By Danielle Kutchel
Narre Warren South has a new queen!
Sixteen-year-old student Ashley Lucey-Jannert was crowned Miss Teen of Australia in a ceremony on Thursday 8 April.
It follows a journey of more than a year – she was named as a finalist in the competition in March 2020.
Ms Lucey-Jannert said it felt “incredible” to take home the sash.
“This was most definitely not something I was expecting!” she said.
“As this was my first time competing in a pageant, I knew that I would be lucky to receive any title or award.
“Any of the girls in my division could have been crowned, the competition was that close.
“When they finally called out my name, I was completely shocked but so excited!”
Ms Lucey-Jannert has been dancing since the age of four, and has performed in a number of City of Casey events, as well as films, television commercials and voice-overs – so being able to attend the final of the Miss Teen of Australia competition in person was particularly special.
“As a performer, I was really keen to be able to get back out in front of an audience after being in lockdown for so long,” she said.
Along the way, she raised funds for the Ellen Fund, an organisation that raises money to house endangered gorillas in Rwanda.
Ms Lucey-Jannert raised a stunning $2000 – a fifth of the total raised by all of the contestants in the competition.
As well as the major crown, she received the Miss Charity Princess Award and was voted Miss Teen Congeniality.
She hopes now to compete in more pageants, nationally and perhaps even internationally.
The newly crowned Miss Teen will use her platform to raise awareness for Beyond Blue, a charity that’s close to her heart after the loss of her uncle Sam in 2016 from mental health issues.
“Throughout my reign, I am hoping to make public appearances around Melbourne to raise awareness for Beyond Blue, the Miss of Australia pageant, and hopefully empower others to be the best that they can be,” she said.
It’s not just a crown and a new title that Ms Lucey-Jannert has gained; she has also come away from the competition with new friends around the country, experience in public speaking and enhanced confidence.
“Winning Miss Teen of Australia 2020-2022 has made me feel like I can do absolutely anything I set my mind to and I hope that it inspires other people to feel that they too can achieve their goals. Anything is possible!” she said.
To donate to Ms Lucey-Jannert’s fundraising efforts, visit https://fundraise.beyondblue.org.au/ashleylucey-jannert/
