Lexi Spadaro

I attribute my success to my parents. They always have raised me to be very motivated, driven, and passionate. I participated in a lot of sports growing up. My longest sport that I participated in was figure skating, totaling about 20 years. My parents always instilled in me that if I put forth my best effort, I could accomplish anything I set my mind to. I'm never going to be perfect, but if I just continue trying and putting my heart into something that I'm really passionate about, that's success. I have brought these ideas through my entire career, whether that be within pageantry or education. I’ve always been told to never give up because success will always come. That is what I know stays true.

I believe that when you have the heart to give back, when you have the heart to make a difference, or make an impact on someone, I think it's really important to follow that feeling. If you're able to touch one person's life, that speaks volumes, and that has a ripple effect. When you touch one person's life, they're going to want to touch another person's life. With pageantry, we have a crown, and we have a sash that are absolutely beautiful, but that's not what it's about. It's about the why. What are you doing with all of the resources that you have, and how are you making a difference in our world? I always tell my students, drawing a picture and giving it to somebody that you don't know, or bringing it to a shelter will touch one person, and now they're going to want to then reciprocate that. Being a positive role model for all ages is intensely important because despite your age, you can make a positive impact in someone’s life and potentially change the trajectory. I really love the sisterhood that the International Pageants has because we show that we, as a team, can collectively make a difference that's going to expand globally.

The biggest challenge is technology. It's hard, because we want students to be able to use technology, but I do feel as though putting a child in front of a screen for any length of time is actually hindering them. We live in a world now where technology is so pushed on children, and it's really taking an effect on their social skills. They're not able to hold those conversations and look somebody in the eye, and they're not able to show their emotions in appropriate ways.

On the opportunities side, there are so many opportunities for students. I do believe that with education, it's constantly ongoing, it's constantly changing, and it's always getting better. We're learning from mistakes we've made in the past, and we're always moving forward. I do believe that when students are given hands-on experiences, real-life experiences, they're able to apply their learning, and they're able to be more successful because they are seeing how what they're learning in school correlates with real life. When I'm able to make that connection as to why they're going to use it in this part of they’re life, or show them how they can apply it, they get a deeper meaning and appreciation for what they're learning.

There are a lot of things that I value, but I think that some of the most important things is giving back to whoever you possibly can, whether that's locally, a nationally, or globally, but being able to give back in any capacity is extremely important. I do also believe that being genuine to everybody you meet, and being your authentic self is also important. Being our authentic self can speak volumes, and it makes a really positive and lasting impact on everybody that you come in contact with. I truly believe that those are the most important things, because if you are not authentic, then you are not going to be successful in life. You're never going to be able to show your true colors, and I don't think that you're able to work to your full potential when you are not authentically you.