Alexandria Elizabeth Hodnik - Autistic Teen Model

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Staten Island resident Alexandria Elizabeth Hodnik is doing it all. As a current senior at the Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School, Alexandria isn’t letting her Asperger syndrome (AS) diagnosis get in the way of pursuing her dreams.

In January 2018, Alexandria mustered up the courage to compete in the Miss New York Teen USA pageant. She impressed the judges and audience and one month later she was signed by the modeling agency MMG.

After being signed by MMG, Alexandria continued on her quest for a title in the pageant system -- all while keeping a high GPA in school. In March 2018, she completed in the W.A.C. North American pageant and won the “Most Photogenic” award.

This past January, Alexandria competed in the Miss New York Teen USA Pageant, more confident than ever. The next month, in February, she was a contestant in the East Coast New York Pageant and won “Grand Supreme 2019.” In March, she also won “W.A.C. North American Teen 2019.”

Alexandria shared, “Anything is possible and stepping out of your comfort zone is definitely okay.”

The accomplishments and journey of this young woman doesn’t stop there. This month she will be competing at the New York & New Jersey Perfect Model Pageant in New York City as well.

These titles mean so much to Alexandria, especially because she never had it easy growing up.

“She was bullied. Teased on a regular basis. She’s quirky and people never understood her and they didn't stick around to try. She now has some amazing friends. She has endured so much and always manages to smile,” Gardner-Hodnik said.

In the fall, Alexandria will be attending CUNY College of Staten Island. Ultimately, her goal is to be a successful independent makeup artist. But in the meantime, she wants to continue helping and encouraging others in the community.