Seneca High School’s Julianna Rankel will go on an international stage next year as she was recently selected as International Junior Miss New Jersey Teen 2017.
Rankel competed in a two-day regional International Junior Miss pageant last month, bringing girls from New York, New England and New Jersey to participate to become their state’s Queens. Candidates for Princess, Pre-Teen, Teen and Miss were selected for each state. Rankel won the Miss Teen New Jersey title division.
“I felt overwhelmed with so much pride. Just to know all of my hard work and everything done up until this point had finally paid off,” Rankel said.
Rankel has been participating in pageants since she was 13. She did really well at her first competition, winning Miss Congeniality and Junior Model, along with a scholarship. It was the spark that started her love for pageants.
“It let me know I was heading in the right direction,” Rankel said.
Rankel has participated in many pageants and individual competitions since then, gaining much success in the optional competitions and other events. However, she had never won such a big title before. Rankel said she does it to be a role model for younger girls and gets a lot of joy out of that.
“I feel alive. You’re putting your greatest attributes out there and you set an example for younger girls … You feel like you’re doing something good,” Rankel said.
The Seneca senior worked hard watching lots of videos, taking voice lessons, doing modeling over the summers and going to the gym for preparation.
“(I’m always) trying to stay as physically, emotionally and mentally fit as possible,” Rankel said.
Before the International Junior Miss pageant, Rankel said she was nervous, but in a good way. She knew she was there for a reason and told herself she would do well, just to keep pushing forward and have a good time.
For the competitions, the girls were judged on the modeling of a “fun fashion” outfit of their choice as well as a personal interview before a round robin panel of judges and, of course, an evening gown competition. Rankel said her favorite part was the interviews. She sat before one of the hardest judges, who didn’t know much about New Jersey, asking the question, “Why is New Jersey called the Garden State?” Rankel said she felt she had the advantage, living in an area known for many state crops.
“I told her about the Tabernacle and Southampton area, where I feel is the most beautiful area of New Jersey, and she said she had no idea,” Rankel said. “It’s a very down to earth and honest area, and that is what I love about it.”
Rankel said she was anxious when they were announcing the pageant winners, and when she heard her name, she was overwhelmed with pride and joy.
She had no reason to be anxious, as Rankel won Best Gown, Best Interview, Best Personality and the Spokes-Model Award for individual competitions, too. Rankel’s gown was a Jovani gown she received this summer after modeling for the company in Atlanta in the “Jovani It Girl” competition, coming in as a semi-finalist.
Rankel will be responsible for many public appearances throughout the year and will work to promote her platform of anti-bullying. She is the chairperson for No Place for Hate at Seneca.
“It’s all about getting rid of biases and stereotypes, and promoting diversity. I’ve seen the damaging effects (bullying) has had on kids. It’s something I want to work with and work on so one day it can be stopped,” Rankel said, also expressing she would like to study clinical psychology and work with kids.
The next step for Rankel is Nationals and Internationals at Nashville, Tenn., in the summer.
