Showing posts with label Miss Next Century. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Miss Next Century. Show all posts

Miss Next Century 2025 - Jaedyn Janae Puahaulani Pavao

Miss Aloha Hula 2025, Jaedyn Janae Puahaulani Pavao. Image credit: Merry Monarch Festival.

Jaedyn Janae Puahaulani Pavao is a Hawaiian registered nurse and Hula dancer under the direction of Kumu Hula Leinā‘ala Pavao Jardin of Hālau Ka Lei Mokihana o Leināʻala from Kalāheo on Kauaʻi. Pavao won the title of Miss Aloha Hula 2025 at the 62nd annual Merrie Monarch Festival that takes place in Hilo, Hawaii. The 23 year old was also recognized with the Hawaiian Language Award, an additional honor acknowledging her outstanding achievement in ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language).

Pavao was named as our 15th Miss Next Century in 2025. Pavao is the 2nd Miss Aloha Hula to receive the Miss Next Century honor.

Social Media

Instagram: @jaedynpavao
LinkedIn: Jaedyn Pavao

Additional Reading

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Miss Next Century 2024 - Poornima Peiris

Beekeeper for a day. Image credit: Poornima Peiris via Instagram

Poornima Peiris is a Sri Lankan engineer, artist, science communicator, and STEM advocate. Pieris earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree at Stony Brook University and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in bioengineering and nanotechnology at Harvard.

Among other achievements, Pieris participated in a NASA Space Grant project researching space fuels to be used on the upcoming Mars mission. She is also interested in biodesign, nuerosciene, space health. In additional to social media, podcasts and videos, Pieris has been a contributor to Forbes. She is passionate about STEM education, particular in inspiring youth, women, and young scientists from traditionally underpresented communities to develop an interest and become more involved in STEM subjects. An artist herself, she also promotes art and expression among scientists and so is a role model for adding the "A" for art into STEM and turning the acronym into STEAM.

Pieris also has a passion and talent for social media and currenty managages @stemcorps @thescicommunity Instagram accounts. In 2022, she launched a "STEM IT UP" social media camptain to promote STEM in youth and underreprestended groups.

Her avocations include crafting, fencing, painting, and tennis.

Poornima Peiris was named Future-ish's 14th Miss Next Century in 2024.

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Miss Next Century 2023 - Morgan Romano

Morgan Romano is an American chemical engineer. Romano was first runner up in the 2022 Miss USA pageant and assumed the title of Miss USA 2022 when R'Bonney Gabriel won the Miss Universe pageant. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) from the University of South Carolina in 2020 with a focus in chemical engineering.

Romano has used her platform as Miss USA to promote STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and math) and STEAM subjects (STEM + Art), particularly with young women. Her interest in STEM began during her teenage years when she was also very involved with dance competitions and explored design interests such as fashion.

Romano continues to advocate and serve as a role model for STEM and STEAM by sharing her passion for engineering and fashion, demonstrating that scientists are diverse in their interests and experiences. She works with organizations and projects such as Best Buddies International, Project Scientist, and STEM Girls Change the World to inspire new generations of women to explore STEM careers. She has also partnered with Faron Medhi, Miss Teen USA 2022, to support Smile Train, the world's larges cleft-focused nonprofit.

Morgan Romano was named Future-ish's 13th Miss Next Century in 2023.

Social Media

>> Facebook: morgan.romano90
>> Instagram: @officialmorganromano
>> LinkedIn: Morgan Romano

Additional Reading

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Miss Next Century | Heni Unwin

Heni Unwin is a Māori marine scientist working to integrate Mātauranga Māori (Māori traditional knowledge) and Western science. Unwin's Iwi affiliations are Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Ngāti Kahungunu ki Wairoa, Rongomaiwahine, Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Atihaunui-a-Papaarangi.

Unwin completed her BS in Chemistry at Universityof Otago with a minor in Māori and later earned a Gradute Diploma in Marine Science from University of Auckland and a Diploma in Science in Marine Studies from Bay of Plenty Polytechnic. As of 2022, she is also working towards a Masters in Enviornmental Science at University of Canterbury and currently works as a research scientist at the Cawthron Institute in New Zealand.

It was a snorkeling adventure while visiting Raratonga when she was 10 years old that convinced her that a career in marine sciences was in her future. But the fact that that experience was also in the realm of Tangaroa (Māori God of the sea) was is as important to her as her calling to do research and she strives to ensure her work in science also serves Māori communities.

Like many indigenous scientists, Unwin has had to navigate two worlds but she has done so with positivity and enthusiasm. Even though she was often the only Māori student in many of her classes at university, the support from her parents to celebrate her Māori tradtions and ancestry has fueled her passion to share her knowledge and experiences through outreach, as well as include opportunities for rangatahi (youth) to participate in all of her research projects. Her current projects include investigating the effects of microplastics on the endemic Green-lipped mussel and launching an innteractive plastic tracking tool.

Unwin was named Future-ish's 11th Miss Next Century in 2021.

Social Media

>> Instagram: @henwin15
>> LinkedIn

Additional Reading

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Miss Next Century 2020 | Merritt Moore

Merritt Moore is an American ballerina and quantum physicist. Moore's love for math and dance started at a young age growing up in California. Moore dances professionally for ballet companies around the world and completed her PhD in Atomic and Laser Physics at Oxford in 2017 following her underaduate degree in physics at Harvard. In 2020, Moore began an innovative residency at Harvard's ArtLab exploring how AI can inspire human creativity through dance.

Moore was named Glamour's 'Top Ten College Women' in 2010. In 2017, Moore was a candidate on BBC Two's 'Astronauts: Do You Have What It Takes?'. In 2018, Moore started a unique Instagram profile and campaign called SASters Squad (Science-Art-Sisters Squad, @sasters_squad) to support and promote women pursuing both science and art. Moore was named one of Forbes 'Forbes 30 under 30' in 2020.

Merritt Moore was named Future-ish's 10th Miss Next Century in 2020.

Social Media

>> Facebook
>> Instagram: @physicsonpointe | @sasters_squad
>> LinkedIn
>> Twitter: @physicsonpointe

Additional Reading
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Miss Next Century 2019 | Alicia Gonzaléz Martínez


Alicia Gonzaléz Martínez is a Spanish neurologist, dancer (classical and flamenco), and performer. She received her medical degree from the University of Castilla-La Mancha in Spain and has held research and residency positions in the US and in Spain. Gonzaléz Martínez started dancing at age 3. In 2010, Gonzaléz Martínez and several friends started a performing group called Ojos Venecia. Gonzaléz Martínez sees many similarities in science and dancing, including creativity, resilience, ongoing training, the need for communication, and a long list of failures and successes.

Gonzaléz Martínez was named Future-ish's 9th Miss Next Century in 2019.

Additional Reading
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Miss Next Century 2018 | Kára McCullough

Image credit: Miss Universe

Kára Deidra McCullough is an American physical scientist and emergency preparedness specialist. McCullough is also the winner of the 2017 Miss USA pageant and represented the USA in the 2017 Miss Universe contest where she was a top 10 finalist.

McCullough was born in Naples, Italy to US military family but spent most of her childhood in Virginia Beach. Her mother's role as Chief Petty Officer in the US Navy gave Kára the opportunity to travel and learn about diverse cultures in places like Hawaii, Japan, Sicily, and South Korea.

McCullough often speaks about her interest in science from a very young age. Her interest continued to grow so pursuing a career in sciences was a clear choice for her. McCullough earned her Bachelor of Sciences in Chemistry with a focus on radiochemistry at South Carolina State University where she also first became a member of the American Chemical Society, the Health Physics Society, and the American Nuclear Society. She was also inducted into the Golden Key International Honour Society and the National Society of Black Engineers. At the time of the Miss USA pageant, McCullough worked at the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission's Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response as an emergency preparedness specialist.

McCullough interest in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering, and math) led her to create an outreach program called Science Exploration for Kids (SE4K) that she funds herself. SE4k creates interactive activities celebrating and cultivate a passion for STEM subjects among children. As Miss USA, McCullough plans to expand her program throughout the country

McCullough is also a great example of the importance of being well-rounded in interests and activities. In addition to her professional career and her work to inspire young minds to study STEM subjects, her personal love and participation in sports led her to coach a girls youth sports program in while she lived and worked in Washington, DC. She loves cooking Italian and soul food and she's making the most out of her new life in New York city by exploring the Big Apple on her bike or rollerblades.

McCullough was named Future-ish's 8th Miss Next Century in 2018.

Below is a video of McCullough talking about her love for science and starting Science Exploration for Kids (SE4K):


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Miss Next Century 2017 | Jasmmine Kaur Ramgotra

Miss Next Century 2017, Jasmmine Kaur Ramgotra.
Image credit: Avi Loud

Jasmmine Kaur Ramgotra is a Canadian dancer, choreographer, model and visual designer who is also known by the name JASE in her creative endeavors.

Ramgotra's work ranges from the exploration of her mixed race identity to addressing the challenges of diversity in the environmental movement, and the creative expression of complex environmental and social issues. Her goal as an artist is to create works that foster a new culture of inclusion, respect and innovation through cross-disciplinary partnerships: eliminating the abstraction that makes art inaccessible, and bringing the deeper meaning to the eyes and ears of her audience.

Inspiration for her work comes from her mixed-race experience, her research in the environmental field, and her strong desire to tell challenging truths about our culture. Ramgotra deeply values collaboration with other performers and artists in the area, and believes that making connections across disciplines will help bring art to the forefront of positive cultural change.

Ramgotra began her dance training with classical Indian styles such as Kathak and Bharatanatyam, and later explored Western dance traditions including jazz, modern, contemporary and ballet at the school of Spectrum Dance Theater in Seattle for many years. Most recently, she has been studying and participating in more urban and street styles such as popping, vogue and house alongside local artists such as Angel Moonyeka and Amy O'Neal.

Jasmmine's unique movement style is a fusion of all the forms she has learned up until this point, and she embodies them beginning and ending with a respect for the culture and roots of each form - she believes strongly that we need to acknowledge the history of each dance style, and continue to learn the legacies we are embodying when we practice them.

Ramgotra will graduate with a double degree in Environmental Studies and Dance, and a minor in Environmental Science from the University of Washington in June of 2017. Afterwards, she is looking forward to embarking on new meaningful collaborations that bring social issues, activism, art, and education to the forefront of cultural expression.

Ramgotra was named Future-ish's seventh Miss Next Century in 2017.

Examples of Ramgotra's creative works can be found below.

"Night Shade," collaboration created in November 2016:


"The Disposable Life", performed at the University of Washington Dance Majors Concert in March of 2016:




Excerpts from "In the White Frame" from June 2016:



Additional Reading:

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Miss Next Century 2015 | Kara Wilke

Kara Wilke (left) with her sisters Caitlyn and Bryn (more about her sisters below). Image credit: Christy Tyler Photography.

Kara Wilke is an American mechanical engineer, former championship level Irish Dancer, and certified Irish Dance Instructor (T.C.R.G.) through the An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha (CLRG). Some might say she lives in two “worlds” – one that involves metal properties, mechanics, and lots of math – and another that involves rhinestones, curly wigs, fancy dresses, and crazy fast feet!

Wilke received her BS in Mechanical Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 2009, graduating with cum laude honors. Throughout her college career, she was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honors Society, Senior Design Project Leader, and has since acquired her Engineer in Training (E.I.T.) license and Six Sigma Green Belt Certification. Her work with designs, testing, systems, processes, manufacturing plants, and customers have allowed for packaging improvement and innovations in the field to take place leading to new designs and several million dollars of savings.

Kara Wilke, 2007

Wilke started Irish Dance at the age of 11 and continued to dance throughout college, advancing to the Open Championship level in competition. She has competed and placed at the national level, and at 17 began to assist in classes to help the younger dancers. After retiring from competition, she pursued her dream of becoming a Certified Irish Dance Teacher, TCRG (Teagascóir Choimisiúin le Rinci Gaelacha), all the while working as a Project Design Engineer.

Wilke with one of her dancers,
Caroline, at 2014 regionals.
Wilke is an instructor at the Mayer School of Irish Dance and has been the the leader of the Mayer Performance Team for the past three years. The performance team gives the dancers opportunities to perform on television, in parades, as well as in nursing homes around St. Patrick’s Day (those are her favorite!). Her passion and talent has helped others hone their skills, and brought several dancers to compete at Regional, National, and World competitions all over the United States, Ireland, England, Scotland, and Canada. The ability to take her knowledge as an Engineer and also her talent as an Irish Dance instructor by crossing over the learning potential in both fields, has led Kara to become innovative at work and a great motivator with both coworkers and dancers.

Wilke and her Mother at 2009 Nationals
Throughout all of these accomplishments, there’s one thing that has kept her sane and striving for more – Kara’s family. Her parents and four siblings have provided support and guidance throughout her life, and continue to do so, due to the fact that they are all in the STEM fields as well (3 with their Bachelors in Computer Science, 2 with their Masters, one with her PhD, and a partridge in a pear tree). Her mother, as one of the first females to graduate from her school with Bachelors in Computer Science, and along with her sisters – Caitlyn with her PhD in Pharmacoeconomics and Bryn with her Masters in Chemistry – especially provide inspiration and motivation to push for bigger and better.

Wilke was named as our fifth Miss Next Century in 2015.
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Culture Icon | Adrienne Keene

Image credit: Melanie Rieders via Harvard Gazette

Adrienne Keene (Cherokee) is a Native American researcher and blogger. Keene received her BA in Cultural & Social Anthropology and Native Merican Studies from Stanford University in 2007 and earned her Doctorate in Education from Harvard in 2014. Keene's graduate research focused on Native (American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian) access to higher education and the role of pre-college access programs in Native student success. Keene was a recipient of the Harvard University Presidential Scholarship and her dissertation was selected for the 2013-2014 National Academy of Education/Spencer Dissertation Fellowship. She was also the first recipient of the Harvard Graduate School of Education Kolajo Paul Afolabi Award for Educational Justice in 2013.

Keene has volunteered with College Horizons, a nonprofit organization that assists Native students with college applications for over 10 years.

Keene's website and blog, Native Appropriations is a forum for discussing representations of Native peoples. Keene and Native Appropriations have received international praise for challenging stereotypes, misrepresentations, and cultural appropriations of Native peoples in fashion, media, and popular culture. Keene has also written for Racialicious, Sociological Images, Bitch Magazine, Indian Country Today, as well as other print and online media outlets.

Keene was added to our Citizens of the Next Century List in 2013 and was named as our fourth Miss Next Century in 2014.

>> Facebook: Native Appropriations
>> Website/Blog: Native Appropriations
>> Twitter: @NativeApprops
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Culture Icon | Manalani Mili Hokoana English

Manalani Mili Hokoana English is a Hawaiian college student and Hula Dancer under the direction of na kumu hula Napua Greig and Kahulu Maluo of Kula, Hawaii located on Maui. English won the title of Miss Aloha Hula 2013 at the 50th annual Merrie Monarch Festival that takes place in Hilo, Hawaii located on the Big Island. Winning the title at age 24, English started dancing with her hula hālau 16 years earlier at the age of nine. English was runner up for the same title in 2011. In addition to winning the title of Miss Aloha Hula 2013, English was also awarded the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) Hawaiian Language Award. English is studying radiation technology at Kapiʻolani Community College in Honolulu. English is a scholar in the Maui-based Liko A'e Native Hawaiian Leadership Program program and - given the great cover of Landslide we found on YouTube - she is a fantastic singer too.

English was named as our third Miss Next Century in 2013.

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Alyssa Campanella

Alyssa Campanella. © Glenn Francis, www.PacificProDigital.com

We've highlighted many fabulous 'glamour geeks' here on Future-ish so we are pleased to offer a string of bows and curtsies in congratulations to our first 'regal geek'. That's right, in June 2011 Alyssa Campanella, an actress, fashion model, and self-proclaimed history and science geek, was crowned Miss USA in Las Vegas. The reigning Ms. California, Campanella brings with her to the role a passion for space exploration, the arts (particularly fashion and Italian cooking), and history books.

As royalty goes, most crowns come with a string of new titles so we've come up with a couple for this smart sovereign.

Miss Next Century
We launched our Citizens of the Next Century List in 2010 and have had a fantastic time researching new inductees for our 2011 list that will be announced in December. Honorees on the list are individuals that we feel are way ahead of their time. They are people that are passionate about the science, design, and culture shaping our future and - more importantly - they are actively creating a better future...today! Just for fun, we're going to jump the gun a little and name Campanella our first ever Miss Next Century as she is a shining example of the type of individuals the honor was established to recognize. In one interview, Campanella even states that Charles Bolden, Jr., Chief Administrator of NASA, is the person she'd most like to have lunch with saying that she'd "love to discuss his opinions and thoughts about certain past missions within the NASA space program, as well as what the future holds in store for discovery." That's SO next century!

Queen of The Smart Set
Given Campanella's interests (and for a little more fun), we've also named Campanella our very first Queen of The Smart Set. We often use the term, "the smart set", to refer to our collection of people with a passion for science, design, and culture shaping our future (you can find more of our Smart Set on the sidebar to the left). Campanella has definitely earned the title. Campanella took her studies seriously early on, maintaining a 4.0 GPA through high school and was a consistent member on the honor roll. She even graduated from high school a year early after receiving a scholarship to the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts in Manhattan. Along the way, she received national merit awards from the United States Achievement Academy in 2004 and 2006. And, like many other royals around the world who support humanitarian causes, volunteering is also very important to Alyssa. She has volunteered with organizations including UNICEF, Ronald McDonald House, and Go Red for Women. In 2005, she organized a fundraiser within her community for UNICEF and raised over $2200 for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. In 2007, she was named an Honorary UNICEF Ambassador.

Below is another image of Campanella we love. It is by David Colwell for a fashion spread in the March 2011 issue of Baltimore Magazine titled Wonderland. Notice the aircraft blueprints in the background...a perfect setting indeed for this newly-crowned thoroughly modern monarch.

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Design Idol | Summer Rayne Oakes

A woman of both brains and beauty, model, activist, tv personality, and entrepreneur, Summer Rayne Oakes, is a true Future-ish "it girl". With degrees in environmental science and entomology from Cornell and lots of time in front of many cameras she speaks eloquently and energetically about her passion for people and the planet. Her audiences range from students and CEOs to producers and politicians making her truly a force of and for nature. Not confined to just social and environmental issues, in public settings Summer refers to herself as a "cause model" and explains that it is a role we all can take up when we find something we're passionate about.

One of her most recent accolades is winning the 2011 Cartier Women’s Initiative Award with co-founder Benita Singh for Source4Style, an online marketplace and community for sustainable textiles and other materials.

Oakes is one of our favorite Design Idols, was called out as one of our Emerging Minds in 2006, was one of the first individuals added to our Citizens of the Next Century List, and - in 2012 - was named as our second Ms. Next Century.

Learn more about her work at www.summerrayne.net or follow her on Twitter.
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