Last year we introduced you to a bubbly and spunky personality, Julianna Cauterucci, who was competing for the title of Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen! She is back again this year, as the reigning Miss Bergen County’s Outstanding Teen! With a personal platform, geared towards educating the youth about bullying, Cauterucci is excited for the upcoming pageant. Continue reading to learn more about Julianna and her journey towards the crown!

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For those who may not be familiar with you, tell our readers a bit about yourself and your background within the pageant world.
I am Julianna Cauterucci, Miss Bergen County’s Outstanding Teen. I live in East Brunswick and I am sophomore at East Brunswick High School in Middlesex County. My county did not have a pageant so I competed in an open state pageant. My platform is Bullying-BFF (Be a Friend First). This is my second year competing for the state title. In 2016, I was Miss Eastern Shore’s Outstanding Teen. I also have competed in other pageant systems prior to Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen. I am trained in tap, jazz, ballet, pointe, hip hop, acro, musical theatre, modern and contemporary dance and a competition dance team member since age six.

The four points of the Miss America crown represent: service, scholarship, style, and success. Which one is the most important to you and why?
I would say success because I like setting goals for myself and doing my best to reach them.  Such as, I wanted to spread the awareness of bullying and inspire youth to be a friend first to someone who was bullied. I feel successful that I have gave presentations to several elementary school students and local Girl Scout troops. I hope by sharing my experiences I make a difference to the younger generation.

During Augostina Mallous’s reign, what is one characteristic you’ve seen her bring forth as Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen, and which do you hope to emulate if you were to win the title?
Augostina has so many admiring characteristics and represents the state exceptionally. I would say one characteristic is that she is humble about her title.

What have you learned from our current Miss New Jersey, Kaitlyn Schoeffel, that can help you be a better outstanding teen?
I have learned to never give up on my dreams and that hard work and true dedication pays off.  Kaitlyn tried several times to gain the title of Miss New Jersey and accomplished her goals. She came so close to the Miss America title.  Kaitlyn is truly inspiring and beautiful.

Please share with our readers your platform and why you’ve chosen to advocate for it.
I choose my platform Bullying-BFF (Be a Friend First) because I was bullied when I was younger and I see it happen very often. I was bullied for something I was passionate about which was dancing.

If you were to win the title of Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen, how do you hope to better educate your generation about your platform and the importance it holds?
I will continue to visit elementary school students and local Girl Scout troops and clubs. I would also start an after-school club so children can talk about their experiences and address bullying because it is a very serious problem.

Tell us about your talent and the decisions you made in proceeding with this talent.
I picked performing a tap routine because tap is my favorite style of dance. I selected a new current song rather than an older song because I wanted to try something different and make it my own.

Having been in pageants and after winning a local title, what advice do you have for those who want to start competing in the MAO system?
My advice is to stay calm, have fun and enjoy the journey of the Miss America Organization.  Make sure that you are not just stressed on winning the crown, because people can really tell and it will make difference in the outcome of how you do.

Because of the way media and certain television networks have portrayed the lifestyle of pageantry, there is a preconceived notion of what a pageant girl is like. How do you think that being a part of the Miss America Organization you are able to break that barrier?
I break that barrier because as being Miss Bergen County’s Outstanding Teen I show people how I make a difference in the community with my platform and other community service. I spoke at several Daisy, Brownie and Junior Girl Scout meetings about my platform and gave presentations to 3rd, 4th and 5th graders at several elementary schools.  I also break the barrier by explaining to my friends and new people I meet the huge difference between certain television shows such as, Toddlers and Tiaras and the Miss America Organization.

Regardless of who wins the title of Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen, what is one goal which you have for them, which you hope they will accomplish during their reign?
I hope the winner uses the power of the Miss New Jersey Outstanding Teen crown to spread the awareness of their platform and make difference throughout the state.

Bravura is an artistic word for exceptional. Tell our readers what make you “bravura.”
I am bravura because when I want to give up I don’t. I work hard in everything that I do such as, school, dance, community service and preparing for Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen.  I set goals for myself and I never forget them.

Where can fans follow you on social media?
You can follow me on Instagram, @juliannacauterucci and or @missbergencountymaoteen2018.  On Twitter you can follow me at @jewelsdancer1. Also, you can like my public Facebook page called Miss Bergen County’s Outstanding Teen Pageant or friend me on Facebook, Julianna Cauterucci.

Do you have any final words for the readers of Bravura Magazine?
Thank you for this on-line interview and promoting Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen Program.  I appreciate the chance to be in this interview and also share my platform. The Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Organization has changed my life and it is an honor to compete for the state title of Miss New Jersey’s Outstanding Teen on January 27, 2018.