A Browns Plains teenager has been named a national finalist in the Miss Teen Galaxy Australia 2026 competition, and she’s using the spotlight to push for better youth mental-health support in Logan.
Sixteen-year-old Taylor Koopmans will head to New South Wales next May to compete against finalists from across the country. Even as she prepares, she continues building her community initiative, the Talk Louder Project, which encourages teenagers to speak openly about anxiety, depression and the pressures they face.
Taylor said her passion comes from lived experience. “Growing up, I struggled with my mental health, especially anxiety and depression,” she said. Her mum encouraged her to seek help early. “She suggested that I see a therapist,” Taylor said. “I’ve been seeing a therapist for five years now and it’s the best decision I ever made.”
Taylor first entered pageantry in 2017, after a suggestion from her dance teacher. “I was an extremely shy kid,” she said. At her first competition, “I was extremely nervous. But I left that pageant with not only a pretty crown, but I left with a whole new confidence. I left with a whole new set of friends and just wanting to go back and do more.”
Training is intense and ongoing. Taylor practises daily, including walking in heels along a taped line her stepdad set up to help her keep straight posture. She said people often misunderstand pageantry, assuming it involves no preparation, but the reality requires discipline and dedication.
Her charity and community involvement have grown alongside her development. She has volunteered at McHappy Day and plans to support Berrinba Parkrun and Logan City Cleanup for the Bush. She is also preparing to meet the Mayor of Logan to discuss youth mental-health strategies.
Looking ahead, Taylor hopes to continue using her platform for good. She said she aims to win Miss Teen Galaxy Australia, pursue a degree in Psychological Science, and eventually compete in Miss Universe.
Her motivation stays the same. As she put it: “It’s a sign of bravery that you’re willing to go get the help that you need.”
