“Sometimes as a woman in our society, it’s hard to uplift others because it feels like we’re in constant competition to be better, or prettier, or more this or more that, when we should honestly come together and appreciate others for their differences,” BreeOnna Springer said.

Springer, 22, is working to empower women her age, as well as young girls, through her role as chapter director of Strong Women Strong Girls (SWSG) on campus. The senior serves as a great role model and justifiably fits into that category of strong women.

Springer is a double major in dance and SAEM and has a minor in musical theater. With an 18 credit work load and involvement in community service, it’s a wonder that she can manage everything on her plate.

“I live off of my planner for sure,” Springer said. “I do a lot of time management.”

Springer discovered SWSG when she saw a table for it at a club fair freshman year. She loved what the organization was about and decided to start as a mentor.

“SWSG is a mentoring organization for third to fifth grade girls in underprivileged communities, communities that don’t see a lot of positivity when it comes to women, so we teach them about empowered women and women who have been successful,” Springer said.

Springer assumed the position of chapter director last fall. She said that SWSG has adapted a new curriculum that involves the girls learning about others their age that are doing empowering things. They also teach them about empowered women to give them hope for a brighter future.

Springer says the best part of the organization is seeing how much of a difference she’s making in these young girls’ lives.

“Whether it’s giving them hope to come to college […] we give them an idea of what it’s like to go to college,” Springer said. “One of the best moments is doing the field trip [tour on campus] and seeing their eyes light up and understand what college really is.”

Another passion of Springer’s is the Miss America organization, which she has been involved with for nine years.  She started in the outstanding teen program and competed for three years for the title.  She ended up finishing in the top five.

Springer competed for Miss Pennsylvania last year and was awarded non-finalist talent. She is returning to compete in June. One part of the process is the personal interview where a contestant is given a 10-minute interview with the judges where they can ask the women anything.

The Miss Pennsylvania competition will feature three portions: onstage question, outfit of choice and talent. The swimsuit and evening gown portions are no more.

“They removed those because they want to focus more on our intelligence and our community service as opposed to outside people getting the wrong perception of what we actually do,” Springer said.