Contestant 13: Julie Boulos

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (SCPDA): With the Miss Stanton Pageant around the corner, the pressure is on for all the young women who are participating to represent Stanton. To understand their hopes for the pageant and what they have taken away from it, the Devil’s Advocate interviewed them and got their side of the story.

DEVIL’S ADVOCATE: As Miss Stanton, how would you improve the school? JULIE BOULOS: I would improve the school by making sure all of the students had a voice and that their complaints were accurately heard. I would make sure everyone felt heard and represented.

DA: What sets you apart from your competitors? JB: I feel as though what sets me apart from my competitors is that I’ve really been through it all. I’ve been the star student and I’ve also allowed my grades to falter a little bit. I have friends from all different areas of the school so I feel I am a really well-rounded person in terms of Stanton as a school. I can accurately relate to everyone in all parts of the school.

DA: What does the title of Miss Stanton mean to you? JB: To me, the title of Miss Stanton means everyone looks up to you and you are literally representing the school with that title. Therefore, it holds meaning to the students because you are walking around as the representation of what Stanton should be as a school, so you have to conduct yourself as such.

DA: Who do you look up to as a role model? JB: My role model would be my mom because she’s always taught me to just go for anything, and she’s really proud that I’m going for this because it is so different from what I usually do. She’s definitely my role model because she inspires me to go after what I want and try new things.

DA: As Miss Stanton, what type of role model will you be for your peers? JB: As Miss Stanton, I would want all the students to look at me, especially the girls, and say “Oh, well if she’s doing it than I can do it too.” I want them to look up to me and realize that it’s possible for anyone to do it no matter their race, their color, or their ethnicity. Anyone can be Miss Stanton and anyone can try new things.

DA: How has the candidacy for Miss Stanton affected you? JB: It’s definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone. If I were to think about last year, I would have never thought about doing this. It’s crazy to think that now I’m actually in the running for Miss Stanton. It’s definitely something new.

DA: If you are selected, what will be your first action as Miss Stanton? JB: My first action as Miss Stanton would be to make sure all of the students have a voice and felt like they were heard about their issues.

DA: If you do not win, how do you plan to better the school? JB: Even if I don’t win, I want to continue making sure everyone feels heard. I want people to come up to me if they have problems. I want to be the voice between the administration and the students. I want to be able to relay problems over to the offices and administration and give the message that as students we are important and we can be stressed. Sometimes that stress can be a burden physically, mentally, and emotionally and I want to make sure the administration understands that.

DA: How would you describe Miss Stanton’s role to other students? JB: I feel as though the role of Miss Stanton is important to where everyone is looking up to you and you are a representation of what Stanton should be as a school, so you must be a well-rounded individual as well.

DA: How do you plan to work with your competitors to improve Stanton? JB: I really plan on listening to what they all have to say. I love all the girls and they have such great ideas. I think that if we all work together we can come up with ways to improve Stanton as a whole.