Miss Cardinal contestant Vivian Rodriguez has a passion to support anyone who is feeling down or discouraged. She loves helping her community out whenever she can and she does it with a smile on her face. She also has faced some challenges to be the hardworking person she is today. Throughout her high school journey she always had a strong mindset and she tells us what motivated her to be a part of this year’s pageant.

Robert Mungaray: What are some skills you have learned, and how did you find these skills out?

Vivian Rodriguez: Some of my skills would include being able to be more open about how I am feeling about something. In my opinion, I feel that it is important to hear everyone’s opinions. I’ve grown to be able to build more connections with people and branch out more. Like I’ve gotten to know people through the program.

RM: If you had to tell someone about yourself how would you describe yourself?

VR: If I had to describe myself, I think I would describe myself as hardworking. I would describe myself as optimistic as well because I really like setting a goal and reaching it. I’m a really positive person not just for myself but for others. I think that even in hard times that it’s not good to let that get to you and that even though you may be struggling, you have to look at the positives and not let negative defeat you.  You should always stay strong and positives will definitely keep you going and now that you render as much as your negatives.

RM: Why did you pick empathetic, dependable, and resilient to describe yourself? 

VR: I would say I’m really empathetic because I know how to understand others and put myself in their shoes. I like to hear struggles because everyone should be kind to everyone because at the end of the day, everyone goes through something different. You never know what someone’s going through. So being able to really understand or even just hear them out might be enough for them. You can offer more help if they were to need it. But even just being a listening ear would be enough for a lot of people. So I think it’s important at the end of the day we’re all kind to each other and really learn to understand one another.  

I would say I’m resilient because I’m a very hard working person. I like to stand for what’s right and I don’t like to back down. I know that once you start something it’s gonna finish it and that at the end of the day everything pays off and that your hard work is for a reason.  

I like being someone that gains other people’s trust and is someone that people can come to because I think being a trustworthy person really allows you to talk to them. I also just enjoy being there for other people. So being dependable and knowing that people can count on me is nice.

RM: You said you want to go to a four year college. What would you want to major in and why?   

VR: I have an interest and my plan after high school is to go to a four year college and major in environmental science and agriculture.

RM: Oh, that’s cool. Why environmental science and agriculture?

VR: I choose environmental science and agriculture because I have a fond interest and passion for nature. I care a lot about the environment and what can be done to protect it. I find myself spending a lot of time outdoors as one of my hobbies so I decided I would pursue my passions and dedicate my career to working for the environment to improve and protect it.

RM:What was one of your favorite moments while on this pageant journey and why?

VR: One of my favorite moments has definitely been the bonding. I think the practices have really brought us together. Not as much as the events. I mean the events are really nice, and I personally really enjoy them because they have to do community service, and that just happens to be one of my passions. But I think the practices really tie the contestants together because we’re all there knowing that we all have a similar goal or are trying to achieve the same thing. And although we’re competing for it, we’re also still remembering to have a good time on a personal level and really get to know one another and just become friends.

RM: What was one of your biggest challenges and why?

VR: One of my biggest challenges by far has been overcoming the fear of being able to present myself to others. I tend to get nervous and have a fear that I might not be perceived the way that I would like people to perceive me or the way that I truly am. But I think I’ve gotten better at it. I’ve been able to really introduce myself the way I would like to and have people understand me and why I a

RM: What did you think of while applying for Miss Cardinal and what was your biggest motivation?

VR: I was more nervous. I wasn’t going to, and I thought that it was, like, not the brightest idea. I was thinking more about, “Oh, well, I’m probably not gonna win,” or  “I’m really nervous, and I don’t like being social,” and it turns out I do like being social. 
And I was, “oh, well, I don’t like public speaking” or I get really anxious, but then I started on the positives, and I was like, “well, it’ll be a good experience.” I would learn how to be more social, and it would definitely improve the things that I was scared of. I would meet new people. So I really thought about what the positives would be, and how I would meet new people, and how I could improve what I was scared of.

RM: After this pageant what else do you have planned for senior year?

VR: After this pageant, I plan on just continuing on staying strong in my education. So passing all my classes, staying active in all my clubs and activities and my sports. Being an active club member for all those, and continuing to be a good community member. So just keep doing community service when I can, such as food distribution and stuff and just getting ready to apply and attend college after high school