Junior Jennifer Steele named "Miss Seventeen"
Released: December 22, 2005
“These are exciting times because never has this happened; I am the first, and that’s very exciting, overwhelming and empowering,” wrote University of Wisconsin-Whitewater junior Jennifer Steele on her blog at www.seventeen.com after being named “Miss Seventeen.”
As “Miss Seventeen,” Steele will appear on the cover of Seventeen magazine’s February issue and will also receive a scholarship, a print ad campaign and $25,000.
“I am thankful and happy my sister Stephanie and Grandma Mary Lynn were able to come to New York City (a place they had never been) to share the experience of winning Miss Seventeen with me,” said Steele.
Steele is working three jobs to put herself through college since both of her parents are incarcerated. She is currently studying journalism at UW-Whitewater.
Steele writes on her blog, “The competition of Miss Seventeen could potentially be a baby step for positive change. Change doesn't happen over night, but there's one thing we all can count on, and that's change. The simple fact that 17 ladies across America were given such profound opportunity is huge, and there was something different and unique about each one of us, so hopefully, other young girls out there were able to relate. There are things I wish you could have seen, each of us has such strong messages and the hunger to help.”
- Shauna Stevens,stevenssm26@uww.edu
