Many people may not know what it takes to be a beauty pageant winner. Gabriella Arias certainly didn't. The Miss Teen New York Pageant got her name from Who's Who Among American High School Students. The pageant then sent her a letter asking her to send them her qualifications.

Gabriella, 16, recently finished her junior year at Farmingdale High School. She has never been in a pageant before.

"I never thought I'd do anything like this," she said. Gabriella's time is spent on a myriad of other interests. She plays singles tennis for her school team, and devotes up to six hours of practice a day during the summer months. She enjoys singing and acting. She has been in movies like Spiderman, City by the Sea, Catch Me if You Can, and Stuart Little II, as well as regular appearances on the television show Ed. She has also been on Law & Order.

The pageant will demand that she take all this and show a panel of judges just how well-rounded she is. There are a number of categories, each counting for 15 percent of her final score, service and achievement, scholastic records, personal development, general awareness, and personality, projection, and poise in formal wear. "Service and achievement" desires proof of her involvement in her community. "Scholastic records" looks into her class rank and grades. "Personal development" considers clubs she is involved in, as well as any special talents, abilities, or hobbies she has. "General awareness" makes sure she is up-to-date on current trends in the news, politics, sports, and pop culture. The biggest portion of her score, 25 percent, will be determined through a judges' interview. Miss Teen New York assured Gabriella that this part is most of the girls' favorite. She's not too sure. For a girl who is the first to admit she's "never done anything like this," it looks like she has little to worry about.

Gabriella lives with her parents, Jack and Christine, a 10-year-old brother, Daniel, and her 98-year-old grandmother, Bernadina Arias. She has bright plans for her future.

"I want to be a lawyer, but I also want to sing and act," she said. She plans to take a year off after college and before graduate school to pursue her acting and singing careers full time. Her opportunity to participate in the Miss Teen New York can only open more doors for this talented teenager.