Miss New York Teen USA rejects Miss Teen USA title after 2023 winner suddenly resigns

“It was an extremely difficult decision to make,” the student told PEOPLE just days after UmaSofia Srivastava resigned.

Following the surprise resignation of Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava last week, Miss New York Teen USA Stephanie Skinner says she was offered the crown — but the first runner-up in last year's pageant tells PEOPLE that she declined the title and is focusing on other dreams this year.

“It was an extremely difficult decision to make,” says Skinner, 19.

“I worked so hard and sacrificed so much to achieve this goal of becoming Miss Teen USA,” she says, “and while this title was a dream of mine, I believe it is something I I will never give up is my character.”

Skinner, a rising student at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, said she felt turning down the opportunity was “the right decision.”

Related: UmaSofia Srivastava Says Resigning From Miss Teen USA Title 'Wasn't My First Choice' (Exclusive)

A representative for the Miss USA Organization did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Skinner's news comes days after Srivastava and Miss USA 2023 Noelia Voigt resigned.

On Wednesday, May 8, Srivastava announced her decision on Instagram and said in a statement that her “personal values ​​no longer fully align with the direction of the organization.”

Related: Miss Teen USA 2023 UmaSofia Srivastava Resigns Just 2 Days After Miss USA Resigns

“After months of struggling with this decision, I have made the choice to resign from the title of Miss Teen USA 2023,” she wrote. “I am grateful for all the support from my family, my state directors, my sister queens and the fans who have cheered me on since I won my state title. I will always look back fondly on my time as Miss NJ Teen USA, and the experience of representing my state as the first generation of Mexican Americans on a national level was rewarding in itself.

Two days before Srivastava's announcement, Voigt announced that she was resigning from her own title.

“I realize this may come as a big shock to many,” Voigt, 24, wrote in an Instagram post announcing the decision, which was shared on Monday (May 6). “Never compromise your physical and mental well-being.”

“In life, I highly value the importance of making the decisions that are best for you and your mental health,” she wrote. “My journey as Miss USA has been incredibly meaningful, proudly representing Utah and then the United States at Miss Universe. Unfortunately, I have made the very difficult decision to resign the title of Miss USA 2023.”

Miss USA publicly wished both winners good luck following their decisions.

Hours after Srivastava's news broke, she appeared at a philanthropic reception where she explained her decision while speaking with PEOPLE.

“It certainly wasn't my first choice [to resign]”, she then said. “Unfortunately, I can't say much more at the moment. But I would like to say that it was a decision that required a lot of thought – and ultimately, I can't wait to see what happens next. »

“I’m in high school and I’m going to apply to colleges,” Srivastava said. “So I’m looking forward to exploring my future and finding out what motivates me [me] Again.”

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For Skinner, who will crown a new Miss New York Teen winner at the end of June, her professional goals also come first, she told PEOPLE.

This summer, the Hands of Hope founder will participate in an eight-week global research program as a marketing data analyst in Bangkok, Thailand – a prior commitment she plans to honor.

“I think it's really important to note that we dedicate our entire lives to working towards a goal like this, but in light of recent events, integrity and character must come first,” she says.

Skinner adds: “I just think it was the best decision for me.”

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