Jasmine Alexis Interview
Miss District of Columbia Teen USA 2007
Miss District of Columbia's Outstanding Teen 2008 (top 10 @ MAOT 2009)
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss District of Columbia Teen USA pageant?
Growing up, I always watched pageants on television but never really imagined myself in one until a friend of the family presented me with the idea of actually competing. Never being one to back away from a challenge, I decided to compete and the rest is history!
What was going through your head when you were told you replaced Ava Goldson as the new Miss District of Columbia Teen USA?
It was an absolutely amazing feeling! Simply indescribable! I think I must have screamed and jumped around for about 10 minutes, after that I realized it was time to get my head in the game and get focused on the road ahead. I had quite a bit of preparation to do in so little time, but, nevertheless, I was quite pleased with the end result; having the opportunity to go to Miss Teen USA was quite an enriching experience to say the very least.
What would be your most memorable moment at the Miss Teen USA pageant?
Oh goodness, that’s a hard one because the entire two weeks was a huge blessing for me! I was just happy to be there! Nevertheless, if I could choose one particular moment it would probably be being photographed by world-renowned photographer, Fadil Berisha. I am a huge fan of his work! He is absolutely phenomenal... But then, there’s Universal Studios, which was awesome, watching movies with a few of the contestants after a long day of rehearsals and events, dinner and shopping with all the girls, security making fun of me because I was always the last to finish shopping, seeing my family at the conclusion of the pageant…. It truly is difficult to pin down one specific thing. As cliché as it might sound, I truly had the time of my life, not many people can say they have a friend in each state.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss District of Columbia Teen USA?
For the past few years I have done extensive work with the patients at Children’s Hospital, which without a doubt holds my most memorable moments. The kids are simply phenomenal. They have a way of making you forget the pressures of everyday life with their many different perceptions of what life truly encompasses; the strength and positivity they display despite what they’re going through is beyond inspiring. They are truly a blessing to the world.
1 Why did you decide to compete in the Miss District of Columbia’s Outstanding Teen pageant?
School has always been of the utmost importance in my life so scholarship money was a definite factor. In addition, I recognized that being a titleholder provides you with so many benefits and opportunities that you wouldn’t be presented with otherwise. Plus, I have always loved the idea of being a philanthropist, so I figured what better way to do so than become a titleholder.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the new Miss DC’s Outstanding Teen?
Well, I had already won all of my categories, so I had been crying hysterically for several minutes, so being announced as the winner made the waterworks ten times worse. But if I can recall that particular moment, it was probably something like, “You have got to stop crying before you’re pictures come out horribly” (some girls are lucky enough to have decent pictures when they cry; I however, am not one of them). It was quite an emotional and surreal moment; seeing the look on the faces of my supporters and relatives is a moment I will cherish forever.
What would be your first thought when you were called into the top 10 at Miss America’s Outstanding Teen?
It was definitely one of the most exciting moments I’ve ever experienced, that’s for sure! So many thoughts run through your mind upon being called into the top 10…. You’re excited because you realize that all the hard work (and dieting… oh the dieting) truly paid off and at the same time you’re pumped, focused and ready to compete to get to the next level… And then there’s the spontaneous inclination to want to jump around and scream but of course that would be totally un-lady like… Three words sum it up: ultimate adrenaline rush!
Tell us about your platform “Promoting Internet Safety Among Youth”.
For the past year I have been an active member of a wonderful organization called Teenangels. Teenangels is a group of 13-18 year-old volunteers that have been specially trained by leading safety experts in all aspects of online safety, privacy and security. After completion of the required training, the Teenangels run unique programs in schools, community centers, churches etc. to spread the word about responsible and safe surfing to other teens and younger kids, parents and teachers.
Ultimately, my plan was to motivate the local media to partner with Teenangels. This organization has chapters in several major cities around the nation and can also be found globally with chapters in the United Kingdom & Singapore, with more chapters forming across the world.
Lastly, do you think you’ve made a difference since you were crowned Miss DC’s Outstanding Teen?
Absolutely! I am proud to say that over the duration “pageant career” I have done well over 70 events and have had the incredible opportunity to work with charitable organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House, Covenant House, Jewel Girls, Polaris Project, Hoop Dreams, Best Buddies, Help the Homeless Walk-A-Thon, Queen for a Day, Children’s Miracle Network and many more. I can only hope that I have made an impact on someone’s life personally, even if it was in the smallest measure; that alone is beyond satisfying and drives me to continue with my work. This entire year has been incredible blessing!
Growing up, I always watched pageants on television but never really imagined myself in one until a friend of the family presented me with the idea of actually competing. Never being one to back away from a challenge, I decided to compete and the rest is history!
What was going through your head when you were told you replaced Ava Goldson as the new Miss District of Columbia Teen USA?
It was an absolutely amazing feeling! Simply indescribable! I think I must have screamed and jumped around for about 10 minutes, after that I realized it was time to get my head in the game and get focused on the road ahead. I had quite a bit of preparation to do in so little time, but, nevertheless, I was quite pleased with the end result; having the opportunity to go to Miss Teen USA was quite an enriching experience to say the very least.
What would be your most memorable moment at the Miss Teen USA pageant?
Oh goodness, that’s a hard one because the entire two weeks was a huge blessing for me! I was just happy to be there! Nevertheless, if I could choose one particular moment it would probably be being photographed by world-renowned photographer, Fadil Berisha. I am a huge fan of his work! He is absolutely phenomenal... But then, there’s Universal Studios, which was awesome, watching movies with a few of the contestants after a long day of rehearsals and events, dinner and shopping with all the girls, security making fun of me because I was always the last to finish shopping, seeing my family at the conclusion of the pageant…. It truly is difficult to pin down one specific thing. As cliché as it might sound, I truly had the time of my life, not many people can say they have a friend in each state.
What would be your most memorable moment as Miss District of Columbia Teen USA?
For the past few years I have done extensive work with the patients at Children’s Hospital, which without a doubt holds my most memorable moments. The kids are simply phenomenal. They have a way of making you forget the pressures of everyday life with their many different perceptions of what life truly encompasses; the strength and positivity they display despite what they’re going through is beyond inspiring. They are truly a blessing to the world.
1 Why did you decide to compete in the Miss District of Columbia’s Outstanding Teen pageant?
School has always been of the utmost importance in my life so scholarship money was a definite factor. In addition, I recognized that being a titleholder provides you with so many benefits and opportunities that you wouldn’t be presented with otherwise. Plus, I have always loved the idea of being a philanthropist, so I figured what better way to do so than become a titleholder.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the new Miss DC’s Outstanding Teen?
Well, I had already won all of my categories, so I had been crying hysterically for several minutes, so being announced as the winner made the waterworks ten times worse. But if I can recall that particular moment, it was probably something like, “You have got to stop crying before you’re pictures come out horribly” (some girls are lucky enough to have decent pictures when they cry; I however, am not one of them). It was quite an emotional and surreal moment; seeing the look on the faces of my supporters and relatives is a moment I will cherish forever.
What would be your first thought when you were called into the top 10 at Miss America’s Outstanding Teen?
It was definitely one of the most exciting moments I’ve ever experienced, that’s for sure! So many thoughts run through your mind upon being called into the top 10…. You’re excited because you realize that all the hard work (and dieting… oh the dieting) truly paid off and at the same time you’re pumped, focused and ready to compete to get to the next level… And then there’s the spontaneous inclination to want to jump around and scream but of course that would be totally un-lady like… Three words sum it up: ultimate adrenaline rush!
Tell us about your platform “Promoting Internet Safety Among Youth”.
For the past year I have been an active member of a wonderful organization called Teenangels. Teenangels is a group of 13-18 year-old volunteers that have been specially trained by leading safety experts in all aspects of online safety, privacy and security. After completion of the required training, the Teenangels run unique programs in schools, community centers, churches etc. to spread the word about responsible and safe surfing to other teens and younger kids, parents and teachers.
Ultimately, my plan was to motivate the local media to partner with Teenangels. This organization has chapters in several major cities around the nation and can also be found globally with chapters in the United Kingdom & Singapore, with more chapters forming across the world.
Lastly, do you think you’ve made a difference since you were crowned Miss DC’s Outstanding Teen?
Absolutely! I am proud to say that over the duration “pageant career” I have done well over 70 events and have had the incredible opportunity to work with charitable organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House, Covenant House, Jewel Girls, Polaris Project, Hoop Dreams, Best Buddies, Help the Homeless Walk-A-Thon, Queen for a Day, Children’s Miracle Network and many more. I can only hope that I have made an impact on someone’s life personally, even if it was in the smallest measure; that alone is beyond satisfying and drives me to continue with my work. This entire year has been incredible blessing!