Lycoming County is turning out to be pageant central. From Sydney Robertson taking Miss PA USA in 2021 to Normandy Broaddus competing in Miss Teen PA USA in 2022. Not to be outdone, 19-year-old Isabella Cole also competed in Miss PA USA this year. Her very first contest! Both Miss Teen PA and Miss PA pageants were held in Johnstown on April 23-24 at the Richland Performing Arts Center. I was able to connect with Isabella, a nursing student at Bloomsburg, for a post pageant interview.

Dave: Your mom said — I’m paraphrasing — that you had an inspirational backstory. Do you mind sharing?

Isabella: When I was two years old, I was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis. This is a flesh-eating disease in which bacteria enters the body through cuts and wounds. I was not expected to survive, and if I did, doctors were sure I would lose my leg. However, I did survive, and my leg was not amputated. I do have skin grafts on my leg and a little on my back, as well as muscles missing, and I developed scoliosis from this. Doing this pageant and walking in a swimsuit was a huge step for me. I was extremely self-conscious and never thought that I would develop the confidence it took to walk on that stage. However, once I did it, I was so proud of myself for putting myself out there in a way I never had before.

Dave: What is your pageant background?

Isabella: This was my first pageant ever. I was extremely nervous going into it, but I soon realized there were many other women there in the same boat as me.

Dave: What was your motivation for competing?

Isabella: I wanted to inspire other women who have insecurities similar to mine. I wanted to be an example and show that you don’t have to have a perfect body in order to be beautiful and be confident.

Dave: What was it like going to Miss PA USA? Were you nervous, excited, both?

Isabella: I was extremely nervous since it was my first pageant; however, the excitement trumped the nervousness. The experience boosted my confidence as a whole, and I can’t wait to compete again next year!

Dave: Was it a high-energy event?

Isabella: It was overall a very fun vibe. We had to hurry to do our outfit changes and make sure that we were lined up correctly, but it was a fun, exciting kind of chaos.

Dave: What were the other contestants like?

Isabella: I am so blessed to have met the incredible women that competed with me. Every single one of them was amazing and unique in their own ways. I walked out of there with so many new connections that I’ll never lose.

Dave: I’m sure you had a lot of support. Who helped you get ready while you were there?

Isabella: I had a woman help me with my hair and makeup, as well as people backstage to help us with our evening gowns.

Dave: What was it like being in front of such a large audience both in-person and on tv?

Isabella: It was definitely very nerve-wracking; however, because I did performances for years with Williamsport’s Uptown Music Collective, I was prepared to put myself out there in front of all of those people.

Dave: You’re in nursing school at Bloom. What are your plans after college?

Isabella: I plan to become a nurse and to help others the way I was helped all those years ago. I may even choose to work in pediatrics in the future.