Miss Teen Long Beach is Healing the World

Dr. Daniel Shere | Volunteer

As a child, Ruby Mayo was a participant in the Early Childhood Education Center and Camp Komaroff at the Alpert Jewish Community Center. Today, Ruby is the newly crowned Miss Teen Long Beach 2022.

Miss Long Beach is a pageant that was created by the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, and since 2008, has been run by Justin Rudd’s 501(c)3 Community Action Team. The pageant awards several titles, ranging from Little Miss to Mrs. The competition emphasizes contestants’ contributions to the local community. Participants are evaluated on personal interviews, evening attire, upscale-casual wear, and a final question from the judges. Believing it is ‘better to say oops than what if,’ Ruby made the decision to participate. Though initially intimidating, she ultimately found, “It wasn’t too scary,” and had a very positive experience.

Ruby’s outlook on life is inspired by the Jewish value Tikkun Olam (heal the world), and helping others – a mindset that has manifested in every phase of her life. In elementary school, she was a fifth grade peer tutor. In middle school, she was inspired by a family friend who had Angelman Syndrome, a genetic disorder, and donated 10% of her Bat Mitzvah gifts to research on the condition. Ruby continued her commitment to helping others when she entered high school. She was drawn to the Best Buddies program at Woodrow Wilson High School, a club dedicated to ending the social, physical, and economic isolation of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Ruby would join students with special needs for lunch every Monday, and would often see them on campus and take time to say hello and make connections. In addition, the future Miss Teen was involved with the Eco Friendly Bruins Club, a member of the Associated Student Body, and a participant and supporter of the Special Olympics.

Upon transferring to Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, Ruby identified feeding the hungry as an interest and need among the student body, and began Action Against Hunger, a club that now has more than 50 members of which she is president. Not one to be hampered by the limits of the pandemic, she retained club membership and volunteers via social media. They collected food and developed a program to equip volunteers with “to-go” aid kits for people in need. The kits consist of non-perishable grocery items collected by the club members, and distributed while driving and scouring the neighborhoods for those in need.

Ruby’s passion for service has extended far beyond her Long Beach community. Her recent travels via Global Leadership Adventures brought her to the Dominican Republic, along with a delegation of other teens from around the world for a two-week medical mission. The participants created a pop-up medical clinic where Ruby assisted with patient intake and the distribution of medical supplies. Despite language barriers and learning curves, the group faithfully served over 100 families during their stay.

Mazel Tov to Ruby as her Miss Teen Long Beach reign commences. We salute her for making a difference in the community and the world. Her upcoming official appearances include the Long Beach Polar splash on January 15, and later in the year there will be parades, the National Adult Spelling Bee, and many other exciting community activities.

Connect with Ruby on Instagram @missteenlongbeach2022 and her club, Action Against Hunger @actionagainsthunger_md.

Mazel Tov to Ruby as her Miss Teen Long Beach reign commences.

Ruby working in a Dominican Republic health clinic this past summer.

Ruby, Miss Teen Long Beach, at this year's Long Beach Turkey Trot