- People
- 07/09/2026
TU/e student takes to catwalk to support women’s education
“My self-esteem doesn’t depend on it, but it’s still really fun to be able to wear the title—and the accompanying sash—of Miss Teen of the Universe Netherlands 2026,” says TU/e student Anna Huijgen. She earned the title not only because of her looks, but above all because of her mission: the Industrial Engineering student advocates for women’s education in STEM fields.
Anna Huijgen was born in Barendrecht but has Colombian roots. In her mother’s hometown, the newspapers are full of stories about her being Miss Teen of the Universe Netherlands, while in South Holland, residents simply shrug their shoulders. “My Colombian family says I should walk in a parade, while my Dutch family calmly says ‘congratulations’.”
She doesn’t consider the title the most important thing either, but she does value being able to use the pageant to promote her mission. That mission, which she calls advocacy, is women’s education and getting more women into the IT and technology sectors.
I have (...) a boating license, just for fun. And my golf license, a diving certificate, and next year I’m going for my truck driver’s license.
“Other contestants chose different causes for their advocacy, such as more support for people with disabilities or promoting self-confidence among women. I want to work toward getting more women into the technical fields. I hope more girls will study STEM disciplines: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. I study Industrial Engineering (IE, ed.), where only 29 percent of students are women.”
Seizing opportunities
A major role model for Huijgen is her own mother. “She comes from a small Colombian village called Codazzi. My grandfather taught her that education was the only way to achieve something in the world. She studied chemical engineering and is now a scientist. She’s a real role model for me; she also seized the opportunity that came her way.”
The IE student also tries everything that comes her way and enjoys new and unusual experiences. “I really do my best and always give 100 percent. For example, I have a boating license, just for fun. And my golf license, a diving certificate, and next year I’m going for my truck driver’s license. It’s also a great way to meet lots of people. My father owns a car dealership, and in the summer I sometimes do some basic mechanic work there.”
A new challenge
“When I was studying for my VWO exams—which means cramming all day and occasionally checking social media—I saw the Miss Teen pageant come up. I used to do ballet, I like being on stage, and after all that studying I wanted to do something different. So I signed up.” Huijgen made it through all the rounds and won the final in May, when she was a first-year student.
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“At the final, the audience sees me walking on the catwalk, but there was quite a lot of work behind the scenes beforehand. For a period of time, you have weekly lessons in public speaking, dancing, presentation, answering questions, and so on. All in Almere.”
In her pageant speech, she talked not only about her mother, but also about the self-produced series ‘She solves it’ that she published on her Instagram account, Anna.Huijgen. “I interview interesting women there, such as TU/e Rector Magnificus Silvia Lenaerts and climate professor Heleen de Coninck.”
Passing on the crown
Huijgen is looking forward to traveling to India in October to compete for the world title. “I’m really excited to meet the other girls and experience Indian culture. Actually, I want everyone to win. My self-worth doesn’t depend on winning or losing. I see it as a fun side quest alongside my studies.”
She can keep her current title until the next Miss Teen Netherlands is chosen in 2027. After a final walk, Huijgen will crown the new titleholder. “But I have to remain active in my advocacy until then. If I just sit on my butt, the crown will be passed on to the runner-up.”
If you saw me studying in the library, you wouldn’t think I was Miss Teen. I’d just be sitting there in sweatpants with my hair in a bun.
She is certainly staying active. “I’m currently an ambassador for HerFuture, an online community I discovered at TU/e during a lunch lecture. The group focuses on getting more women into technology. I’m really someone who believes in ‘women supporting women,’ so I joined.
“While working on my advocacy, I saw a call for ambassadors and seized the opportunity. Again, I thought, ‘Let’s see what happens.’ And soon I’ll be handing out flyers on campus for HerFuture.”
Fairly anonymous
She is proud of the title, but she doesn’t mind being able to go through student life relatively anonymously. “If you saw me studying in the library, you wouldn’t think I was Miss Teen. I’d just be sitting there in sweatpants with my hair in a bun.” Like all her other personal revelations, she tells this story with a laugh and in a relaxed manner.
It may seem as though everything works out for her. “There’s plenty that goes wrong, of course, but I don’t let that stop me. I focus on the good.” So does she never worry about anything?
“Of course I do. The housing shortage, the climate crisis, AI, you name it. But then I think to myself: I can spend all day worrying about it, or I can take part in a pageant. I enjoy the time I have.”
Balance and happiness
And when it comes to the pageant, she doesn’t deny herself anything. “On Thursdays, I still go out with my study association Industria at ‘t Lempke on Stratumsend. I’m just a student who studies, learns, and parties.”
“I think it’s important to have a good balance. I passed my BSA, so from now on it’s simply a matter of doing my best. This year, I also want to get a part-time job, and I might join the student investment club B&R Beurs Eindhoven.”
“I’m lucky with where I was born, who my parents are, and the opportunities I get. I’m very aware of that. And that’s why I seize those opportunities. Closed mouths don’t get fed, so you have to use your mouth to ask questions and say that you’re taking part. And that’s what I do.”
This article was translated using AI-assisted tools and reviewed by an editor.
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