Hauppauge Teen Crowned Miss Empire State Pre-Teen

Hauppauge Middle School student Alexeus Ruland was recently crowned Miss Empire State Pre-Teen in the Miss American Coed pageant system.

Ruland, who recently started 8th grade, will be representing New York at the National Pageant this November where she has a chance to be awarded a scholarship for college and achieve her dream of becoming an equine vet.

In addition to maintaining an A average in school, she is involved with Girl Scouts and is currently working on my Silver Award to promote Autism Awareness in my school.

She volunteers with Great Strides in Middle Island, assisting in the therapeutic riding for people with disabilities; and at another stable in Manorville over the summer.

So far in the past year she has volunteered for a total for 300 hours and hopes to reach 400 hours by the end of this year.

Ruland rides competitively for the Interscholastic Equestrian Team for the stable Country Farms, and last February made it to the Regional Show.

"I am hoping with this title I am able to serve my community more and help other children," she said in an email to Patch. "I am reaching out to all members of my community to see if I can be of assistance in upcoming fundraisers or charitable functions."

Congratulations to Alexeus Ruland!

Photos courtesy of Alexeus Ruland