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 New England Earth United States 2018 Isabella Brie Bennett sharing her experience and journey of being the national delegate of Miss Earth United States 2018 in an exclusive interview with Angelopedia.

1. How does it feel to be the winner of Miss New England Earth United States 2018 and a delegate of Miss Earth United States 2018?

Being chosen to hold a title within such a prestigious organization is a blessing, and to be honest it still feels like a dream in the best possible way. I have so much love for where I come from, so having the opportunity to represent my region on a national level is both a privilege and an honor. Every day I get to wake up with the knowledge that I can use my current position to make a positive difference in my community, which is truly something special. If I had to choose one word to describe how it feels to be Miss New England Earth United States 2018 it would be elation.

2. What is the best lesson you’ve learnt in your journey as the delegate of Miss Earth United States 2018?

There is a quote by the famous Japanese writer RyunosukeSatoro that I feel best communicates the biggest lesson I have learned so far on this odyssey; “Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean.”.  What I love most about the Miss Earth organization is that every delegate on a local, state, and national level has a unified mission of environmental responsibility. When educated and passionate individuals unite for a common cause, our collective voices become a powerful catalyst for change.

3. What is the one thing that keeps you going and inspires you to be the best version of yourself?

The relationships that I have cultivated over my lifetime are my biggest motivation. My family and friends are everything to me. I am very fortunate to have a wonderful support system behind me and I want to do everything that I can to make them proud. When people willingly choose to stay in your life it means that they see something in you that you might not necessarily see in yourself; that notion absolutely inspires me to try to be the best person that I can possibly be.

4. We would love to know more about your advocacy to save the Planet Earth and what drove you to choose it?

At an early age my parents instilled within me a love and respect for nature. I was brought up to believe that the earth is our home and that it is our responsibility to protect it. As I got older, I began to see the destruction that humanity was inflicting on our planet. It became my personal objective to become better educated about the environment and its deteriorating health. Once I had a better understanding of the challenges and threats that our environment is facing, it was clear to me that man is the biggest problem our planet is facing and that we are also the solution. I knew that I wanted to be at the forefront of the environmentally conscious movement and that the best way for me to do so was to lead by example. I began incorporating sustainable practices into my lifestyle and advocating for our planet by helping others to develop an understanding of what is happening and why these issues matter. By educating others on the impact that humans have on earth’s delicate ecosystems and the organism that call our planet home, my hope is that I can help to create a greener future for the generations that follow.

5. How would you like to represent yourself at the national stage of Miss Earth United States 2018?

When competing in a pageant you always want to highlight the best aspects of yourself. I want to be able to emphasize that I am a well-informed, well spoken, confident woman. I walk through life with a sense of purpose and that is something I strive to carry over into my performance. My hope is that I am able to communicate the different facets of my personality through my wardrobe selection and composure on stage.

6. 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?

I do not have a singular ideal but rather several individual who possess qualities that I admire. I hold Malala Yousafzai in high esteem for her courage. I admire President Barack Obama’s poise in difficult situations, Ellen DeGeneres’s wit, and Vice President Al Gore’s dedication to the climate crisis. Every person that we encounter has at least one positive attribute that we could benefit from incorporating into our own life. At the end of the day I think the trait that I reverence the most is humility because without it we could not possible see the good in others.

7. If you could be invisible for a day, how would you like to spend it?

As a huge comic book fan, I would want to complete some big heroic action like stopping a robbery. Invisibility, even if only for 24 hours, is a super power and it would be cool to do something good for society. However if crime fighting wasn’t an option for the day, I would want to travel somewhere exotic. Just think of how exciting it would be to take a fee solo trip to someplace new. It would be the adventure of a lifetime.

8. Would you like to share your most special childhood memory with us?

Everyone has a specific childhood memory that has helped to define who they are as a person and I am very fortunate that mine is a positive memory. For me the most special memory I have is of the day my little brother, William, was born.  Holding him for the first time was a defining moment in my life because within an instant I learned that it was possible to give someone your whole heart and expect nothing in return. At eight years old I knew I had a friend for life.

9. What or who empowers you to be yourself and work hard every day?

Finding ways to empower myself is something that I work on continuously. While there is nothing wrong with feeling empowered because of others actions or encouragement, I think being able to self-reflect and find our own inner strength is crucial to our personal development. Our most important relationship is with ourselves and it takes time to learn how to build ourselves up from the inside out. Self-empowerment is a process but a necessary one.

10. What is the one thing you can label as your guilty pleasure?

I love the US television show “Survivor”.  I could binge watch an entire season if I had nothing else to do. No-one wants to admit that they love reality TV but it is without a doubt my guilty pleasure.

11. We’re sure that this competition is another milestone in your life. What is that one thing that you ultimately want to achieve?

My ultimate goal is to create a life that I don’t need a vacation from. I want to be able to make a successful living doing what I love. I want to surround myself with people who nourish my soul. And someday in my old age, I would like to look back at my life and feel as though my existence was both happy and fulfilling.

12. If you are granted 3 wishes right now, what would you ask for?

If granted three wishes with no limitations, I would first wish to destigmatize mental illness in conjunction with more affordable access to treatment options. I would then wish for the eradication of rape culture from our society. Finally, I would wish for the earth to be able to heal itself faster than the rate at which our species is damaging it.

13. Lastly, is there any message that you would like to give to your fans of Angelopedia?

I would like to express my love and appreciation to everyone who took the time to read tis interview. Thank you for following my journey to the 2018 Miss Earth United States Pageant and for supporting our organization! To stay up to date on my adventures be sure to follow me on Instagram @isabella.brie and like the official Miss New England Erath United States Facebook page.