Organization for creating this incredible platform to encourage people across the nation to create respectable environments for everyone. Always remember that no matter what you look like or where we come from, we were all created for our own special purposes. Embrace who you are and embrace those around you.

Alyssa Bates: Miss Kentucky Collegiate America

4/5/2021

Looking into the mirror is a daily habit for almost everyone in the world. We check to see if our clothes fit well, if our face is presentable, and to get confirmation that we look as good, as we feel. Most of us go on about our days, and never think twice about that mirror image. Yet, others find their reflection hard to handle and wish for a different body. Sadly, I used to be one of those people. I focused on the negative things about myself, and would point out my imperfections to friends and family members. Although everyone gave encouraging words to disagree, I still believed my opinions of my body were valid.

Over the years, I have started to notice that other girls felt this way about themselves too. I realized that body issues did not just affect me, it affected many of my peers. So when I talk about what BRAVE means to me, it is not just about building respect and values for everyone, but also is about teaching young girls to build respect for themselves too.

Although building respect for myself took some time, I believe the topic of bullying yourself needs to become more of a conversation in the classroom. When I speak about BRAVE, it is a steppingstone for many kids in the classroom who have experienced the same thing and are going through the same pain I did. And like me, many have never said anything to anyone. In my presentations, I always make it a point to share with them the different resources they have to use as a support system, including talking to me.

As Miss Kentucky Collegiate America, I have taken on a mission to reach students of many different ages and backgrounds to instill skills in them that they can use to address bullying to themselves and to others. As I tell kindergarten and first grade students; it is important to fill your bucket with kindness, because when your bucket is overflowing with kindness you have the chance to share it with others. And that is why this title means much more than just a crown or sash to me. It’s a chance to show kids that were just like I was that they can truly “Love Their Reflection”.

Ryann Jerome: Miss Maine Collegiate America

3/15/2021

Hello, my name is Ryann Jerome and I am so excited to be your Miss Maine Collegiate!
What does B.R.A.V.E mean to me? It means standing up and being the voice for someone else/being your own voice. You don’t want to just stand around being a bystander, go out of your way to make sure everyone is feeling included and feels good about themselves. B.R.A.V.E is an acronym that I believe everyone should live by. That's why I believe the best way to get the B.R.A.V.E message out there is to teach it to children.

Ever since I became Miss Maine Collegiate, giving my B.R.A.V.E presentations to the next generation has been my favorite because as I'm talking I see all of them focused and hanging onto every word I'm saying.
For me that is showing that they are listening and learning how to stand up for one another.
When I was younger I was bullied ever since first grade for not being able to read or write like
the other kids. I remember this boy, that fun fact I actually had a crush on at the time, I went up
to him to talk and I remember his exact words “get away from me bad reader”. It wasn’t until
third grade when I started to become hurt by their words. We had a day where we had to bring
in white T-shirts and draw our favorite scene from a book/movie and anyone who knows me
knows I’m obsessed with Disney, so I decided to draw a scene from Beauty and the Beast. Well
everyone in the class made fun of me because I spelt the word beauty wrong. I just remember
feeling very awful about myself when everyone started laughing at me to a point where when we
got a parade around the school showing off our shirts, I sat in the class in the corner crying as I
just worked in my phonics book.

After that moment I realized that I didn’t want to have to feel like that ever again. I don’t want to be looked at as the outcast who couldn’t tell the difference between m and w or b and d. Since that day I worked hard on my grammar, comprehension, and reading everyday with a teacher. As soon as I stopped letting their words get to me, I started feeling good about myself.

As my reign being Miss Maine Collegiate, I want to start off being that voice for someone and as
time goes by I want to be able to teach them how to have a voice to stand up for themselves.
It’s like the quote says “if you give a man a fish, you feed him for a day. If you teach a man to
fish, you feed him for a life time”.

Allegra Graziano: Miss Rhode Island Collegiate America

2/22/2021

B.R.A.V.E. to me is a way to make a difference. When I was younger, I was bullied by many classmates about the way I looked (mostly my teeth) and my name. B.R.A.V.E. gives me the platform to begin discussions with all ages that can prevent the bullying so many others like myself have experienced.

Having the ability to connect with the community with B.R.A.V.E. has opened so many doors to begin very necessary conversations. Students get excited to learn and be a part of something (even if it is currently virtually). My personal platform of women’s empowerment has its footing in what B.R.A.V.E. stands for. Starting at a young age, we all must love and accept ourselves to be able to know who we are and why we are important. Finding those values within ourselves makes it possible for us to find those values within others as well!
Never did I expect to see how much B.R.A.V.E. has empowered my fellow titleholders to make a difference but also a change in myself. Connection is something we really need to foster more of in 2021 and I am honored to represent this organization and B.R.A.V.E to make a difference!

Jasmine Jones: Miss Guam Collegiate

1/31/2021

Hello Loves!
My name is Jasmine Jones and I am honored to be Miss Guam Collegiate 2021. My best friend taught me that vulnerability is brave. Authenticity is brave. What the world views as weak is really brave! Being B.R.A.V.E truly starts with learning how to be B.R.A.V.E for yourself.

As for me, I suffer from anxiety and PTSD and use to have awful depression and suicidal thoughts. The old version of who I use to be would have never shared that with anyone, let alone on a big platform! But now I'm not afraid to share the scars and wounds from my suicide attempts because others need to see that it doesn't stop you from becoming the best version of yourself. The past doesn't define your future. In this case, I was the one bullying myself. Until my best friend taught me to extend grace to myself. I'm working on my mental health just as everyone else because being a pageant queen doesn't separate me from being human. I'm a queen at heart.

B.R.A.V.E has allowed me to combine the national Miss Collegiate America bullying platform with my personal platform "Mental Health Matters".
Being truly B.R.A.V.E is healing. And I am healing with you.

Emma Ellis: Miss New Mexico Collegiate America

1/10/2021

To me, BRAVE is all about creating the most kind, and compassionate world we can,
because that world is one where bullying is unable to exist.
When I think about the limited anti-bullying messages I was taught in school, most of
them revolved around not bullying, and what to do if you are being bullied. While this is
incredibly important, and something I always cover in my BRAVE presentations, I find
that the most special and unique part about BRAVE is that it aims to defeat bullying by
teaching students kind and respectful actions they can do every day, and instilling in them
the message to share, and encourage the same in their peers.

Many of us have experienced bullying and I’m no different. In elementary and middle
school I was relentlessly teased and physically attacked a number of times. Speaking up
was hard because I was terrified that calling attention to the issue would only increase the
chances it happened again. It was only with the backing of my friends that I had the
courage to finally say something; but I know there are so many kids that will never find
that same strength, and will continue to feel alone in their struggle.

That is why BRAVE can be life changing. If we teach every student to be aware of their
peers: ask someone new to have lunch or play with them, give someone a compliment, or
ask someone how they are doing, we will create an incredible domino effect to change
the status-quo. Respectful actions make a world of difference and the more we can
promote inclusion for everyone the less bullying can exist in our classrooms: being aware
of others, and looking out for everyone around us.

As Miss New Mexico Collegiate it’s my mission to continue my work with BRAVE on a
larger scale, and spread the message the ‘You Belong’. Presenting to classrooms across
the country, I want every kid to be equipped with the tools to help foster compassion in
their classroom. I’ve been the kid who was left out, who didn't fit it— so when I can walk
into a classroom with a shiny crown on my head, they see me as a ‘princess’; but when I
talk to them, and share my story, they understand they are not alone, and hopefully begin
to find the courage they need— and the support of their peers, to overcome.

Krista Hinrichs: Miss Nebraska Collegiate America

1/6/2021

B.R.A.V.E to me is an exciting and innovative opportunity to educate people of all ages about all aspects of bullying. This platform provides a safe space to discuss what bullying looks like, how to prevent bullying from happening, and what to do if we see bullying taking place.

B.R.A.V.E has allowed me the opportunity to not only educate others about this topic, but connect with others on an individual and personal level as well. One aspect I have enjoyed incorporating into the message of B.R.A.V.E is the importance of understanding where each of us come from and what makes each of us unique. I believe it is very important for us to fully understand our individual values and what makes us who we are while also learning about others around us and what they value as well.

Once we gain a better understanding of our personal values we can start conversations about differences we have with others. We also learn how to respect other’s differences and learn to value what others have experienced throughout the conversation.

Watching this platform come to life through others is truly inspiring and as Miss Nebraska Collegiate I will continue to educate others through the message of B.R.A.V.E and all of its connecting aspects with people of all ages as well as continuously looking into new ways to make an impact with this platform.

Ronelle Valera: Miss Collegiate America

10/19/2020

Aloha! My name is Ronelle and I am the reigning Miss Collegiate America. Growing up in a small town in Hawaiʻ,i I was an easy target for being bullied. There were only so many people in my town and I was the girl with crooked teeth, really bad eczema, and I didn't have many friends. I remember how kids wouldn't want to sit by me at lunch and would call me the cruelest names. I even recall the adults talk about me in a negative way and these were the people who are supposed to support and be there for students. It felt like everyone around me would bully me and I would never want to leave my home. I would wear long sleeves and jeans in 90 degree humid Hawaiʻi weather to make sure that no one would see my skin.

This is why B.R.A.V.E means so much to me. I never want anyone to have to feel the way that I did. B.R.A.V.E really helped me see that in order to be there for other people I really need to build respect and values for myself first. I learned that only I can define my own beauty and at the end of the day only my opinion of myself should really matter. I am now so confident in my skin (literally) and I encourage others to feel the same way with B.R.A.V.E. One thing to remember is that bullying has a lot more to do with the bully and less to do with us. Always be kind and treat others the way that you want to be treated!