630 Under 30: City Hall staffer Theresa Agonia wins Miss RI crown

630 (15)By Kim Kalunian, WPRO News

Theresa Agonia is more than just a pretty face.

The 23-year-old was recently crowned Miss Rhode Island USA 2016, but the Central Falls native’s resume is just as studded as her rhinestone-encrusted crown.

Born to Portuguese immigrants, Agonia says she knows first-hand what it’s like to overcome adversity to achieve success. At her young age, Agonia has already worked for Central Falls Mayor James Diossa and now serves as one of two deputy chiefs of staff for Providence Mayor Jorge Elorza.11091424_10153699538625955_5147104985345469207_n

They’re high-profile, high-power positions, but Agonia doesn’t get bogged down by the responsibility. Instead, she sees her titles as a way to further her ultimate goal of helping people.

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Agonia graduated with a degree in communications form Roger Williams University two years ago. While in school, her college friends would often ask what type of communications she wanted to pursue upon graduation. Her standard response then was, “I’ll do anything, but I don’t see myself in government.” Looking back, she laughs.

“Here I am two years later entrenched in politics,” she says. “But it’s really exciting.”

Outside of her time making sure the mayor’s office runs like a well-oiled machine, Agonia is busy making public appearances since being crowned Miss Rhode Island USA at the end of August. It was her fourth time competing in the pageant.

“Each year I inched my way closer and closer,” she says, explaining how she went from being in the top 15, to earning 5th runner up, 2nd runner up and then taking home the coveted title.

12030266_10153718758435955_3234825225461795178_oBut Agonia says winning is about more than the crown and the sash.

“Pageants are so much more than what people give them credit for,” says Agonia, who grew up watching the competitions on TV.  “I remember seeing how confident and beautiful these women were on stage and hearing their stories of how they were so civically involved.”

She says the Miss Rhode Island USA title will be another platform for her public service, and hopes to a role model, particularly for urban youths like herself.

Agonia recalls the Screen Actors Guild Award speech that Viola Davis (a fellow Central Falls native) gave in 2012. It was in that speech that Davis told students in Central Falls to “dream big and dream fierce.”

Those words resonated with Agonia, who says she learned about pursuing her goals and having ambition from her immigrant parents.

“Both of my parents came from Portugal [and] they are the epitome of what the American Dream is,” she says. “The story of my parents is something I think about every day.”

Agonia’s father lost his battle with cancer when she was 16, but she says the loss only made her and her family stronger.

Agonia said she’s not sure what her future holds, but she’s open-minded about it. Next summer, she’ll compete for the title of Miss USA, and if she wins that, the title of Miss Universe.

“It’s a journey,” says Agonia of life, “And it’s very difficult at times and it can be easy to give up but I think it’s about going after your dreams and to dream big and dream fierce. Nothing is out of your reach.”

Listen to this interview:

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