Miss Teen Advances Community Efforts

By Janee Law

jlaw@longislandergroup.com

Taylor Yaeger, 2017 Miss Long Island Teen, at the J.E.T.S. of America 19th Annual Dinner Reception in Massapequa, where she received The Louis Miceli Jr. 2016 Special Achievement Award for her efforts within the community. (Photo by Christine Yaeger).

Taylor Yaeger, 2017 Miss Long Island Teen, may have been spotted at many events over the past month.

First, she participated in the Autism Speaks Walk on Oct. 2, and then the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on Oct. 16.

Yaeger, of Dix Hills, joined both walks and, for Autism Speaks, she helped volunteer and was invited to the stage to make a speech.

“I just told everyone how grateful I was to be there,” Yaeger, 18, said. “They were both amazing events but the autism one was really special to me.”

When competing for the Miss Long Island Teen pageant, Yaeger’s platform was autism, as every delegate was encouraged to promote and raise awareness.

The day of the walk, Yaeger said she enjoyed being around the families and loves being able to help others.

As a result, Yaeger was offered the opportunity to be an ambassador for Autism Speaks.

“I think it’s amazing, especially since my platform is autism,” she said. “It really made me happy because that’s just another thing that I could do to help with this cause and help bring awareness to it.”

As an ambassador, Yaeger said she would bring awareness to local schools and help build the confidence of children struggling with autism.

In addition, the Half Hollow Hills High School East graduate attended the J.E.T.S. of America 19th Annual Dinner Reception in Massapequa, where she received The Louis Miceli Jr. 2016 Special Achievement Award for her efforts within the community.

“It’s such an honor because I love helping the community and to be recognized for it is amazing,” Yaeger said.

Over the next few months, Yaeger will ready for the upcoming Miss New York Teen USA pageant, which is slated to be held in upstate Harrison in January.

"It's exciting being Miss Long Island Teen but to win the New York title would be amazing," Yaeger said. "I'm just so excited to start."