New England Pageant News got a chance to chat with Miss Rhode Island Allie Coppa, as she was preparing for the first night of preliminaries. She said she is feeling rather surreal as she competes for the coveted title, and was surprised at how easy her interview with the judges seemed.

How has your stay in Atlantic City been so far?
Super exciting. It still doesn’t feel real to me. I had my interview yesterday, and I walked out saying, “Well, when’s my real interview?” I had so much fun and the judges were so amazing. I got to talk about my platform a lot. Interview’s one of my favorite parts.

Did you get any sense of what the judges were looking for?
I think they were looking a lot into who you are as a person. For Miss America 2.0, they are looking for the well-rounded girl. They’re looking for a scholar and a talented young woman.

Any thoughts on the sisterhood?
I love everyone. How am I going to be able to go back to Rhode Island and have a friend in every state across the country, and not be able to have a reunion every day? One of my new BFFs is New Mexico. I’ve met some of the girls from my side of the country, and we can stay in contact, but you want to have that connection with someone from the other side of the country. I’m so excited to be a part of this class.

What’s different about Miss America 2.0?
I think they want the same thing they have in the past, they’re just trying to make it more obvious. They’re making it more clear that Miss America has a voice, is a strong woman, is a scholar and is talented, and doesn’t need to wear a swimsuit in order to earn a scholarship. I don’t think that’s changed at all. I just think we’re trying to push that message more, so that more people are interested in being involved.

What is your message to all of your supporters in Rhode Island?
Thank you so much. I would never have been here without all of them. My mom and my dad, especially, have been so supportive throughout my life — through college, through the Outstanding Teen program, and now. I am just so grateful for the opportunity.