1st runner-up 2023, Semi-finalist 2022, Semi-finalist 2020, Semi-finalist 2019
Julia Carrano placed first runner-up at Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2023 and succeeded UmaSofia Srivastava as Miss New Jersey Teen USA in October 2023 after UmaSofia won Miss Teen USA. Inspired by her grandfather, Julia founded her non-profit, Hearts 4 Hearing in 2019. Through her website and community outreach efforts, Julia collects hearing aids to support the state’s Hearing Aid Project.
Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2023 Julia Carrano is a high school honors graduate from Manahawkin, NJ. She is currently in college studying Psychology and hopes one day to obtain her postgraduate degree and become a mental health therapist working with teens.
As a survivor of treatment-resistant depression, the current youth mental health crisis is near and dear to Julia’s heart. She hopes to ‘smash the stigma’ surrounding mental health and share her story with young people throughout the state to help them understand ‘it’s ok to not be ok’ and that kindness counts. She has worked alongside peer groups and currently volunteers as a trained crisis counselor with the National Crisis Text Line.
Inspired by her grandfather, Julia founded her non-profit, Hearts 4 Hearing in 2019. Through her website and community outreach efforts, Julia collects hearing aids to support the state’s Hearing Aid Project. Donated hearing aids are refurbished and provided free-of-charge to recipients who could otherwise not obtain them due to cost. Since 2019, Hearts 4 Hearing has received over $1,000,000 worth of donations and has helped hundreds of people regain their hearing and quality of life. Julia has had the opportunity to consult with other organizations seeking to utilize Hearts 4 Hearing as a business model for similar programs in their area.
As a child, Julia grew up on Long Beach Island. When Hurricane Sandy destroyed her home and crippled her school, she moved with her family across the bay to Manahawkin. Julia was inspired to dedicate herself to community service by the overwhelming support her own community received in the aftermath of the storm. She’s had many opportunities to volunteer and fundraise with charities, including the Special Children’s Committee, David’s Dream and Believe Cancer Foundation, the Michael Lorenzi Philanthropic Fund, and food and clothing drives.
Julia is an avid music lover. In addition to being part of her therapeutic journey, music also influenced Julia’s 7-year career as a competitive dancer. Her compassion for those who can’t hear music was integral to her founding Hearts 4 Hearing. She’s been playing the alto-saxophone since the age of 9 and has recently started learning the guitar. In her free time, Julia enjoys going to concerts, hiking and spending time at the beach.
Julia believes you should never give up on your dreams or yourself no matter the circumstances. She’s honored to serve as Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2023 and hopes that her journey to the crown will demonstrate an example to always pursue your passion and that anything is possible.
Julia placed first runner-up at Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2023, and assumed the title after Umasofia Srivastava won Miss Teen USA.
Lights, camera, action! Professional photoshoots are one of the perks that comes from winning a title.
Julia was previously a semi-finalist at Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2019, 2020 and 2022. Here are her previous pageant photos.
All beautiful things must come to an end, no matter how bittersweet. See Julia’s farewell walk and other candids from the weekend she crowned her successor Julia Livolsi as Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2024.