An avid beach-goer and volleyball player with a heart for charity, 17-year-old Olivia Fonville was recently selected as Miss Ponte Vedra Beach Teen USA 2018. In December, she will go on to compete for the title of Miss Florida Teen USA, but until then, this pageant queen is determined to help other girls feel like royalty, too.
A senior at the Providence School of Jacksonville, Fonville understands the many pressures of being a teenage girl. Partnering with the Stay Gorgeous Girls organization, which is a nonprofit that aims to build girls’ confidence, Fonville founded Livie’s Closet to help those less fortunate than herself.
“I collect prom and cocktail dresses and then donate them to the Stay Gorgeous Girls organization to give out to the girls who come to their events and who can’t afford those things,” Fonville said. “They have events where speakers come and help build up girls’ confidence and teach them what true beauty is. The girls all get one free dress when they come to the event, and it’s so awesome to have them for a day and to teach them, love on them and give them a dress.”
Fonville hopes that other girls will join in her efforts by donating dresses to her cause. With permission, she hopes to set up collection boxes at local schools so that girls can bring in their dresses for her to pick up.
As part of the Miss Universe organization, the Miss Teen USA competition encourages young women to make a positive impact on their communities. As she moves forward in the selection process, Fonville intends to continue using her platform to affect change.
“When you have a title and you have all those connections, then you have an opportunity to actually get something done,” she said. “I hope to spread this platform, and trying to make a difference in the community as Miss Teen USA would be great.”
