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Meet LUCILLE ESLER
Education: Gloversville High School
Talent: Dance
Service Initiative: Life With Theodorable: Supporting Autistic Individuals and their Families
Lucille Esler is a junior at Gloversville High School and the proud titleholder of Miss Finger Lakes’ Teen 2026. Inspired by her youngest brother Teddy, she created “Life With Theodorable,” a platform dedicated to supporting autistic individuals and their families while promoting inclusion and understanding within her community. Lucille also established the “Life With Theodorable” scholarship for graduating seniors entering the field of special education. Through the Miss America Opportunity, she hopes to continue advocating for neurodiversity while growing as a leader, public speaker, and performer.
2026 CONTESTANTS
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Madilynn Clark
ADIRONDACK
Service Initiative
Stand Up to Stigma: Let's Talk About Mental Health
Talent
Vocal
Education
Lowville Academy Central School -
Isabella Occhipinti
CENTRAL NEW YORK
Service Initiative
Love Your Selfie #Nofilternecessary
Talent
Gymnastics
Education
Rome Free Academy -
Jaymie Alio
CITY OF NEW YORK
Service Initiative
Kids & Cash: Advocating financial literacy education for youth
Talent
Lyrical Dance
Education
Liberty University -
Jovanna Baskin
ERIE COUNTY
Service Initiative
Social Media Young Voter Engagement
Talent
Monologue
Education
High School -
Aeowyn Sayer Holmes
EXCELSIOR
Service Initiative
Literacy Awareness thru Books 4 Bedtime
Talent
Dance
Education
Baldwinsville Central School District -
Lucille Esler
FINGER LAKES
Service Initiative
Life With Theodorable: Supporting Autistic Individuals and their Families
Talent
Dance
Education
Gloversville High School -
Frankie Hinton
HUDSON VALLEY
Service Initiative
I Love Libraries
Talent
Vocal
Education
Sacred Heart -
Alexis Ryan
RICHMOND COUNTY
Service Initiative
The Power of Pink
Talent
Lyrical Dance
Education
Tottenville High School -
Victoria DiPaolo
STATEN ISLAND
Service Initiative
Serving Those Who Served
Talent
Vocal
Education
Port Richmond High School -
JaNae Nash
UPSTATE NEW YORK
Service Initiative
Know the illness, Find The cure Asthma Awareness
Talent
Pom Dance
Education
Shenendehowa High School -
Gillian Vit
WESTERN NEW YORK
Service Initiative
Music Moves Us
Talent
Violin
Education
Canandaigua Academy
The Legacy
The Miss America’s TeenS
from New York
Maria DeSantis
Miss New York’s Teen 2006
Miss America’s Teen 2007
Miss New York’s teens
2025 Nadia Anwar
2024 Erica Parks
2023 Sadie Perry
2022 Dajania James (4th RU)
2021 Gianna Caetano
2019 Sarah Lawrence
2018 Cayla Kumar
2017 Asia Hickman
2016 Lauryn Whitfield
2015 Alisa Vasquez
2014 Cady Ruth Stoever
2013 Krysta Prehoda
2012 Shannon Ryan
2011 Lauren Molella
2010 Alison Stroming
2009 Kara Jae Kowalski
2008 Alexandra Mazzucchelli
2007 Alison Carlos
2006 Brittany Balandis*
2006 Maria DeSantis
2005 Amanda Lee Alicea
* Titleholder took over for Miss New York after they won Miss America or resigned their title