Jara Courson crowned Miss Florida Teen USA 2015

2015 MISS ILLINOIS TEEN USA CROWNING

On September 1, 2014, at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, Illinois, Megan Riesner was crowned MISS ILLINOIS TEEN USA 2015. The pageant is produced and conducted by Vanbros and Associates Inc. by license with Miss Universe LP, LLLP.

Meet the Anti-Pageant Queen Who Almost Won Miss Teen USA

by Amber Katz

Pageant princesses and lengthy Rapunzel locks go together like Taylor Swift and breakup lyrics: They have a long, storied history. But one of this year's Miss Teen USA contestants stood out in a sea of sausage spirals. You have to admit that the go-to pageant aesthetic, while gorgeous, feels a bit homogenous and, frankly, boasts all the edge of a strawberry Skittle. So this year, we were taken with the stunning Miss Teen Pennsylvania/Miss Teen USA 2nd Runner Up, Sydney Robertson. With her pert platinum pixie and penchant for snakes, this model is a veritable disruption of the stereotypical beauty queen. She was even elected Miss Congeniality, a sizeable accomplishment considering 50 gals with whom you're competing for the crown are voting on the matter. So we just had to know: What's the story behind that pageant pixie?

For starters, Sydney always had a crop, never longer than her shoulders. Every summer, she'd cut it to about ear-length. "My dad is a hairdresser, so he cuts it. I want something easy, but that still looks good. We chopped it super-short a few years ago," she says. Shortly thereafter, Sydney saw a Facebook ad and signed up for her first pageant. "I did it as a joke at first; I'd just started my Facebook account a month before, but I got a phone interview a day later!" Her application to the 2012 Miss Teen Pennsylvania pageant was accepted only six weeks out from the competition and she wound up winning 2nd runner up the first time she competed—all without any professional coaching or training. "I got into modeling because of that pageant; one of the judges was an agent," she reveals.

Surprisingly, Sydney wasn't given any pressure to change her look to reflect the typical Teen Queen. In fact, she says that people have asked if she cut her hair purposefully for the competition. "One of the nicest things about the pageants I've done is that no one has ever told me I needed to change something in order to win," she says. "Granted, I've had some coaching on my walk and stopping and posing and all of that, but it's been nice because I've been able to stay true to who I am and just grow as a person."

Nonetheless, long hair has its advantages. Pixie cuts, believe it or not, require more in-salon maintenance—most professionals recommend getting a cut every four weeks. Luckily, Sydney has an in-house stylist in her dad. His best tip? "My hair is naturally straight and fine, but I have a lot of it. If I want it to be volumized, he taught me to blowdry it and spray dry shampoo for extra lift. It keeps my hair from falling down throughout the day." Still, Sydney maintains that Rapunzel-status strands wouldn't have changed her chances of winning one iota. "Long or short, I was confident in myself. I've been lucky because I've rarely gotten rude or hurtful comments. But when they happen, I just brush them off," she says. "As long as you're confident in yourself, that's what they see on stage."

Miss Teen USA from Chapin: ‘I still can’t believe it actually happened’

BY ANNE-KATHRYN FLANAGAN

As the summer begins to wind down, most rising high school seniors are busy preparing for their first day back to school. However, things are little different for rising Chapin High School senior K. Lee Graham, who was crowned Miss Teen USA last Saturday night. “I still can’t believe it actually happened,” Graham said. “Being Miss Teen USA is so important to me.” Graham, 17, is in New York right now just as her senior year and reign as Miss Teen USA kicks into high gear. (A South Carolina homecoming is being planned for later in the month.) “Tonight, I’m going to a Yankees game, and I’ll get to meet my new boss Mr. (Donald) Trump,” Graham said. “Then I’ll head back to South Carolina and start commuting to the places I’m needed.” Trump owns the Miss USA brand, which includes the Miss Universe pageant. As Graham handles her duties as Miss Teen USA, she still has to make time for academics and for what Graham described as a very unique senior year. Graham has taken advanced classes and honors classes along the way, which has paved the way for her to take a lighter course load this semester.

“I’ll be able to take my remaining courses while living in South Carolina and graduate early,” Graham said. Once her high school diploma is in hand, Graham will head to the New York Film Academy, where she’ll enroll in the acting program for a semester. Graham said she’ll live in the dorms while she’s at the Film Academy, but will be living with current Miss USA Nia Sanchez and Miss Universe Gabriela Isler when she’s not in school. All the while, she’ll be applying to colleges for the following fall. Graham will continue her blog Live Beautifully, which is designed to help girls find their inner worth and focus on their character instead of their appearance. “I was just thinking about what I’ll post on the blog this weekend,” Graham said. “It will definitely continue, and will be a way for people to follow me as I’m traveling.”

While she travels as Miss Teen USA, Graham also hopes to promote education. Graham, who is No. 1 in her class at Chapin High School, has a passion for learning, and wants people to know pursuing an education is an admirable thing. “I would sometimes act like I didn’t know the answer to a question when I was in middle school,” Graham said. “I regret that now, and I want other young ladies never to be ashamed of knowing the right answer.” With so much ahead of her, Graham will never forget all of the supportive family and friends who have supported her on this journey. She also said South Carolina will always be home.
One person in particular who’s been there from the beginning is Graham’s mom, Jennifer Newin, who held the Miss Teen South Carolina USA title in 1985

“My mom never forced me to compete, I begged her to let me,” Graham said. “She inspires me, and has shown me how to stay confident and be prepared.” She has also helped Graham with her wardrobe by making most of her evening gowns. “Miss Teen USA was actually the first pageant I didn’t wear one of my mom’s gowns,” Graham said. “My mom’s worked really hard, and I wanted her to relax and take a break from it this time,” Graham said. Graham enlisted the help of Gregory Ellenburg of South Carolina to create her Miss Teen USA gown. RPM Productions of Aiken also worked with Graham. Ellenburg is a sponsor of the Miss SC Teen USA pageant, and Graham said he has a huge reputation for paying attention to the fit of the gown.

“I worked with him closely to get the details, and he made something that represented me,” Graham said. As for what she’ll do once her reign as Miss Teen USA is over, Graham said she is looking forward to finishing college and pursuing an acting career. She doesn’t know what the future holds, but knows the pageant world will always hold a place in her heart.

Read more here: http://www.thestate.com/2014/08/06/3604851/miss-teen-usa-form-chapin-i-still.html?sp=/99/117/#storylink=cpy

Miss Teen USA 2014 Crowning Moment

Miss South Carolina K. Lee Graham Crowned Miss Teen USA 2014!

by MIKE VULPO

There is a new Miss Teen USA in town!

Miss South Carolina K. Lee Graham wowed the judges with her beauty, charisma and intelligence at Saturday night's annual beauty pageant. "I can't even talk right now. This is literally a dream come true," Graham said seconds after earning the coveted sash. "Thank you for supporting me. We did it!" For almost two hours, Graham and her fellow contestants were put through a tricky Q&A session, the famous bikini catwalk and a competition that can only be described as cutthroat.

At the beginning of the pageant, held at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas, only 15 of the 51 contestants were asked to move forward into the semi-finals.

Those lucky enough to move forward competed in the bikini portion where another 10(!) were later cut!
Miss California, South Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Mississippi were the final five ladies who moved on to the always entertaining Q&A portion. Although nobody stumbled and made us cringe, some ladies definitely had some memorable answers.

When asked where she would want to go if she was ever invisible, Miss California promptly answered the White House. Her reason? She is a huge Scandal fan, obviously. Miss Pennsylvania was strictly against parents serving high school kids alcohol at home after prom. "You should follow the law," she declared. "I don't think that's okay." Finally, Miss New Jersey thought beauty pageants were so wonderful that every girl should be a part of one. "I think every woman should do one pageant because it's an amazing experience," she told the audience.

In the end, the judges couldn't resist the charm of Miss South Carolina. But don't feel bad, Miss Mississippi. As the runner-up, you will be next in line take over if for any reason Graham is unable to fulfill the responsibilities that come with the title. As we know from previous pageants, anything is possible.

Miss Teen USA Swimsuit Photos, Part 4

Miss Teen USA Swimsuit Photos, Part 3

More Miss Teen USA Swimsuit Photos!

Miss Teen USA 2014 Contestants Sizzle in Their Bikinis

by Chima Simone
Another big night in beauty pageants is coming!

Crowns and gowns will join sashes and false eyelashes on the stage of the Miss Teen USA competition this Saturday when the reigning teen queen Cassidy Wolf is unseated by one of these hot hopefuls. Vying for the coveted title from the tropical Atlantis Paradise Island Resort in the Bahamas, the bathing beauties will also compete in their best evening dresses and answer interview questions (or not) from a panel of judges.


In anticipation of the main event streaming live Saturday, Aug. 2 on missteenusa.com, we're kicking off the swimsuit portion of the show with a sneak peek of the contenders from Alabama to Wyoming flaunting their perfect bikini bods.