Q&A: Miss Stanton rachel bitutsky

By SALMA DREW

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (SCPDA) — On the evening of Feb. 24, 2018, fifteen junior girls from Stanton College Preparatory School competed for the title of Miss Stanton. In the end, Rachel Bitutsky was crowned the winner. To understand her thoughts and ambitions as Miss Stanton in the upcoming year, the Devil’s Advocate interviewed her after the pageant.

DEVIL'S ADVOCATE: What do you think set you apart from the other contestants?

RACHEL BITUTSKY: I think the night of the show, what definitely set me apart was the talent performance. I started learning my piano piece the day after last year’s Miss Stanton pageant, because I wanted to have a really strong talent performance. I knew that would be one of my strengths when it came to my chance to win. I also think that I had a very strong interview.

DA: What are your aspirations as Miss Stanton?

RB: As Miss Stanton, I want to do a really good job of representing the school in various events, like the School Choice Expo and Taste of IB, and just do a really nice job of serving as the representation of everything that Stanton is: its diversity, its academic prestige, its strengths in extracurricular and everything it has to offer.

DA: Now that you are Miss Stanton, what would you say to girls in the future who would like to compete?

RB: I would definitely say that it is an opportunity to consider doing. I know that I was very cynical of pageants when I first considered doing Miss Stanton, but throughout the experience, I have come to realize that it is about so much more than outer beauty. I would never want a girl who thinks she is not pretty enough to compete in Miss Stanton be the reason that she holds back from participating in this opportunity.

DA: What did you have to overcome to make the choice to participate in Miss Stanton?

RB:  I definitely had to overcome stage fright. Even though I have been playing piano since I was six years old, I still have bad stage fright. I also had to overcome this when I did my platform speech, because public speaking is one of my biggest fears, and I think I was able to overcome that well. I think just entering the pageant I had to overcome the idea that if I win I would become a public figure, and that made me really scared, but also really excited.

DA: How has the meaning of the title Miss Stanton changed for you since you competed?

RB: I definitely think I thought Miss Stanton didn't have as many responsibilities. When I was a freshman, I thought she was just a pretty face, and she didn't actually have to be the face of the school as much as I understand I have to be now.

DA: How do you think your leadership experience as president of Youth in Government and Great Decisions will prepare you to represent the school as Miss Stanton?

RB: I definitely think that my experience in leadership positions has given me the necessary skills, such as public speaking and being able to command a room. I think also being involved in those extracurricular activities has given me a sense of what Stanton is all about, and why Stanton excels, and that will help me represent the school as Miss Stanton.

DA: What would you say to your fellow Miss Stanton contestants?

RB: I'm so proud of all of you guys, I'm so happy that this experience brought us all together, and I have fourteen new friends. Every one of you is just as deserving of the title as I am, and I am so honored that I get to be Miss Stanton on your behalf.

DA: How have you changed after the experience?

RB: I definitely think that I learned to love myself more, and how to be more confident in myself. I can't express how much I was able to overcome stage fright in this pageant. I honestly believe that my piano performance was one of the best performances I had ever given, and I just had so much confidence that night. I really want be able to carry that with me throughout the rest of the year and throughout the rest of my life.