From Dream to Purpose: My Miss America Journey

By Angelique Cauterucci

I first experienced the magic of the Miss America Organization at 11 years old. I was sitting in the audience, watching Miss New Jersey 2017 (Kaitlyn Schoeffel) shine on the national stage, ultimately placing second runner-up. Something in that moment sparked a fire in me. I leaned over and whispered to my aunt, “I want to be just like her one day.” I didn’t know how or when, but I knew that someday, somehow, I’d find myself chasing that same dream. 

Two years later, at 13, my mom and aunt surprised me by signing me up for my first pageant. I was shy. Unsure of myself. I didn’t think I belonged, and I certainly didn’t think I was “good enough” to wear a crown. But something shifted that year. As I navigated the pageant experience, I discovered confidence. I discovered purpose. I found a community that celebrated strength, service, and authenticity. And I fell completely in love with the Miss America Opportunity. 

It was my aunt who encouraged me to be vulnerable. One day, she gently said, “Why don’t you talk about your body image struggles?” That single question changed everything. It gave me the courage to open up about something I had hidden for years. My battle with body dysmorphia and suffering with an eating disorder. And in that moment, I found my voice. That voice turned into a mission. 

I began speaking to students in schools, studios, and teams. I created my nonprofit, You Define Beauty, to help youth see their value beyond appearance. I handed out affirmation cards, launched a podcast, and built a platform where every young person could feel seen, heard, and empowered. To date, I’ve reached over 80,000 individuals. And I’m just getting started. 

Two years ago, after I stepped off the Miss New Jersey’s Teen stage, my aunt was waiting for me. She wrapped me in a hug and whispered, “You’ll get it next year. You’re not just competing for you, you’re competing for me, and for every student you’ve already touched.” That was the last time I saw her. And that moment has stayed with me ever since.

Now, in my fifth year competing within the Miss America Opportunity, this isn’t just a dream anymore, it’s a mission. A deeply personal one. I’ve placed in the top 5 for the last three years and I am so excited to see what happens in two weeks. I’ll walk onto the Miss New Jersey’s Teen stage once again. Not just as the girl who whispered a dream at 11 years old but as a young woman with a purpose. I’m showing up for every student who’s ever felt less than. For everyone who’s struggled in silence. And for my aunt, who believed in me long before I ever believed in myself.

---------

Angelique Cauterucci is the current Miss Cape Shores' Teen (NJ). You can find her at her title's Instagram or her personal Instagram. You can also check out the "You Define Beauty" website, Instagram, TikTok, and Podcast.

Find all her guest blogs for Section 36 Forevers here.

A Story About Body Image

By Angelique Cauterucci

For as long as I can remember, gymnastics was my entire world. The crisp scent of chalk in the air, the metallic clink of bars, the powerful spring of the vault, and the mesmerizing dance of the floor routines weren’t just details — they were part of me. The countless hours spent perfecting my balance on the beam, the adrenaline rush before a dismount, and the satisfaction of nailing a skill I once thought impossible fueled my passion. I was a little girl with big dreams, pouring every ounce of my heart and soul into the sport I adored.

But when I was nine years old, my world was shaken. I still remember the day my instructor looked me dead in the eye and said, “You will never be a competitive gymnast. You don’t have the right body type. It just isn’t going to happen for you.” Those words hit me like a ton of bricks. I was devastated.

I had a choice: let her words crush me or use them as fuel. I chose the latter. Instead of giving up, I pushed harder. I trained longer. I drowned out the negativity with pure determination. And slowly, I found something more powerful than talent—I found confidence and beauty within myself. That inner strength carried me through the rough days, and eventually, I proved my instructor wrong.

I became a Junior Olympic regional qualifier on the USA team. And now? I’m a proud NCAA collegiate athlete.

But my journey didn’t end there. Experiencing the pressures of negative body image at such a young age inspired me to do something bigger—to help others struggling with the same challenges. That’s why I created my nonprofit organization "You Define Beauty".

Through You Define Beauty, I have been a guest speaker in over 45 classrooms, 20 dance classes, 12 Girl Scout meetings, and 8 gymnastics teams throughout New Jersey. I’ve partnered with numerous non-profit organizations to help provide mental health resources to my community. Since starting my program, I have spoken to over 5,600 students between the ages of 7 and 22 about the importance of body positivity and confidence.

Every presentation begins with my personal story of overcoming negative body image and low self-esteem. Then, I share practical tools to help improve self-confidence. My favorite tool is teaching the importance of morning affirmations. I challenge each student to start their day by looking in the mirror and complimenting themselves. I even bring out a small mirror and say to myself, “You are beautiful, you are strong, you define your own beauty!” It feels silly at first, but doing it consistently leads to massive changes in confidence and body image.

After every assembly, I make myself available to any student who wants to share their story with me. To my surprise, so many of them step out of their comfort zones to open up. Speaking to kids one-on-one is a reminder of the real impact I’m making.

When I transformed You Define Beauty into a non-profit organization, I started bringing affirmation boxes to each school I visited. These boxes contain over 300 cards filled with positive messages written by high school and college students. The boxes are placed in school counselor offices, where students can grab encouragement whenever they need it. So far, I have 12 affirmation boxes in different schools and we’ve made over 3,500 cards!

Most recently, I founded the You Define Beauty Club at Saint Leo University. We host monthly meetings to organize fundraisers and events aimed at spreading awareness and educating others about body dysmorphia. Our efforts are gaining momentum, and we’re planning a 3K walk with a fundraising goal of $3,000 to support mental health initiatives and promote self-acceptance.

I also started an Instagram reel and TikTok series where I share my morning affirmations and monthly goals for students to use as inspiration. So far, my videos have generated over 65,000 views across all platforms. I even built a website to reach people who may not be on social media.

And it doesn’t stop there. I launched a podcast called You Define Beauty, where I interview guests about body positivity, self-esteem, and confidence. It’s available on all streaming platforms, and it’s another way I’m trying to make a difference.

Everything I do—whether it’s speaking to students, creating affirmation boxes, making videos, or hosting a podcast—is aimed at helping people overcome body dysmorphia and build self-confidence. Because at the end of the day, true beauty comes from within. And you define your own beauty."

---------

Angelique Cauterucci is the current Miss Cape Shores' Teen (NJ). You can find her at her title's Instagram or her personal Instagram. You can also check out the "You Define Beauty" website, Instagram, TikTok, and Podcast.

This is her first guest blog for Section 36 Forevers.