Miss Earth United States 2018 is all set to organize its grand finale on 14th July 2018 where delegates from all over the States will compete for the national crown. Andreia Gibau, the reigning Miss Earth United States, will crown her successor at the end of the event finale.
But before that, here we have Miss Colorado Earth United States 2018 Bre L’Estrange sharing her experience and journey of being the national delegate of Miss Earth United States 2018 in an exclusive interview with Angelopedia.
Q. How does it feel to be the winner of Miss Colorado Earth United States 2018 and a delegate of Miss Earth United States 2018?
It is such an honor. Ever since I was a little girl I have always wanted to make a change while empowering others to follow their dreams. It’s surreal to think that I will be competing at Miss Earth United States in just a little under two months while advocating for environmental awareness and being a beauty for a cause.
Q. What is the best lesson you’ve learnt in your journey as the delegate of Miss Earth United States 2018?
Consistency is key, passion is essential. Staying consistent with raising awareness for our environment is so important whether that is recycling, using stainless steel straws, or growing your own ecosystem. All of these things are small actions that can make a huge impact on our Earth. Taking action is a huge part but never losing hope and staying passionate about these issues is essential. Making connections with others as well as taking action to make a change and spread environmental awareness is the perfect formula for positive change.
Q. What is the one thing that keeps you going and inspires you to be the best version of yourself?
First and foremost, my loved ones. I would not be where I am today without my family and their constant support. My mom is my biggest inspiration because she has not only taught me how to be a strong, independent woman but to give back in any way I can while having a voice for things that matter. My boyfriend is a huge part of my journey and life, he is my biggest supporter and never goes a day without encouraging me and letting me know how proud he is of me. I am inspired every single day to be the best version of myself not only for my loved ones and others but for me.
Q. We would love to know more about your advocacy to save the Planet Earth and what drove you to choose it?
I was born and raised in a small town, Glenwood Springs, Colorado. This town is located and surrounded by beautiful mountains, lakes, and the best hiking trails you can imagine. Taking steps to save our planet and appreciate the environment has always been a part of my life. My main advocacy to save our Planet Earth, stemmed from my favorite hiking spot called “Hanging Lake.” Hanging Lake is a unique crystal blue lake that sits at the bottom of a waterfall where locals and tourists take an hour-long hike to get to. Recently my town has had to take certain precautions and actions towards preserving hanging lake because of the increase of heavy foot traffic and water quality within visiting the trail every day. This place is a part of my heart and I am going to do everything I can to raise awareness for this issue as well as many environmental issues going on today.
Q. How would you like to represent yourself at the national stage of Miss Earth United States 2018?
I would like to represent myself at Miss Earth United States by showing the contestants and judges my 100% unapologetic self. I want to be viewed as a strong, independent, empowering woman who has a voice and uses it for positive change within our environment. It is an honor to be Miss Colorado Earth and I want to be able to not only pass down the legacy of the Miss Earth Org. but create my own in the process.
Q. Who is your ideal, if any and what values of theirs do you wish you could inculcate in your own life, and teach the next generation?
My Idol would have to be all of the strong women of this world (specifically my mom). I feel women empowerment and equality is on the rise and I want to be able to be a voice in this journey. In my life, I have always strived for empowerment within myself and others, so what I hope to do is teach the younger generations to empower one another and understand that we are all equal. Each person has a dream, a goal, a passion and if all of us continue to come together and make a positive change who knows what this world is capable of.
Q. If you could be invisible for a day, how would you like to spend it?
If I could be invisible for a day I would use it to go to children’s hospitals all across the world. Environmental awareness is a huge platform of mine, but I am also very involved with Love Your Melon which helps fund and raises awareness for pediatric cancer research. I would want to collect as much information as possible on this issue and help further the process to one day find a cure for cancer. My grandmother struggled with cancer twice and is a two-time survivor, she was my main inspiration to start volunteering and spending time in the field. So, to have the ability to be invisible I would use it to my advantage to seek out information that would not be easy to come by if I were visible.
Q. Would you like to share your most special childhood memory with us?
My most special childhood memory would be when my mom and I would decorate our house for every holiday. Whether that was Christmas, Halloween, Easter, even St. Patrick’s Day. Celebrating is a huge part of my life and I am so grateful for all the countless memories and blessings I have in my life.
Q. What or who empowers you to be yourself and work hard every day?
What empowers me every day to be myself and work hard are my dreams. I have a dream journal where I write all of my goal and aspirations in life. This helps me not only observe things I need to improve on but how I can reach my goals. I want to be able to look back and say I was the woman, me as a little girl wanted to be.
Q. What is the one thing you can label as your guilty pleasure?
Netflix and In-and-out. I am a major homebody even though I love eating healthy and working out, my guilty pleasure would have to be staying home in my PJs binge watching my favorite show while eating a cheeseburger (and of course animal fries).
Q. We’re sure that this competition is another milestone in your life. What is that one thing that you ultimately want to achieve?
I want to achieve growth. Whether that is within this platform or myself, I want to walk away from this competition feeling satisfied and content with how I not only represented Colorado but myself.
Q. If you are granted 3 wishes right now, what would you ask for?
I would wish to win the title of Miss Earth United States, eternal health & happiness for my family, and for three more wishes to devote to climate change, pollution, and toxicity of marine life.
Q. Lastly, is there any message that you would like to give to your fans of Angelopedia?
Be Yourself. No one is as authentic and unique as you are. We live in a world full of certain “labels” and “standards” but really the biggest standard you should have is how hard can you work for your dream; how much you can push yourself to succeed and how much change you can make. We are all in this together! Thank you Angelopedia fans and your support, if you have a dream go chase it. You can achieve anything you set your mind to.