Serena Karnagy Interview
Miss Hawaii Teen USA 2007 & top 15 @ Miss Teen USA 2007
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Hawaii Teen USA pageant?
I have been competing in pageants since the age of ten, after having taken several modeling classes as a child. Around the age of twelve, I had the opportunity to watch the Miss Hawaii USA and Miss Hawaii Teen USA pageants for the very first time---since then, I was HOOKED. Finally, in 2007, Alicia Jones spotted potential in me after I had placed 1st runner up at her Hawaii’s Miss pageant. Her instincts eventually lead me to sign up for the prestigious Miss Hawaii Teen USA pageant, which was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my entire life.
What was going through your head when you realized you were the new Miss Hawaii Teen USA?
I, honestly, was at shock at the announcement of my name. Although I had gone into the experience with a winning attitude and put my best foot forward, I was not absolutely confident that I was going to walk away with the crown that night. I saw so much grace, beauty, and spunk from all the other contestants--most of whom were older than I was--so all I really ended up doing was trying my very best and hoping the results would be in my favor. When it came to the moment when Eric Chandler had to announce the runners up to the title, I was fully prepared to take a step forward and put a sincere and thankful smile on. With that said, you can imagine how phenomenal it felt to actually be proclaimed the winner, instead! I used to kind of chuckle when I watched videos of pageant winners crying as their crowns were being placed on their heads, thinking that that never sincerely happens--but I was wrong. The tears I choked on that night were as genuine as they get!
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss Teen USA?
The entire experience is filled with lifelong memories, but I’d say the most memorable one was when I had the opportunity to teach all the girls the hula. The art of hula is such a unique cultural aspect of Hawaii, and it was so nice to be able to share a touch of aloha to 50 other teens. They all seemed so intrigued and impressed by it, which made me feel so appreciative to have been born and raised in a state where I am able to practice such beautiful forms and dances on a regular basis. To this day, the teens from the pageant who I still stay in touch with refer to me as “Lilo” or “Hula Girl!”
What would be your first thought when you were called into the top 15 at Miss Teen USA?
I thought “Thank you God for allowing my dream to finally come true!” It was such a pivotal moment in my life. Amidst the crowd cheering, my hands trembling, and my brain going berserk, I was able to take glory and thanks to my God for bringing me to that point. It brought me the single most adrenaline-filled, unparalleled feeling I have ever experienced! The accomplishment of being chosen to be a part of the Top 15 out of 51 contestants made all the preparing, dieting, and praying all so worth it!
You represented Hawaii at the Miss International 2008 pageant. What would be your most memorable moment there?
Well I was in Asia for an entire month in preparation for the pageant, so it’s tough to just pick one memory. I was the absolute youngest competitor out of 62 delegates, so being able to travel to another country on my own was an amazing learning experience in itself. I was able to meet so many girls from around the world and learn about their cultures and traditions. Having taken Spanish for three years in high school, I was able to communicate with the latinas, and as a Filipino, I was also able to communicate with Miss Philippines! Although being able to travel to different places every day, experience the thrill of having a ‘celebrity status’, voicing out my opinion at international political forums, and of course representing Hawaii at a worldwide level was all so unforgettable, making connections with 61 other young women who, despite the language and customs barriers, I am bonded with through the same dream we have of shaping the world to be a better place was more than I could’ve ever asked for.
Will you compete in another pageant in the future?
Right now I am really trying to focus on my college courses and getting an internship at a local news station, but I definitely do wish to participate in either Miss Hawaii or Miss Hawaii USA (or both) in the future. When I do finally decide to enter, I would like to be secured and confident with the woman I have become, the knowledge I have gained throughout the years, and the path I would like to take in order to do my part to change the world. When I have all that settled, I know I will be ready to become the next state, and eventually, national representative.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Hawaii Teen USA ended?
Since my reign, I’ve graduated from Punahou School with honors, then jumped right into the Miss International pageant, which lead to my decision to take my first semester of college off in order to prepare for it. In the Spring, I began my freshman year of college and have been doing side modeling and acting gigs in order to pay for my everyday needs. I have also been starting to launch a healthy food restaurant project, which you will hopefully hear more about in the futu
Thank you Alicia for connecting me with Serena :)
I have been competing in pageants since the age of ten, after having taken several modeling classes as a child. Around the age of twelve, I had the opportunity to watch the Miss Hawaii USA and Miss Hawaii Teen USA pageants for the very first time---since then, I was HOOKED. Finally, in 2007, Alicia Jones spotted potential in me after I had placed 1st runner up at her Hawaii’s Miss pageant. Her instincts eventually lead me to sign up for the prestigious Miss Hawaii Teen USA pageant, which was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my entire life.
What was going through your head when you realized you were the new Miss Hawaii Teen USA?
I, honestly, was at shock at the announcement of my name. Although I had gone into the experience with a winning attitude and put my best foot forward, I was not absolutely confident that I was going to walk away with the crown that night. I saw so much grace, beauty, and spunk from all the other contestants--most of whom were older than I was--so all I really ended up doing was trying my very best and hoping the results would be in my favor. When it came to the moment when Eric Chandler had to announce the runners up to the title, I was fully prepared to take a step forward and put a sincere and thankful smile on. With that said, you can imagine how phenomenal it felt to actually be proclaimed the winner, instead! I used to kind of chuckle when I watched videos of pageant winners crying as their crowns were being placed on their heads, thinking that that never sincerely happens--but I was wrong. The tears I choked on that night were as genuine as they get!
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss Teen USA?
The entire experience is filled with lifelong memories, but I’d say the most memorable one was when I had the opportunity to teach all the girls the hula. The art of hula is such a unique cultural aspect of Hawaii, and it was so nice to be able to share a touch of aloha to 50 other teens. They all seemed so intrigued and impressed by it, which made me feel so appreciative to have been born and raised in a state where I am able to practice such beautiful forms and dances on a regular basis. To this day, the teens from the pageant who I still stay in touch with refer to me as “Lilo” or “Hula Girl!”
What would be your first thought when you were called into the top 15 at Miss Teen USA?
I thought “Thank you God for allowing my dream to finally come true!” It was such a pivotal moment in my life. Amidst the crowd cheering, my hands trembling, and my brain going berserk, I was able to take glory and thanks to my God for bringing me to that point. It brought me the single most adrenaline-filled, unparalleled feeling I have ever experienced! The accomplishment of being chosen to be a part of the Top 15 out of 51 contestants made all the preparing, dieting, and praying all so worth it!
You represented Hawaii at the Miss International 2008 pageant. What would be your most memorable moment there?
Well I was in Asia for an entire month in preparation for the pageant, so it’s tough to just pick one memory. I was the absolute youngest competitor out of 62 delegates, so being able to travel to another country on my own was an amazing learning experience in itself. I was able to meet so many girls from around the world and learn about their cultures and traditions. Having taken Spanish for three years in high school, I was able to communicate with the latinas, and as a Filipino, I was also able to communicate with Miss Philippines! Although being able to travel to different places every day, experience the thrill of having a ‘celebrity status’, voicing out my opinion at international political forums, and of course representing Hawaii at a worldwide level was all so unforgettable, making connections with 61 other young women who, despite the language and customs barriers, I am bonded with through the same dream we have of shaping the world to be a better place was more than I could’ve ever asked for.
Will you compete in another pageant in the future?
Right now I am really trying to focus on my college courses and getting an internship at a local news station, but I definitely do wish to participate in either Miss Hawaii or Miss Hawaii USA (or both) in the future. When I do finally decide to enter, I would like to be secured and confident with the woman I have become, the knowledge I have gained throughout the years, and the path I would like to take in order to do my part to change the world. When I have all that settled, I know I will be ready to become the next state, and eventually, national representative.
Lastly, what have you been up to since your reign as Miss Hawaii Teen USA ended?
Since my reign, I’ve graduated from Punahou School with honors, then jumped right into the Miss International pageant, which lead to my decision to take my first semester of college off in order to prepare for it. In the Spring, I began my freshman year of college and have been doing side modeling and acting gigs in order to pay for my everyday needs. I have also been starting to launch a healthy food restaurant project, which you will hopefully hear more about in the futu
Thank you Alicia for connecting me with Serena :)