Charnae Payne, a senior at Cinnaminson High School, recently was crowned Miss Teen of New Jersey. She will compete at Miss Teen of America in November.
Payne, who moved to Cinnaminson with her family last year, is no regular of the pageant scene.
Payne received an invitation to the Miss Teen of New Jersey competition via mail.
“I was just like why not try it out?” Payne said. “First I kind of questioned it because I’m not really the pageant type.”
“When I saw it was more academic-based and community service-based, I thought why not. Since I have been very devoted to my schoolwork and school in general, it was nice to find something that did compliment that.”
Competitors are invited to the annual competition based on their academics, leadership abilities, personal achievements and activities at school.
“I didn’t know what to expect at all,” Payne said. “I was moreso doing it for the experience, especially since the crowning date was going to be my 17th birthday. I figured why not travel and check out a college campus (Bloomsburg University).”
Contestants are judged in six categories: achievement and service; interview; general awareness; scholastic record; personal development; and projection, poise and personality.
“My parents and siblings have been very supportive,” Payne said. “They were all for it as long as I wanted to do it. They knew I was always hardworking, but to have other people see that in their daughter, it made them very proud.”
Payne is going to be recognized by Senator Diane Allen on November 14.
“I’ll be in the chamber and get to take pictures with a lot of senators,” Payne said. “It’s going to be overwhelming and fun all at the same time.”
When Payne decided to accept the invitation it marked her debut in the pageant circuit.
During the talent portion of the Miss Teen of New Jersey pageant Payne sang for the judges and audience.
“I sang the Star Spangled Banner. That was only my second time performing on a stage in front of people. I honestly don’t even remember it,” Payne explained.
“The other time was with the concert choir here at Cinnaminson. That was surreal because I’m not used to singing in front of big groups of people alone. I just don’t remember what happened. It was a good reaction.”
The Miss Teen of America pageant will be held at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
“Everything will be in the Mall of America,” Payne said. “We won’t have to go back and forth between buildings like we did in heels and gowns at Bloomsburg.”
Competitors range in age from 13-18 for both the state and national levels of the pageant.
The crowing will take place on Sunday, November 20, but Payne will be there from November 16-20 for various events leading up to the final pageant.
“After check-in we will have a get acquainted party themed around Prince since he’s from Minnesota. We all have to wear purple,” Payne said of the schedule in November. “The next day is our rehearsals because we do a big group dance performance. We will then do our interviews with the judges.”
Payne is running multiple fundraisers leading up to the Miss Teen of America pageant. She has been, and will continue to sell baked goods at every home Cinnaminson High School football game this season.
“People have been really welcoming and friendly and willing to donate money. I’ve sold cookies, brownies and cupcakes at football games.”
“February 24 I will have an inclusion event planned at the high school. I’m an ambassador for the Special Olympics, which is the charity Miss Teen of America is paired with. I will host an event here that will probably be sports related. I want to help kids with disabilities communicate with other kids and feel welcome.”
Payne will also work with the high school’s multicultural club to start a food and coat drive for the people of Haiti affected by Hurricane Matthew.
Payne is in charge of community service this year for the multicultural club.
“There are a few people in the club who are Haitian,” Payne said. “It would be nice to bring the multicultural club into it and hopefully get the whole community involved in the drive.”
Payne has been working to acquire sponsors as part of her fundraising efforts.
Any businesses interested in lending Payne a hand in her quest for the Miss Teen of America title, she can be reached at paynecharnae16@gmail.com.
Warren Alexander founded the Miss Teen of America pageant in 1983. Alexander was a former educator and pageant director. He founded the pageant to help the youth of America reach their full potential.
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