World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to welcome amazing Queen Brie Marie Burke Miss West Pasco Teen USA 2020.
Full name: Brie Marie Burke Title/Year: Miss West Pasco Teen USA 2020, Miss Pasco County Teen USA 2019
Pageant System: Miss Florida / Miss Florida Teen USA affiliated with Miss USA / Miss Teen USA and the Miss Universe Organization
Age: 17 years old
Education Level: 11th Grade (Junior Year in High School)
Zodiac sign: Scorpio
Hobbies: Singing, Cooking, Attending Broadway Shows, Fashion, Traveling, Playing Soccer, Writing, Reading, Swimming, Bike Riding, and Rollerblading.
Years competed: 2 years (2019 & 2020)
Countries visited: France, Greece, Italy, Spain, The Bahamas & Turkey
Likes: Positive People, Loyalty, Honesty, Acting, Modeling, Directing, Producing, Singing, Writing, Trying All Types of Cuisines, Fashion, Mysteries, Reading, Hiking, Playing Soccer, Listening to Music, Watching Beautiful Sunsets and Listening to Falling Rain.
Dislikes: Bullies, Indecision, Cold Weather, Tardiness, Limitations, and Judgemental Attitudes.
Status: Single
World Class Beauty Queens: Please tell us about yourself. I am the daughter of an Executive Chef, hence the reason for my love of food and desire to try every possible cuisine as well as why my parents named me after a French cheese. My mother is a Paralegal and for the past four (4) years she has also been my Manager. I am Polish, German, & Irish from my father’s side of the family tree and Spaniard, Italian, French & Cuban from my mother’s side; just like our great nation, the United States of America, I am a cultural melting pot. For as long as I can remember, I have always loved to sing and perform for an audience. My first impromptu performance was at the ripe old age of three (3) when I broke out in a rendition of “My Father’s Angels” while at my school playground; from then on, I have not stopped singing. My love for acting began later on in life when I was five (5) years old and I starred in my school’s rendition of “Beauty & the Beast Jr.” as nothing less than a singing/dancing sugar cube; I was hooked! As years have come and gone, I have sung and acted in six (6) school musicals, four (4) community theatre musicals, I have acted in eleven (11) films, appeared in two (2) music videos, and most recently I wrote, directed and produced a public awareness video for my program D.A.Y.S. (Depression Awareness & Youth Suicide), of which I am the Director/Founder. World Class Beauty Queens: Please tell us about your education.
I have attended a Private Catholic School from the age of three (Early Childhood Education) until the age of sixteen (10th grade). For my Junior and Senior years (11th & 12th grade), I have decided to be Homeschooled due to my growing responsibilities & obligations with D.A.Y.S., which encompasses my pageant platform against bullying, youth depression & suicide awareness, my volunteer services and community involvement; as well as my busy career. Upon completion of high school, my plans for my future include attending college where I plan to major in NonProfit Management & Fine Arts, and continue the growth of my D.A.Y.S. Program by implementing it in states outside of Florida; as well as continuing to make a name for myself in film, music & modeling. World Class Beauty Queens: What does women empowerment mean to you?
To me, it’s the process of being confident in one’s ability to control their life by making independent decisions on their personal development and claiming their rights in society. World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your pageant history.
In 2019 I held the title of Miss Pasco County Teen USA and was a delegate in the Miss Florida Teen USA Pageant. Not only was it an honor and a privilege to be a part of this sisterhood but I was further honored by being awarded the Community Engagement Achievement Award for my community involvement and volunteer services.
I am currently Miss West Pasco Teen USA 2020, come July 2021 I will be back on stage with my pageant sisters in the pursuit of the Miss Florida Teen USA title. World Class Beauty Queens: What inspired you to do your first pageant?
What inspired me to start participating in pageants was the loss of my cousin David, who committed suicide at the age of 22. I saw the pageant as a way to bring awareness to the growing issues of youth/young adult suicide, depression, and bullying; my hope is for D.A.Y.S. to be a spark that lights the way out of the darkness for those suffering from depression, bullying, or anything else that might push them to consider taking their life. My platform is and will always be dedicated in memory of my cousin. World Class Beauty Queens: Why did you choose to compete for your current title?
I chose to compete again because my job is not done, there is still much work to be done in order to change the stigma of youth/young adult depression, youth/ young adult suicide, and bullying. I have been given a platform, a voice, a chance to make changes for the better, and I am in no way done yet. World Class Beauty Queens: To those unfamiliar with your pageant system please tell us what is it about?
The Miss Florida Teen USA Pageant selects the delegate that will represent the state of Florida in the Miss Teen USA Pageant. The competition encourages delegates to become empowered girlbosses who are not only articulate and disciplined but also young women who are confident in their abilities with skills & knowledge that will benefit them for a lifetim. World Class Beauty Queens: What are you being judged on during the competition?
During the competition, we will be judged on our personal interview with the judges, our athleisure outfit, our personal photoshoot, and our evening gown, The top five (5) delegates will then be judged with an on-stage question from which they will make a final selection for Winner, 1st Runner-Up, 2nd Runner-Up, 3rd Runner-Up & 4th Runner-Up. World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your experience during the competition.
It was a wonderful experience that I would not change for anything in the world, I meet some of the most amazing, genuine, selfless, driven and kind young ladies who I consider my sorority sisters in this amazing girlboss sisterhood. At registration, we are all a bunch of strangers with the same goal in mind but by mid-competition, we were rooting for each other and helping each other along. The pageant world is so much more than what people believe it to be. It’s more than beautiful faces. It is women that want to do great things for their community and country; we are all striving to make a difference, create a change in the world for the better.
I learned and grew as a person and an individual and for that, I am truly thankful to Girlbossig, Inc. and the Miss Florida USA Organization for making this pageant possible.
World Class Beauty Queens: Tell us about your platform or what cause do you volunteer for.
My platform is to bring awareness to youth suicide and depression, as well as bullying; nowadays these three (3) concerns are not being taken as seriously as they should be. I volunteer my time being involved in my community, changing the stigma and shining a light on the prevention of suicide, as well as helping those who suffer from bullying, depression, and the loss of a loved one due to suicide. D.A.Y.S. is a program for Depression Awareness & Youth Suicide. Please check out the video I created to educate the viewers about the topic. Thank you for your support. https://youtu.be/DAVwGWXYJas
World Class Beauty Queens: What appearances have you done with your title?
In my 2019 reign I was involved/participated in:
Depression and Suicide Walk/Event that I organized;
Spooky Tails, Pasco County Law Enforcement Retired K-9 Event;
Breast Cancer Awareness Modeling Show;
Meet & Greet at Store Openings and Events;
Meet & Greet at School Functions such as Open House & Orientations;
Visited High Schools promoting my high school as well as Miss Florida Teen USA Pageant;
Appearances at various County & State Fundraisers;
Various Bridal Modeling Shows; and
Various School & Community Meetings.
In my 2020 reign, although COVID-19 put a halt to many events, I was still able to be involved/participate either virtually or in-person (masks worn) in:
NAMI Pasco Meetings;
Was awarded the NAMI Pasco’s “Hero of Hope” Award 2020;
Meetings with Prospective Sponsors;
Outdoor Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies;
Various Bridal Modeling Shows;
Bridal Fashion Shoots while pridefully wearing my sash & crown;
Movie Premiers;
Directing & Producing my D.A.Y.S. Public Awareness Video; and
Much more to come in the near future!
World Class Beauty Queens: What are some of your achievements?
I am the Creator and Director of D.A.Y.S. (Depression Awareness and Youth Suicide) which is currently being umbrellaed by NAMI Pasco;
I wrote, directed, and produced a public awareness video for D.A.Y.S.;
In 2019 I organized, from start to finish, a depression and suicide awareness walk/event;
I’m changing the stigma associated with Youth Depression, Bullying and Youth Suicide!
World Class Beauty Queens: What makes you stand out from all those other beautiful girls?
We are all one of a kind, therefore we all stand out from each other. I imagine the very best version of myself and do my best to provide that person to the world, each and every day.
World Class Beauty Queens: What does it mean to you to be a Beauty Queen?
As with any title, this too comes with much responsibility and honor; a “Beauty Queen” must be selfless, driven, articulate, inspiring, compassionate but yet passionate and strong in conviction, as Muhammed Ali stated “Once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen”. I pridefully wear this crown and sash, and do so with dignity and purpose.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did competing in pageants help your life?
It has empowered me, made me more comfortable with who I am and given me the confidence and skills to succeed in whatever I choose to do in life.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did pageants help your self esteem and body image?
Being in pageants has had a positive impact on me and my personal growth as an empowered young adult. It has provided me with confidence, helped me to overcome fears and given me a positive self-image; I am comfortable in my own skin and have worked hard to make myself the person I am today.
World Class Beauty Queens: You are an inspiration to all the girls out there. How does it feel?
It’s a very big responsibility which I take very seriously. I hope to inspire others to join pageantry. We are all beautiful and capable of succeeding in whatever we do; if we just take that first big leap of faith, all else will fall into place.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is your on stage strategy to win the judges over?
My strategy is to be me; I am who I am and that is who the judges will see.
World Class Beauty Queens: How did you prepare for your competition?
There are so many aspects that go into preparing yourself for a pageant, from wardrobe selection, to coaching which includes walking and public speaking, to fitness and of course let's not forget metal preparation,
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for learning better pageant walk?
(I hope there isn’t a space limit to this question… I promise to make it short.)
Here are just a few tips:
Keep your head up while you are walking;
Make sure to cross your feet one in front of the other;
Make eye contact with the judges;
Remember to put your hands on your waist while posing;
Hold your poses;
Take your time, there’s no rush; and lastly
Don’t forget to smile & enjoy your time on stage in a beautiful gown!
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for choosing right pageant dress?
My tips:
Choose a color that you love;
Don’t get anything that will distract the judges from truly seeing you;
Choose simple patterns/designs; and lastly
Make sure it expresses your personality and makes you feel beyond amazing!
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your tips for winning interview?
My main tips for interviews are simple:
This is an interview for a job dress to impress;
Be informed, know and be interested in what is happening in the world you live in, not just your small piece of the globe but everywhere;
Have an opinion and be confident when answering;
Get a coach and practice, practice, practice; lastly, but most importantly
Be yourself! The judges want to see and meet the real you not an impersonator.
World Class Beauty Queens: What is one mistake that you've done during competing you wish you could redo and fix it?
In 2019, during the Evening Gown Event, I should have walked slower; if I could change anything at all from that event, that would be it.
World Class Beauty Queens: What other mistakes are made by girls during the contest?
I would say age inappropriate wardrobe selections and not being interview ready.
World Class Beauty Queens: What are your plans for 2021 as a Queen?
My plans are to continue striving to make a change in the stigma associated with Youth Depression, Bullying and Suicide Awareness as well as competing in the Miss Florida Teen USA pageant, this July 2021.
World Class Beauty Queens: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
That whatever your goals or missions in this life are, go out and conquer them with a fierce and “can do” attitude; be positive, be bold & be daring!
National Director: Crystle Stewart
Your Local Director: Robin Ross-Fleming
Pageant website: MissFloridaUSA.com
Name of the Photographer and other credits:
Crista Taylor-Sbani of Woodside’s Photography
Gowns by Kristy Ciccarone of Dream Gown Bridal
Thank you to my sponsors:
Sylvia Burke
Kristy Ciccarone of Dream Gown Bridal
Cindy Pelosi of Prodigy Event Planning
Kim Shustack-Washington of Park Lane Jewelry World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to say thank you for this wonderful interview. Interview by Derek Tokarzewski Owner/Editor in Chief of World Class Beauty Queens Magazine
Brie Marie Burke Miss West Pasco Teen USA 2020, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine, Crista Taylor-Sbani of Woodside’s Photography, Gowns by Kristy Ciccarone of Dream Gown Bridal,
Interview by Derek Tokarzewski Owner/Editor in Chief Mr United Nations 2018 Platform: Women Empowerment Ambassador to International Foundation for Orphans iffocares.org
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