We were lucky to catch up with Olivia Acevedo recently and have shared our conversation below.

Olivia, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

As a writer, it is always important to find meaning in the projects that we undertake. The most meaningful project I have worked on so far has been my children’s book, Superthritis Girl. It allowed me to share my personal struggles with Juvenile Arthritis while inspiring children to see their own strength in the face of diversity. The process of creating Superthritis Girl was both challenging and rewarding. Through research and collaboration with an illustrator, I was able to create a story that had a positive impact on others. I hope that Superthritis Girl will continue to bring hope and empowerment to those who read it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Olivia Acevedo, Miss Irvine 2023 in the Miss America Organization. I will be representing the city of Irvine at the Miss California competition in June 2023.

Aside from my work as Miss Irvine, I am also a children’s book author. I wrote Superthritis Girl, inspired by my personal experience with Juvenile Arthritis. My book aims to create something tangible that will empower children going through similar struggles and raise awareness about the condition.

In my free time, I enjoy playing the harp and exploring new hobbies. I got into writing to share my story and help others. My unique perspective sets me apart from other writers. I write from a place of authenticity and empathy.

I am all about “Confidence. Community. Compassion.” My brand is centered around empowering others and promoting health and wellness. As Miss Irvine 2023, I am focused on empowering individuals to build their confidence, fostering a sense of community and togetherness, and promoting compassion towards oneself and others. I believe that embodying these values can create a positive impact and inspire others to do the same.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

It took six months for doctors to properly diagnose me with Juvenile Arthritis. During those six months, my wrist became so swollen that I lost complete mobility. I had to give up playing the flute and wasn’t able to join sports. I underwent two years of physical therapy to regain basic mobility in my wrist. It was a difficult time for me as I struggled to accept that I had a chronic illness that would impact my life forever.

Despite the challenges, I refused to let this setback define me. Years later, I found a way to manage my arthritis symptoms and took on playing the harp. The harp is an instrument that requires a lot of finger and hand movements, which may seem like an unlikely choice for someone who has struggled with arthritis. However, I did not let my condition hold me back from pursuing my passion for music. Playing the harp has been a source of joy and empowerment for me. It has taught me that resilience and determination can overcome even the toughest obstacles.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

As a child, I was often teased and bullied by my classmates. They would call me names and make fun of my appearance. I remember feeling hurt and embarrassed. Whenever I brought this up to a teacher, I would always be told, “words can’t hurt you.” I was advised to ignore them, but as much as I tried to ignore them, their hurtful words still cut deep. As I got older, I thought that if I ignored bullies and their words, they would eventually stop. But the bullying didn’t stop, and neither did the hurt.

It wasn’t until I started seeing a therapist that I realized I had to unlearn this belief. Through therapy, I learned how to acknowledge the hurt caused by someone’s words and advocate for myself. It’s about communicating needs and boundaries assertively but respectfully. Now, I have the power to speak up for myself and protect my emotional well-being. I want to encourage others to do the same. Together, we can create a world free from bullying and empower individuals to be their advocates.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: oliviaacevedo.com
• Instagram: @MissIrvineCA
• Facebook: Facebook.com/MissIrvine2023
• Other: TikTok: @MissIrvineCa

Image Credits
Doug Hikawa