Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2026, Makenna Wayman, is a rising junior in high school at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth. A lifelong music lover, Makenna is a huge Mariah Carey fan who runs a fan page dedicated to the global icon. Inspired by the impact music has had on her own life, she created a music education scholarship to help young women pursue their musical passions and careers.

Passionate about health and wellness, Makenna is dedicated to helping girls build confidence through healthy habits. She founded “Fuel Your Purpose,” a nutrition and wellness journal designed to educate and empower teen girls with practical tools for fueling their bodies, creating sustainable routines, and developing a positive relationship with nutrition. Through this initiative, she hopes to inspire the next generation to prioritize both their physical and mental well-being while becoming the best version of themselves!

Outside of her advocacy work, Makenna enjoys creating healthy recipes, discovering new products at Whole Foods, and finding creative ways to make nutritious eating both fun and accessible. She believes that healthy living should feel empowering rather than restrictive.

Makenna is also a member of her school’s all-girls a cappella group, where she continues to share her love of music through performance and collaboration. Whether she’s creating resources for teen girls, supporting the next generation of musicians through her scholarship, or serving her community, Makenna strives to lead with authenticity, compassion, and purpose.

As Miss New Jersey Teen USA 2026, Makenna is honored to represent the Garden State at Miss Teen USA, LIVE on The CW, August 26, 2026. She looks forward to using her reign to encourage young women to fuel their bodies, embrace their individuality, and pursue their dreams with confidence.”