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Between attending college and working three jobs, 20-year-old Nicole Cirillo is going to compete in a beauty pageant.
“I don’t know [how I juggle everything]. I have my priorities in order, I guess,” Cirillo, of 12th and Shunk streets, said. “I put school first and work, and make time for my friends and family, but, definitely, I prioritize. I make time in my schedule.”
The resourceful junior studying education at Neumann University in Aston, has worked to put herself through higher education. While scouring possible sources for scholarships, she came across the Miss Philadelphia Scholarship Pageant.
“I’m into fashion. If I wouldn’t be going to school for teaching, then I would love to get involved with fashion, even though the pageant focuses on being a role model, the scholarship program is not just about being pretty,” Cirillo, who is also focusing on special education studies, said. “I went to modeling school. Aci Nae, the boutique on Passyunk, I was in two of their fashion shows.”
Besides the fashions, the 18 pageant contestants will have to answer questions, perform a talent and advocate for their platform. While many of the girls have had months to prepare for Saturday’s competition, Cirillo was notified in January.
“I originally didn’t make it because they felt I really needed to be more involved. This was before I got in touch with any of the organizations. And then I was in work one day and they said one girl dropped out and I was the first person on the list they called. They felt potential with me and they knew I really wanted it,” she said.
As a beauty pageant novice, Cirillo had to develop her platform and support organization network. It didn’t take long for her to verbalize the cause she wished to support.
“I knew I wanted it to be about the kids and the city and schools because I’m going to be a teacher and I just think definitely, especially in Philadelphia, it needs help. School is a big topic,” the 12th-and-Tasker-streets native said. “I definitely automatically knew I want to focus my platform issue about my future career.”
The budding educator reached out to area organizations Greater Philadelphia Cares and Communities in Schools of Philadelphia, the latter at which she worked closely with director Sandra Foster to develop a program this coming summer where she will read and speak to young women about how she manages her busy schedule and the importance of an education.
“[The organization] helps kids to stay in school, whether it’s from lack of funds or from a family pregnancy, they don’t want to drop out. Their mission is to keep students in school,” she said. “It has been proven, there are facts, from being involved with [Communities in Schools in Philadelphia], it’s kept many students in school.”
The Girard Academic Music Program, 2136 Ritner St., grad will be singing a Beyoncé version of “Ave Maria.” Having performed in her school days many times, Cirillo is still nervous to dust off the pipes. However, she has more than a few people who will be rooting for the first-time participant.
“I have a lot of support: My mom and my dad, my grandmom and my aunt. I’m so close to my family and my friends,” Cirillo, who moved away freshman year but returned and now commutes from South Philly to college, said. “They are all coming to support me. I’m glad they’re going to be there.”
After graduating high school, Cirillo left the area to begin her studies at Neumann, where she never doubted the field of concentration.
“Ever since I was little, I wanted to study education. I used to play school when I was little. I’m finally in college and student-teaching now and love it. I’m finally reaching my goal,” Cirillo said. “I love kids, I really do. I like that I get to inspire and motivate other lives … You can be creative. I love inspiring others.”
As part of her program, Cirillo gets to teach younger students under the supervision of a mentor. In her final year, a semester will be spent working full-time as a teacher.
“I lived at my college my freshman year, but I needed to work,” Cirillo, who now lives at home, said. “I commute, I have a car and I pay for myself. I’m a junior studying elementary education and being certified for special education.”
Special education is an area Cirillo feels will play a vital role in her post-graduation plans and something she feels will greatly benefit the city’s current system.
“I think Philadelphia needs good teachers. I’m not assuming all these teachers are bad, I would never say that, but the laws have changed and the current teachers certified now don’t know how to incorporate multiple intelligences into their lessons. They all teach one way,” Cirillo said. “All kids are different and they need to be approached in different ways. There is more than one way to teach a child.”
Cirillo currently holds three other jobs while she finishes her schooling, including hosting at Buckhead Saloon, waitressing at Johnnie’s, 12th and Wolf streets, and sales associate at Fashionably Ever After, 2403 S. Broad St., the 2011 Reader’s Choice Winner for “best kids clothing.” (“Readers Choice,” March 17.)
“I’ve been working since I was 14,” Cirillo said.
But her true passion is her school work and future vocation, which plays into her Miss Philadelphia platform of importance of arts in the classroom.
“As a teacher in Philadelphia, especially, I feel it is very important for schools to integrate the arts, music, theater, dance, arts and crafts,” Cirillo said. “A lot of schools lack that. Basically, that was my subject for the interview.”
Partnering with her two support organizations, which do some work with promoting arts in schools, Cirillo is ready to take on the competition Saturday.
“I’ll definitely see how I do since it’s my first pageant,” she said. “It’s not going to make me stop if I don’t get the title.” SPR
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