Johnston's Arakelian crowned Miss RI American Teenager Junior

Sometimes coming in as runner-up has its advantages, such as in the case of Giavanna Arakelian of Johnston, who was crowned Miss RI American Teenager Junior.

On Sunday Sept. 25, at the Alpine Country Club in Cranston, the national titleholder Kaitlin Dupont crowned Giavanna, 14.

Arakelian won her first pageant in May 2015 and won the title of Miss Rhode Island PreTeen Italia 2015. In May 2016, the reign had come to an end, and Giavanna wanted to participate in another pageant, one with a national system.

She decided on the Miss American Teenager junior division for ages 13 to 15, which took place at the Alpine Country Club on June 12. Elaine and Ray Paolo are the Directors of the New England region of the Miss American Teenager Pageant. The Paolos are very active in the pageant world.

Kaitlin DuPont won the title of Miss Rhode Island American Teenager Junior, and Giavanna was the first runner up. DuPont went on to the Nationals held in New Jersey, and on Aug. 6 won the national title of Miss American Teenager.

“Within a few days I received the phone call from Elaine Paolo of the accomplishment of Kaitlin DuPont winning the national title, but it also meant that the first runner-up would assume the title and duties of the state title,” Giavanna said.

“We were ecstatic to hear the news,” said her mother, Gina Sabitoni-Arakelian, Mrs. Rhode Island America 2016. “As Mrs. Rhode Island America 2016, Elaine and Ray Paolo are my directors as well. They were so thrilled to have a mother and daughter titleholders for 2016.”

Giavanna graduated from St. Mary’s School in Cranston in June and is a freshman at La Salle Academy. She loves all styles, including ballet, lyrical, jazz, hip hop, modern, contemporary and tap, and has been dancing since the age of 4. She dances at the studio of Maria Benson Center for Dance in Cranston, through which she has won numerous competitions throughout the New England region.

Giavanna has also given back to the community. She recently chaired the walk for the Tomorrow Fund for her school, and at La Salle Academy she attended her first meeting of the ProLife Club, a club designed to give back those most in need in the Rhode Island community.

Just this past weekend, Giavanna remained busy with community service by walking in the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation walk, attending the Johnston Police Explorer Post 405 fundraiser, and then heading off to the Victoria Alviti Music Foundation fundraiser.

“I am thrilled and honored to be a role model for American teenagers and even more thrilled to join her role model, my mom, Gina Sabitoni-Arakelian, Mrs. Rhode Island America 2016, to represent the State of Rhode Island,” Giavanna said.

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THE CROWNING:

Pictured is former Miss American Teenager Junior, Kaitlin DuPont, crowning the new titleholder, Giavanna Arakelian of Johnston, at the Alpine Country Club on Sept. 25. (Submitted photos)

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FAMILY CELEBRATION:

Miss RI American Teenager Junior Giavanna Arakelian is surrounded by her immediate family after her crowning at the Alpine Country Club. Pictured with Arakelian, from left, are brother George Arakelian III, mother Gina Sabitoni- Arakelian, and father George Arakelian Jr.

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PICTURE PERFECT:

Pictured is the new Miss RI American Teenager Junior, Giavanna Arakelian of Johnston.