Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
placeholder article
placeholder article

Julianna White: A Pageant Queen Among Us

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar
Sarah Scholz Student Contributor, The College of New Jersey
Her Campus Placeholder Avatar
Jessica Corry Student Contributor, The College of New Jersey
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at TCNJ chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

When Julianna White, senior at TCNJ, isn’t busy living the life of a beauty queen, she can be spotted grabbing a bite to eat in Eickhoff or sipping coffee and doing crossword puzzles in the Library Cafe. The Communications major will be Las Vegas bound later this year, as she competes for the title of Miss USA, which will be shown on NBC! We sat down with “Campus Celebrity” Julianna to see what her experience as the titleholder has been like so far.

 
HC: Why did you want to be Miss New Jersey USA 2011?
Julianna White: About six years ago, I entered my first pageant to gain more confidence and to blaze my own trail. I ended up winning the title of Miss NJ Teen USA and was in for a year of new and exciting experiences in the “pageant world.”  Looking back on that [experience] is what put the thought in my mind to compete in the Miss NJ USA pageant this year.  The charities I get to work with, the people I get to meet, the chance to go to the Miss USA pageant are some of the factors that make this title such a dream come true for me. Pageants are not simply superficial, they are life-changing events where you meet your best friends and an incredible number of doors are opened.
 
HC: What has been the greatest moment as the titleholder this far?
JW: I was crowned in October and since then I’ve been extremely busy doing fun appearances all over the state and starting to get ready for Miss USA. The greatest moment would have to be on the night of my crowning. I will never forget when I passed by a mirror for the first time.  Seeing that crown on my head immediately brought tears to my eyes because it reminded me that this year is my year to do amazing things, change lives, and have the chance to wear the crown of Miss USA.
 
HC: Who are your role models?
JW: My mother is an amazing seven-year breast cancer survivor and I look up to her in so many ways.  When she was going through treatments, she only worried about my sister and I being okay and never complained about a thing.  If I could even have a small amount of the strength she has, I’d be happy.  Today she is healthy and always encourages me to follow my dreams. I am incredibly lucky and thankful.  Other than my mother, I would definitely say Audrey Hepburn is my role model. She was actually the answer to my on-stage question at Miss NJ USA!  She has such class, grace, and talent and those are things I want to live my life with also.
 

HC: What does your title mean to you?
JW:Everything.  I get to make a difference with philanthropic organizations that are connected with Breast Cancer Awareness for my mom, my family comes together to celebrate and help me out, I have the chance to do what I love most – public speaking and being on stage. I also am the healthiest I have ever been to get ready for nationals, and overall I just get to be the best “me” possible.  The things I love most in life come together with this title and it really is amazing what opportunities can come out of this for my future.
 
HC: There are a lot of stereotypes about “Pageant Girls” and “Beauty Queens.” What are your thoughts?
JW:I think every activity has a stereotype and pageants are no different.  Of course you will run into some girls with competitive attitudes that can be a little much, but I have met way more kind, amazing friends through my experiences.  I compete because I love being on stage, showing my intelligence, and most importantly because it truly is fun for me.  If I were to pay attention to the stereotypes, I don’t think I would have the same experiences. I keep an open mind and don’t judge anyone involved.  That’s the way it should be!
 
HC: How do you juggle everything you do?
JW:I’m honestly not sure.  Between being a student, Miss NJ USA, and an in-house model at QVC, I really do live a hectic life.  I would have it no other way though – I thrive off of being busy and accomplishing things.  I’ve always been a high-achiever and never want to stop reaching for the highest goals.
 
For more information about Julianna and the Miss New Jersey USA pageant, http://www.missnewjerseyteenusa.com/newjersey.html.

Her Campus Placeholder Avatar
Sarah Scholz
Her Campus Placeholder Avatar
Jessica Corry
Jessica is one half of the fantastic duo founding Her Campus on the leafy suburban campus that is The College of New Jersey. A Journalism major and Communications minor in the Class of 2012, she is a native of Pennsylvania and an adoptive resident of New Jersey. That's why she can't fist pump, but can pump gas. Before Her Campus, Jessica was a newspaper reporter, communications assistant and world traveler, having studied and interned abroad in London. When she's not writing or talking up a storm, Jessica can be found bargain shopping, catching up on a good book, fiddling with her camera or attempting to stay in shape. Other passions include hummus, tickling those ivories on the piano, meeting new people and all things Her Campus.