Ryan Arzuaga: Why are you actively competing to be Miss Cardinal?

LC: I’m competing because the Cardinal Pageant opens doors for the contestants. Some of the contestants get scholarships. I know of one contestant and last year she was accepted into her cosmetology school and another one got a $7,000 scholarship. It opens doors basically. 

RA: How was your life growing up? Were there any struggles physically or emotionally? Or maybe even financially?

LC: There were a bunch of struggles financially, emotionally, especially with my house and personal life.

RA: So do you think that taught you any lessons that you value? Or that kind of molded you or just taught you some things about life that you value a lot?

LC: Yeah, I basically became more independent and don’t like to rely on people.

RA: What are some qualities that you feel that you lack or wish to work on to improve on?

LC: Public speaking. It’s more like an insecurity of going to mess up. I just have severe anxiety. 

RA: Tell me about a time when you just felt overwhelmed with struggles or scheduling. How did you overcome that?

LC: It was literally like last week. My mom pretty much was just calling me a disappointment and stuff and at work there was a bunch of stuff being put on me and I just cried. I cry or do things to take my mind off of stuff. I also draw and I learn dances.

RA: How was your experience at the school? Is there something that you would change about it? 

LC: My overall experience is actually good, especially my relationship with the teachers.

RA: What teachers do you feel you have a good relationship with?

LC: Ms. Bauer, the choir teacher, and Mrs. Polk.

RA: Is there something about these teachers that you really like that gets you along with them and their personality? Are they open? 

LC: They listen. 

RA: What are you going to do if or when you are crowned Miss Cardinal?

LC: Community service is a big thing I take part in and I do make a lot of donations to different organizations and I’m very active in Big Brothers and Big Sisters. 

RA: Big Brothers and Big Sisters? 

LC: Yeah it’s like tutoring basically with the little kids at Riley.

RA: So you’re gonna be helping a lot with the community?

LC: Yeah, more than I already do, yeah. 

RA: How do you help your peers when they are falling behind or going through a tough time?

LC: With the club, I basically tutor like the members. I always help them because I see myself as a role model for them because I listen to their struggles, give them advice basically.

RA: What kind of advice would you give them? 

LC: I help them with school obviously.

RA: What is some advice you would give to a teen younger than you? 

LC: Not everything has to be perfect. It’s okay to mess up and practice doesn’t make perfect either.

RA: A follow-up question to that is, what is something you’ll tell your younger self? 

LC: It’s obvious that you’re not like anybody’s favorite. So don’t try to be that person. Don’t try to be someone you’re not. 

RA: Why do you think out of all the contestants, that you should be Miss Cardinal? 

LC: I basically discipline myself to hold a high standard whenever I’m representing the school and I’m confident that I will be able to make an impact on the community and the school.

RA: Is there anything that I didn’t ask that you want me to ask or something like that?

LC: What do I want to get out of this pageant? Network. Being introduced to people who could basically give me advice on different opportunities and stuff.

RA: So this is mainly about the opportunities for you. 

LC: Yes and self-confidence.