Joyner competes at Ms. International pageant in Japan

Miss Marianas 2015 Jian Joyner is all in smiles while performing on the ukulele for her fellow delegates during orientation at the 2015 Miss International Pageant in Tokyo. Jian was one of the few delegates chosen to perform. (Contributed Photo)

Joyner joined a total of 70 delegates from around the world to compete for the tiara at the Hiten Ballroom at the Tokyo Grand Prince Hotel.

In the National Costumes segment, which officially opened the annual pageant, Joyner stood among the contestants in an orange sparkling dress, arm cuffs, and a golden crown of rays, representing the islands’ beautiful sunsets.

“I had to calm my nerves and remember why I had made it this far, to represent our islands to the best of my ability,” said the 21-year-old beauty queen. “This [was] definitely an experience of a lifetime and I now have cherished memories and friends to take along with me. Thank you to all who have given me this opportunity and support.”

The crown eventually went to Miss Venezuela Edymar Martinez, with Miss Honduras Jennifer Valle as first runner-up and Miss Kenya Eunice Onyango as second runner-up.

According to Stellar Marianas president Laila Boyer, “it was amazing and inspiring to see Jian on an international stage carrying herself so well and representing our islands with grace and beauty. We are so proud of her.”

Boyer, Stellar Marianas secretary Claudine Camacho, Logistics director Laurence Boyer, Jian’s mother Yasuko Joyner, her grandmother Toyoko Harada, and a few close family friends attended the pageant to give Joyner encouragement and support.

As soon as Joyner saw her mother and grandmother after the event, she couldn’t hold back her tears.

“All of it just rushed back to me and I was so happy to see my family and friends,” she said.

Now back home, Joyner is working on her community projects and hopes to make the connections she made with the other pageant contestants part of promoting the CNMI to the world.

“Before I left for competition, I wanted to help improve our relationship with Japan as a destination. Who would have known I would be roommates with Miss Japan Arisa Nakagawa? It was amazing, symbolic, and worthwhile all rolled into one!” said Joyner. “Now I have a great friend and we can help each other and our island nations reach out to one another and build on the relationship we share. We are the largest generation in the world, even changing the face of the travel industry forever.”

Working as a private tutor, Joyner plans to pursue a degree in Psychology next fall semester.

“This experience has really opened me up, challenged me to go out of my comfort zones. I may have stumbled a bit, but I have really become more confident in my choices and know that it is my hard work and determination that will get me far,” she said. “Thank you all, once again. It was my honor representing our CNMI.”

Stellar Marianas’ sponsors include Delta Air Lines, Triple J Motors, Marianas Visitors Authority, Pena House Boutique, IT&E, Marianas Variety, D&Q International Distributors, MarPac Distributors, Pacifica Insurance, Gold’s Gym Saipan, DFS Galleria, and many others.

For more updates, visit Stellar Marianas on Facebook or follow Joyner on Instagram @missnorthernmarianas. (Stellar Marianas)