By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News | Photo courtesy of the Miss Carbon County Scholarship Orginization
As the Miss Carbon County and Miss Teen Carbon County pageant approaches on Saturday, Aug. 16, outgoing royalty Miss Carbon County Shalyce Rauhala and Miss Teen Carbon County Burcklee Brady joined the KOAL newsroom to reflect on their time with the Miss Carbon County Scholarship Organization.
Opening our conversation, Brady shared her favorite memory from her time as Miss Teen Carbon County: “So as Miss Teen, I got to go to Miss Utah’s Teen, and that was an incredible experience. Thanks to all my amazing sponsors, I got to go. And the stage was just so amazing, to perform in front of all of my favorite people. I wouldn’t take anything back from that week. It was seriously the best.”
Brady also discussed her platform, “Hashtag Social Media Smart,” which taught school-aged children about staying safe online. “I love going to classrooms all the time. I have a book, and it tells my story and offers tips and advice on social media safety. And I love the kids’ reactions, because they’re all super surprised, because my story is where I was sent personal photos and then later tracked … When it happened to me, I was in sixth grade, and just seeing all the sixth graders that I talked to them about, they’re like, ‘Oh, that really happened to you.’ And it brings a little light bulb in their brain, and it makes them think a lot more about social media.”
Brady also passed on advice for the next Miss Teen Carbon County,” One thing I would give is to spread your platform as much as you can, because through the year, you don’t have that much time, spread it as much as you can. Because that’s something you should be passionate about. That’s something that you should love that you should be able to spread about.”
She added,” And another thing I would say is get close with your littles. I look up to them so much, even though they say they’re supposed to look up to me and Shalyce. But I look up to them so much, and it’s going to be super sad not seeing them every day.”
Next to the mic was Rauhala , who reflected first on standout experiences she had as Miss Carbon County,” There are so many memories I could go over. This whole year has just been the best experience I could ever have. But any memory with my royalty sisters is just the best … It’s so special, our bonds, and just going through this year of being with them, giving back to our community, going on our Ensenada, Mexico trip for a humanitarian trip, and being able to spread my platform has been the best thing I could ever do.”
She also cited the opportunity to compete at the Miss Utah pageant as a key memory,” It meant so much. Being able to bring my platform statewide is something so important to me. With having mental health issues through my family and friends, and personally experiencing it, being able to talk about it and bring it to the attention of people in the state of Utah was so important. And building those relationships with other sash sisters throughout Utah was so much fun. And just being able to have women support women was so important.”
Rauhala also shared advice for the next generation of Miss Carbon County participants: “Make sure your platform is something you’re passionate about. It’s something you have a whole year to do to be able to have a voice and bring awareness to. So make sure you’re passionate about it because it’s made this year so much better for me.” She added,” Just enjoy the time. It goes so fast. And to build that relationship with your royalty sisters, you’re going to laugh like family. You’re going to fight like family. You’re going to love like family. But just remember that in the end, what’s important is your relationship. So make sure that you stand close to those around you.”
Castle Country Radio would like to thank Miss Teen Carbon County Burcklee Brady and Miss Carbon County Shalyce Rauhala for all they have done for the Castle Country community and wish them luck in their future endeavors.