Bright, multicolored lights beam down on a captivating, glittery tiara as the girl wearing it glides slowly across the Miss Nebraska Teen stage, her elegant gown trailing behind her. Music booms in the background as an elegantly dressed contestant waves to the crowd, with loud cheers and applause cheering her on. This high school senior is carrying one of the state’s most prestigious titles on her shoulders.
This was the scene at the Miss Nebraska Teen pageant on June 8, 2024. After participating in pageantry for less than a year, senior Janae Harris was crowned at the annual scholarship competition in North Platte, Nebraska.
“I had a teacher a long time ago… She [the teacher] said, ‘Janae I think you’d be really great at this role’, and I’ve always wanted to do modeling, so I was like ‘OK, this will help me get into that’… so I decided to try it. I’m so glad I did,” Harris said.
To become Miss Nebraska Teen, Harris participated in a week of outings and practices, including community service activities and talent rehearsals, and preparing for and executing a private interview and an on-stage question. She also presented an evening gown look and a fitness wear outfit, along with performing her chosen talent for the competition, which Harris selected as dance.
These factors come together to determine who is granted the honor of serving as Miss Nebraska Teen on the final day of the week-long endeavor. This is the signature, crowning moment of the week.
Courtney A. Long, one of the two Miss Nebraska Co-Executive State Directors, has overseen the process for many Miss Nebraska Teen girls. She emphasizes that the role of Miss Nebraska Teen entails more responsibility and activism than others may think.
“Girls come to compete, yes, but they really do amazing things in their community. They become super involved across the state with their social impact initiatives…” Long said. “The confidence that you gain, the communication skills and public speaking opportunities, and just being able to perform a talent on the state and national stages is amazing.”
With the long days she’s spent networking and preparing for her role, Harris can support this.
“[It’s important for others to] understand how hard girls work to not just “be pretty” and have that sense of posture but share things that are very important to them and others in their community,” Harris said. “It’s about spreading your message.”
As Harris set forth, she has clearly spread her message. Her service initiative, “#Made4More”, is centered around dyslexia awareness. Harris is dedicated to her goal of teaching and informing others about this common disorder.
“#Made4More” has taken her far. For this initiative, Harris explains that she strategically chose a topic close to home.
“A lot of girls pick their platforms because they are a part of them and [what they speak about] is something that needs to be normalized and talked about more,” Harris said. “I didn’t pick dyslexia because I don’t have dyslexia, I picked it because I do and so many other people do. It’s important.”
Harris loves her position as Miss Nebraska Teen, but one aspect of the job takes first place in her heart.
“Being able to travel is one of my favorite parts of this position. I’m able to travel around the state and I’ve even gone to Texas for a National Dyslexia Conference and spoken with neurologists, pathologists, and really smart people. I’ve been able to make great connections,” Harris said.
Having said that, Harris’s travels aren’t strictly confined to only the U.S. Recently she was invited to represent Nebraska on a Kenya service trip. This opportunity is contingent on her becoming Miss America’s Teen on January 5, 2025. If she achieved this title, she would leave in December 2025, directly after Christmas. On this trip, she would volunteer in school rebuilding programs and African literacy organizations for one to two months.
Harris’s position comes with its stressors though. Being Miss Nebraska Teen is a massive undertaking, especially for a busy student like Harris.
“I’m constantly busy with all the activities that I do, like lacrosse, the [Millard] STEM Academy, and school in general. It all gets really compact and I often have to miss days of school. So making sure I have myself emotionally and physically collected is definitely the hardest part. Especially if I have to do interviews or have to be on the news,” Harris said.
Harris’s mother, Amanda Hall, who Harris regards as her “biggest supporter”, has witnessed Harris’s experience and flourishing firsthand. She recognizes the magnitude of her daughter’s role and feels she’s gone through it with her.
“I hope Janae knows how proud I am of her. It’s not easy being vulnerable and putting your own story out in the world. It’s a very brave thing to talk about dyslexia to help other people or to read in front of audiences…” Hall said. “She’s smart and compassionate and she inspires me to be too.”
As a direct product of the Miss America Opportunity program, Harris embodies everything the program wants to instill in young girls: female empowerment, ambition, and respect for their community and country.
As Harris’s Miss Nebraska Teen term comes to a close in June 2025, Harris leaves potential Miss Nebraska Teen contenders with some advice: “[What you are] doing and representing is so very important… Stay confident and never give up.”