Margana Wood, 22-year-old graduate from the University of Texas at Austin, was crowned Miss Texas 2017 on Saturday July 1, 2017, at the 80th Anniversary of the Miss Texas Scholarship Competition held at the Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts in Richardson, Texas. Just 7 days later, I, Da’Naja Mosley - SLAY Magazine Youth Blogger, had the honor of sitting down with Margana Wood to conduct her 1st Exclusive Interview as Miss Texas 2017 at Elles Entertainment’s Inaugural EllesInspo, “Bringing Hollywood to Dallas” for a SLAYnominal cause, Anti- Bullying. Catch the Exclusive interview right here with SLAY Magazine. Here’s what she had to say:

When did you start competing in pageants?

“I’ve been in pageants since middle school. I started doing them when I was in 7th grade, but I actually didn’t win anything until I was in high school. So, it took me a really long time to win anything, but after that I went to the Miss Texas Outstanding Teen pageant where I competed for that title and I finished in the Top 12. I just wanted to come back bigger and better than ever, so I worked really hard and came back and won Miss Texas Outstanding Teen the next year. Then, I took a few years off after I gave up my crown to go to college. I went to the University of Texas at Austin where I studied Communications, and I came back to compete in the Miss Division. I competed for Miss Texas last year as Miss Houston. Then, I competed again this year as Miss Travis County and I won. Yes, so I have been in it for a really long time, but it took me a really long time to make it to this point.”

Why do you think anti-bullying awareness is so important?

“Well, personally it’s close to home just because I was personally affected by bullying and I have a passion to speak about it, but it’s really important to talk about it just because I feel like everyone experiences bullying in some way or another whether it happened to you personally or whether you have a best friend who has endured bullying. So, I feel like we’re all touched by bullying in some way or another. So, I think it’s important for all of us to learn how to combat it and to get out of those sticky situations when you do run into them. Just so we’re all educated and aware in case we do run into them.”

Miss Texas 2017, Margana Wood, will use her platform to spread her message, “You Belong”: Anti-Bullying, Pro-Equality.  As the name implies, her platform seeks to teach lessons of inclusion and respect, while also educating audiences of the different kinds of bullying. Miss Texas 2017 will now represent the State of Texas at the Miss America 2018 Competition, which will be held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on September 10th. The event will be broadcasted by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) so make sure you are tuned in to cheer and support Miss Texas 2017 as she competes for her next title of Miss America 2018!

Miss Texas 2017, I would like to personally wish you continued success on your “Road to the Crown!” It was such a pleasure to meet you, and an absolute honor to conduct your 1st exclusive interview as Miss Texas 2017. Thank you for SLAYING with me and SLAY Magazine! May God continue to bless you abundantly always!

If you want to check out some of the video & pictures on social media from this Exclusive Interview with Miss Texas 2017, Margana Wood, simply search some of the following hashtags: #EllesEntertainment #AntiBullying #MissTexas2017 #TheSlayMagazine #SlayMagazine #SlayOnTheScene #NAtoriouslyFierce™ on social media!

Over 3.2 million students are victims of bullying in the United States each year. For help for yourself, friend, or family member contact the National Anti- Bullying Hotline.

https://antibullyingsoftware.com/anti-bullying-hotlines-in-the-us-and-canada/