Miss Stanton Q&A
TABREYA WRIGHT | APRIL 12, 2022 | FEATURES
On March 26, 2022, 14 girls from the junior class at Stanton College Preparatory School graced the stage during the annual Miss Stanton pageant. After a showcase of beauty and talent, followed by deliberation from judges, Julianna Carangue won the crown and the title of Miss Stanton 2022-2023. That following Monday, she sat down in Stanton’s courtyard to speak about her journey through the competition and her intentions for the future.
TABREYA WRIGHT: Why did you decide to enter the competition?
JULIANNA CARANGUE: “I joined this pageant to have fun, [and] overtime, I started falling in love with the spirit we all have together, and it became a really fun night.”
TW: What has the journey of preparing for the contest been like?
JC: “So stressful. Towards the actual night, things started to get more stressful because things needed to be perfect.”
TW: Why did you choose to sing ‘Don’t Rain on My Parade’?
JC: “I’ve never seen the Broadway show, [but] the song is very powerful, and [the lyrics] ’I gotta fly once, I gotta try once’ literally mean don’t give up, and that [is] a good message.”
TW: Has being a singer has helped you with your confidence?
JC: “Oh, definitely. I’ve been playing and singing ever since the age of 4, so I've [already] been performing, and [that] made me less nervous. Going on stage is the nervous part, but once the music starts, all my stress goes away.”
TW: Are there certain techniques you use to prepare yourself before going on stage?
JC: “A lot of water and a lot of burping.”
TW: What cause did you choose to advocate for, and why?
JC: “[I chose] mental illness, after enrolling here and witnessing firsthand how many students are struggling. [Also,] in freshman year, someone who took care of me when I was young committed suicide.”
TW: How exactly would you use your platform to help mental health and awareness?
JC: “I want to advocate for better services and bring more attention to the effects of mental illness by promoting peer-to-peer counseling sessions across multiple schools.”
TW: What has this experience taught you?
JC: “It has taught me to become independent and learn more about myself. It taught me to rely on myself, and not others, for my happiness. It’s important to become independent, so that others can depend on you.”
TW: What advice would you give to any girls who may want to try out next year?
JC: “Be willing to never give up. The pageant isn’t about competition, it’s really about the experiences. Being in that competitive mindset [will] turn into a downside, so just have fun.”
Carangue’s experience demonstrates how this pageant has positively influenced all those involved. Participation has granted her a unique experience, valuable lessons, and a world of opportunity. In the near future, these opportunities will allow her to impact her community through work and advocacy. Carangue’s conversation, words of advice, and aspirations have opened up a new perspective for the competition.
Congratulations to all participants, the Miss Stanton court, and the newly crowned Miss Stanton, Julianna Carangue.