Americas Most Beautiful Teen 2022

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Jahnai Jah(nye) Elder is from Central Virginia, where she lives with her mom, grandma, and her dogs. She is also a student-athlete at Deleware State University where she plays division one lacrosse. Jahnai is also a Chemistry Major with a focus in pharmacy with hopes of one day becoming a Doctor of Pharmacy and joining the Air Force as an officer. Jahnai enjoys volunteering and giving back and loves to encourage others to do the same.

For the past ten years, Carly has called Los Angeles, California her home. While she has always loved performing, she began acting professionally at the age of ten and has appeared on Grey’s Anatomy, I Mom So Hard, and A Cowgirl’s Story. Carly continues to pursue an acting career while being a full-time college student, and hopes to one day become an executive producer and entertainment lawyer. 

Currently, Carly is a junior in college studying Communication Studies with a minor in economics. She rides with the Cal Poly Equestrian Team, volunteers with Surfrider, and serves as the Director of Fundraising for her chapter of Delta Gamma. 

In 2017, Carly founded a non-profit organization, The Literally Literacy Foundation. Her organization focuses on combating illiteracy, in particular helping elementary aged children strengthen their literacy skills. Since founding, she has organized two international service trips to the Philippines and Haiti to bring the funds and supplies needed to construct two schools in impoverished rural villages. Recently, she has focused on bringing resources to disadvantaged children, such as those in unhoused families or in foster care. During the pandemic, she focused her efforts on those homeless and low income families that were hit the hardest, and used the Second Annual backpack drive to donate school supplies and PPE to these kids.