ORLAND PARK, IL — Orland Park native Julia Yock, 15, has officially won the title of Miss Teen International 2026. She is one of the youngest competitors to ever win the Miss Teen International title—the youngest was 14 years old. Julia has been competing in pageants since the age of 11.
This is Yock's third time competing in this category: the first was in 2024, making the top 7 finalists at just 13 years old as Miss Teen Greece International (connecting to her ancestral roots); in 2025 she ran as Miss Teen Illinois International and got second runner-up; this year, she competed as Miss Teen Midwest International and clinched the title. Yock also won the Best Evening Gown award, and the Most Photogenic award.
"Winning Miss Teen International is honestly a dream come true," she said. "I worked so hard for this, and hearing my name called was a moment I'll never forget. I was so excited and grateful, and I think it's one of those moments that will always feel a little surreal to me."
Yock beat out 15 other girls in her category, where the age range for competing is from 13-18 years old, but hundreds competed in the state and country pageants to win the opportunity to compete on this National level. Judges scored the contestants based on 40 percent interview (and separately 40 percent on-stage question for finalists), 20 percent fitness, 20 percent fun fashion, and 20 percent evening gown competitions. The competition took place July 28 & 29 at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie.
The International Pageants system is a platform-based system. As her platform, Yock chose to focus on the importance of how mental and physical health are connected. Yock's platform, Move With Ambition: For Mind, Body & Health, was sparked out of her lifelong passion for dance, and began as a way to fundraise and collect donations for children in underserved communities who couldn't afford dancewear or lessons. It has now grown and evolved into a mission focused on the powerful connection between physical activity and mental well-being.
Through her platform, Yock encourages young people to discover forms of movement they enjoy—whether through dance, cheer, sports, fitness, walking, or simply becoming more active in their everyday lives. Through education, awareness, fundraising, community involvement, and her social media initiatives, she works to show teens how movement can help reduce stress, build confidence, support emotional well-being, and create healthier habits.
"I realize that social media can have a negative impact on mental health, but I also know the reality is that it's something kids my age are really connected to," Yock said. "Instead of just focusing on the negative, I try to use social media in a positive way by sharing Mental Health Monday tips and Fitness Friday inspiration. At the same time, I think it's important to know when to put the phone down and take some time for yourself. That's why I created my 20/20 Challenge—to encourage teens to take 20 minutes away from their phones or electronics and spend that time doing something good for themselves, whether that's getting active, having some quiet time, or just taking a break and resetting."
At the heart of Move with Ambition is Yock's belief that movement looks different for everyone and that you don't have to be an athlete to experience its physical and mental health benefits. As Miss Teen International 2026, York plans to expand the reach of her platform by connecting with schools, organizations, and communities while inspiring more young people to make both their mental and physical health a priority.
"I noticed how great I looked and felt after being active— whether it was dance, cheer, working out or moving my body," Yock said. "There were days when I was tired or feeling down about something that happened at school and didn't feel like doing anything. But once I pushed myself to get moving, I almost always felt better afterwards. That's what made me realize how connected our minds and bodies really are. I want other kids my age to understand that too, especially because so many teens are dealing with a lot mentally right now."
She is also an ambassador for NAMI, National Alliance on Mental Illness, as well as Dancing for Dancers and an official Princess Mentor for I'm a Dancer Against Cancer. York is very excited about representing the International Pageant system.
Along with putting in a lot of hard work, she credits the organization for helping to improve her confidence and hone her speaking and communication skills, which, she believed, helped her clinch the title. Yock said she is aware that she will be a role model and inspiration for many young teens, and she is taking her role and responsibilities very seriously.
"I want to make the most of every opportunity this year gives me," she said. "I'm especially excited to grow my platform, 'Move with Ambition', and use my title to connect with other teens, meet new people, and hopefully make a positive impact wherever I can. I'm excited for the experiences this year will bring and to represent the International system that has already given me so many opportunities to grow, connect with others, and make a difference."
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