Contestant 11: Abigail Vancini
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, Devil’s Advocate interviewed them and got their side of the story.
DEVIL’S ADVOCATE: Why do you want to be Miss Stanton? ABBIE VANCINI: I want to be Miss Stanton for the leadership role and being a good example and a good representative of what Stanton is through academic integrity and diversity.
DA: How would you describe your relationship with the other contestants? AV: I love everyone who is competing. I would say that this has definitely been an opportunity for me to get closer to some of the girls that I haven’t had any classes with. I would say our relationship is really good. We’re all there to build each other up. It’s not as much a competition as it is bonding.
DA: How do you stand out from the other contestants? AV: I’m involved in more activities than some of the other contestants, in activities in school and out of school.
DA: How would you use the title of Miss Stanton to do good? AV: I would set a good example and work with the leadership students next year. I would do everything I could to continue what we’re about at Stanton and continue our traditions like pep rallies and other activities.
DA: Who is your biggest role model and how do they inspire you? AV: My biggest role models would have to be my parents. They gave me so much, so I look up to them and respond by trying to give back to others the way that they did for me through my adoption.
DA: How would you balance your role of Miss Stanton with your other responsibilities? AV: I am very busy. However, I try really hard to have good time management. It’s all about not procrastinating and prioritizing studies over everything else. I definitely try to finish my work first and use my time wisely. I’m involved in other things that I’ve been balancing things since freshman year. I’ve always been quite involved, but I’ll be able to fit it in well.
DA: What other contestant do you feel would fulfill the role of Miss Stanton well? AV: I think Isabelle Delosreyes would be a great representative because of her positivity and her involvement in school. I know she also works really hard for her studies and I think that plays a large role in being Miss Stanton, considering that you’re representing such a big school known for their academic studies.
DA: What are a few causes that you are passionate about? AV: I’m definitely passionate about energy efficiency and I’m very big on Tesla, and everything that is saving the environment for the future generations. I’m also very passionate about the arts and creativity, especially in a learning environment. I think that it's important that children have the opportunity to express themselves through art.
DA: What advice would you give to underclassmen considering participating in Miss Stanton in the future? AV: I would tell them to focus on the relationships that you’re making, because win or lose that is one thing you’re going to take away from the experience. Also, to just be yourself.
DA: What does the title of Miss Stanton mean to you? AV: I believe Miss Stanton is someone who is responsible inside and outside of school. I believe that it is someone who is involved in school.
DA: What is the most valuable lesson you have learned from Miss Stanton? AV: Being yourself is the most important lesson I’ve learned. Miss Stanton is something that is supposed to embrace your uniqueness, and the only way to do that is to stay true to yourself.