Huntington High School Student Readies For ‘Miss Teen’ State Pageant

Jasmine Taylor, of Huntington Station, is currently preparing to compete for New York State in the 2017 Miss Teen Competition on Nov. 5. Photo by Angelique Springfield

By Janee Law
jlaw@longislandergroup.com

Jasmine Taylor, of Huntington Station, said she was nervous as she awaited a call that would determine whether or not she had been selected as a New York State finalist for the 2017 Miss Teen Competition.

“At first I thought they were going to tell me that I didn’t make it,” Taylor, 16, said.

That wasn’t the case.

“I was so happy and excited, and then after I got off the phone I was screaming and jumping up and down,” the Huntington High School junior said.

Taylor will travel to Union City, New Jersey, at the Park Performing Arts Center on Nov. 5, when she will compete in the Miss Teen Division of the pageant. She will be interviewed and compete in modeling routines consisting of casual and formal wear.

If Taylor conquers the Miss Teen title, she will represent the state and move onto the national competition, which will take place in Orlando, Florida. The date and location for nationals are still being finalized, Taylor said.

This is the first time Taylor will be competing in pageantry. She said her passion for acting and modeling prompted her to participate in the Miss Teen competition, adding that she wanted to pursue her dream even further.

“With modeling, I like showing that I’m confidant and I have a lot of fun with it, and with acting, I like showing different emotions, where I can act a different way but feel another,” Taylor said, adding that she has participated in plays and talent shows at her school.

Taylor also sings, dances and participates in school clubs like Young Leaders Club; Stage Crew, where she is a vice president; and winter track. She also participates in the Suffolk County Second Precinct Police Explorers, which she said is her favorite extracurricular activity.

“It’s fun and interesting to learn about how police work,” she said.

Ahead of the competition, Taylor said she is preparing for casual wear and formal wear and how to best style her hair. In addition, she has been practicing her stage walk and wave in ways that will make her unique from other competitors.

She said, “I want to do my best and place in one of the top 10 and make it to Florida.”