WILTON – Miss Teen Maine International 2018 Valerianne Hinkley left for Charleston, West Virginia yesterday to represent the State of Maine in competing for the prestigious title of Miss Teen International 2018 and the opportunity to fulfill her personal dream of being a positive role model for young people while making a difference in the world.
She is the daughter of Jennie and Brian Young and Scott Hinkley of Wilton, granddaughter of Raymond Bouchard, Sr of Auburn, Debbie Hinkley of Wilton, and Roxanne Grant of Farmington and the great granddaughter of Mabel Heath of New Vineyard.
She will join other teens from across the globe for a week of rehearsals and community events including a visit to the boys and girls club. Each delegate will compete in athleisure wear, evening gown, fun fashion and personal interview. The top 10 will move on to the finals on July 28 along with a voters choice following preliminaries on July 26.
Valerianne is employed with The Family Freeze in Wilton. She is a junior at Mt Blue High School where she is a honor student having earned her academic letter and academic pin, a member of the varsity cheerleading team and severed two terms as a student council member. Valerianne is also a member of Firehouse Tumbling and creator of BE BOLD STAND UP TO BULLYING- a campaign to raise awareness around bullying which is her platform.
As Miss Teen Maine International, Valerianne has met with groups, met with the Department of Education, spoken individually with public officials, met with the school board and made public appearances to talk about bullying and the effects it has on youth. She has shared her own personal journey along with sharing the Maine State bullying laws.
Valerianne has been featured nationally by Bullies Reality, Bikers Against Bullying Canada, The Bully Project and with other smaller groups. She along with 3 others from Mt Blue High School will be attending the Empowerment Training for Students To Create Positive Change in Their Schools and Communities in Augusta next month.
Going to Nationals would not be possible without all the help from sponsors and donations. The family wishes to thank the following for their help: E L Vining & Sons, Wilton Fire Department, Madulla Hair & Nail Studio, Tinny’s Auto, Maine Red Claws, Tuck’s Ale House Customers, Church, Tranten’s Store, Salon Mimosa & Audrey, N. Sillanpaa, Grant Lee’s, Brickyard Café, Jordan Lumber Co, The Kingfield Woodsman, Nile Logging & Leasing, Poverty Hill Crafts, Jack Trading Post, Richards Florist, Hamlin Electric, Palmer Reality, Arkay Pizza, Madore’s Market, Annie Moore, Family/Friends, Craig S, Michael Motors, Farmington Tire, Tiffany & Family, Pro Service, Jacob Staples Photography, Lux Salon Hallowell, Richard P, Mystic Valley Grange #313, Upright Framework LLC, Wilton Hardware Store, Expenet Technologies, Shiretown Insurance, Deb Roberts, Drivah Macgyvah, Sizzle Tanning, S&K Earth, Welch’s Auto Repair, & Tuttle’s Auto
To contact Valerianne for an appearance or as a guest speaker, please email her at valerianne2009@gmail.com
Good Luck Valerianne!!!!
Good Luck Valerie. We will be cheering for you!
Why is MBRSD not using this young lady as a resource in our younger schools with all the bullying happening? It’s a shame we have her in our district yet not using her to help. Young lady, thank you for going out there and standing up for an issue that is not only happening in our back yard but in every community out there. Sadly, MBRSD doesn’t use resources available to them. Good Luck to you and I hope we hear more about you.
MBHS PARENT if the school would have been in support of Valerianne or the other kids that are bullied then she wouldn’t have such a strong platform. It is too bad that it happens so often and is ignored. The state board of education had 0 zero reports of any bullying at RSU 9 until about a month ago. Then all of a sudden there were over fifty 50 but all of them were from cascade brook. The schools bullying policy can be found on their website search keyword bulling or look up policy JICK.
Way to go Valerianne! Good luck! In response to previous comments, RSU 9 is very slack when it comes to bullying, i had a child in middle school, had gone in multiple times to talk to the principal and teachers as her talking to them wasnt helping. They asked if we had filled out a complaint , ummm no… apparently there is a formal complaint form that school has for kids to fill out… and when i asked why I had never been told the precious times this year or last they had no awnser. Im still waiting for a call back.. u would think they would take bullying serious, after a child who was bullied at MBMS commited suicide, bullying may not have been the only reason behind it, but it was part of it!!!
You are already a winner in my opinion!! Way to represent Maine and children all over.
Good Luck Valerianne! Have a great time. Breathe, smile, think positive and go for it :)
Valerianne is having an exciting time at Nationals already. She met the current Miss Teen International Carly Peeters within 20 minutes of arriving on Saturday, had an ice cream social and Princess/Prince time at the Boys and Girls Club today with the children there. Tonight she is in a Runway Fashion Show at the Charleston Mall. She will also be out playing beach volleyball and paddle boarding with her pageant sisters from across the global which is a great team bonding. Her number is #5 for everything which is great per her director as she will be in front for prelims Thursday night. Her interview with 5 judges individually meeting with her one at a time is set for 8am Wednesday. Prelims are not live, but Finals on Saturday will be live streams for $20 at internationalpageants.tv and start 730pm. Top 10 teens plus voters choice will be announced at finals after the opening dance. No matter the outcome, Valerianne is already a winner and if she is not crowned Miss Teen International 2018, she will come home as your Miss Teen Maine International still and continue her journey in raising awareness on bullying in Maine until 4/2019. You may follow her week at Nationals on her pageant facebook page under Miss Teen Maine International 2018.