AW: What motivated you to run for Miss Wellington Teen?

TM: My inspiration to run for Miss Wellington Teen USA derived

Taylor Matthews (Miss Teen Wellington USA)

 from a multitude of reasons. As a BookPal Volunteer, I saw this as an opportunity to spread the awareness of my platform: the growing crisis of children’s literacy in the nation. As a scholar, the Florida Teen USA title offered a $40,000 scholarship to Nova Southeastern University and to be able to achieve this would help me in the pursuit of dreams and career goals. And as a teenager myself, being able to mentor young girls and help them discover their creativity, individuality, and self-confidence is a reward in itself.

AW: Describe the pageant?  What did you have to do for it?

The pageant itself is divided in three categories: personality, physical fitness, and evening gown. So the competition began with a one-minute onstage interview where each delegate described themselves, their hobbies, academics, and career goals. Afterwards came the onstage Q & A and following was the swimsuit portion and evening gown. That day was a whirlwind of emotions and excitement, gave me the chance to make good friends with the other delegates, and most importantly have fun!

AW: What was the most challenging part of it?

In any competition, you fear the unknown; therefore everyone’s most dreaded part of the pageant is the question and answer portion of it. And while I always have butterflies in my stomach, I stay calm, take a deep breath, and answer with all of my confidence. I have faith in my beliefs, and goals, which in turn give me all of the confidence in the world.

What will you do to prepare for the October Miss Florida Teen competition?

I still have a few months left before October arrives, but every

 day, every minute, is another minute that I can use to prepare myself to the best of my abilities. Working out each day is a part of my routine as well as practicing a healthy lifestyle. My friends and family have been so supportive of me, aiding me in my preparation, but what I have learned is that in order to succeed in this competition you must not only be physically prepared, but mentally and emotionally as well.

Tell us how you were able to achieve a 4.8 GPA? What are your favorite subjects?  

To be able to achieve a 4.8 GPA was no small feat for me. Taking high-school courses in middle school like Spanish 1 & 2 helped me boost my GPA by adding to my earned class credits. While I greatly enjoy all of my classes, it’s a tight race between English, where I can indulge in my love for reading, and Legal Studies, where I can participate in mock-trial and study case law. This past year I also took my first AP course, in World History and this only added to the mountains of homework from all of my other Honors Classes. But with hard work and dedication I was able to finish with an A for the semester as well as passing with a 5 on the AP World History Exam, a perfect score, gaining a college credit by doing so! Next year I plan to take all Honors Courses along with AP US History and AP Language and Composition.

Tell us about BookPALs?  What have you learned from doing it?  How can others get involved in it?

BookPals is a national, non-profit organization with one goal in mind: improving children’s literacy by reading to children at a younger age. When I was in third grade I was involved in local theater and heard about this volunteer organization through the SAG Foundation for Actors. I thought, “What could be better than a child reading to children?” I had always been a bookworm and wanted other children to have that same passion that I do. Anyone can join this organization and people of all ages can become a member, all you need is the zeal to read. After eight years of volunteering for this organization, I have realized that it’s not about what I’ve taught these kids, it’s about what they’ve taught me.

How did you become concerned, in particular, about the homeless?

As a member of Broward County 4-H, I was invited to the Homeless Shelter two years ago to help with their Annual Christmas Party for the children living there. So I brought with me a box of books donated by the BookPals organization chosen for gender and grade-level to pass out to the children. During the party I had the delight of reading holiday stories to the children and realized that this would be something that I would love to continue doing. I returned last year and read again, but now at my school, I have been recruiting students who would be interested in tutoring and reading to children there. As a goal for the soon-to-be Pembroke Pines Charter High School English Honor Society, we want to help these students especially because of the situation they’re in and how we can help. Students at the elementary school that I read to are given advantages and read to daily, while children at the Homeless Shelter are faced with disadvantages every day, because of decreased funding in public schools. So I’ve made it my mission to help these kids and give them a passion for reading and knowledge, in order to help them in their futures.

Your career goal is to become a corporate attorney and eventually a Supreme Court Justice.  What attracted you to this goal? 

I began public speaking when I was in 4^th grade in an oratorical contest. After competing and speaking at several 4-H County and District Events, I saw myself speaking for a living, namely as a lawyer. Public speaking became a part of me, I had always loved to do it, and that love grew in my sophomore year of high school when I enrolled in a Legal Studies course and Debate class. I was honored this past year with the award of Most Outstanding Law Studies Student, as well as winning the Original Oratory category for my school’s Debate Tournament. This all leads to my career goals, where I can use my voice to speak for those who can’t necessarily find the words themselves. I see law in my future, eventually becoming a prelude for politics, and at the end of the journey in Washington, D.C. as a Supreme Court Justice.

What’s a good fashion or make-up tip for younger girls who might not know about these things?

A good fashion tip that I always follow is when you pick out what to wear, be yourself! Be creative and inspiring in fashion, not what others want you to wear. And as for makeup, always remember that you are beautiful on the inside and out; makeup only hides the true you!

Do you have a good self-esteem tip for younger girls, who are not quite as confident?

 “Believe in your dreams and they may come true; believe in yourself and they will come true”. This quote represents everything that all young girls must remember, to be confident in your dreams, aspirations, and yourself.

What are your hobbies?

I’m sure that you can guess by now that I am “a bit” of a reader. Reading is my passion and always will be. I am also a devotee to writing poetry, as some of my pieces have been featured in the District Literary Fair, and also enjoy volunteering at my old elementary school for BookPals, the Kidz Korner Rehabilitation Center, and the Southwest Regional Library. I was also recently appointed as a member on my city’s Teen Advisory Council at the YMCA where we will be active to encourage other teens in the community to volunteer as well as learn about municipal government.

Anything else?

I would just like to say that what I have learned the key to success is faith in yourself, what you stand for, determination, and perseverance.