McKanna takes Miss Teen Toledo 2006 crown

Published:  Wednesday, January 3, 2007 (2 years ago)
Print

Lindsay McKanna was crowned Miss Teen Toledo 2006.I came home from school one weekend in October to find a letter addressed to my mom that was looking for 10-19-year-old girls to participate in the 2006 Toledo Pageant. I had already been in two pageants and was excited at the prospect of being in another one. I decided to go to the informational meeting on Saturday afternoon Nov. 11 at a Holiday Inn in Lima. There I was given a booklet explaining the pageant. I also had to have a brief interview with a staff member.

Over the next few days all of us girls would be informed if we made the first cut into the pageant. On Monday, Nov. 13, my mom called to tell me that someone had called to congratulate me on making the 2006 Toledo Pageant.

Here’s the scoop on this pageant:

The production was a preliminary contest to the 2007 Cities of America National Competition in Orlando, Fla., next December.

To compete in the pageant I had to come up with $545 in sponsorship money. I also entered the Miss Photogenic which required an additional $125 in sponsorship. For this contest, I had a black and white photo taken that was judged for a modeling contract with John Casablancas Modeling and Career Center in Toledo.

All Top Ten Finalists and Photogenic Runners-Up and Winners earned eligibility and paid sponsorship for the COA National Competition. Each divisional winner and the over-all photogenic winner won eligibility and paid sponsorship to the COA competition along with an expense paid trip for six days and five nights at the Rosen Center Hotel in Orlando to compete.

The pageant was divided into three age divisions: Pre-Teen (10-12), Jr. Teen (13-15) and Teen (16-19). The Toledo pageant was judged on a personal interview with the judges, casual wear, formal wear, and answer to a question. The Teen division’s question was “What is the most valuable lesson you have learned and why?” Once each Top Ten was chosen, each girl would be judged on her answer to a spontaneous question.

Over Thanksgiving break, I went to several businesses in town to get my sponsorship money. On Sunday, Nov. 26, in Perrysburg, I turned in half of my sponsorship money, got my photogenic picture taken and learned the modeling routine for the show.

My personal interview took place in Toledo the morning of Dec. 9. The interview was conducted by the four women who would be my judges the following day. The personal interview was the largest part of the scoring and was based on personality. It was also a first impression for the judges.

The next morning I traveled to Perrysburg High School for rehearsal. I was contestant number 67, the first in the Teen Division. There were about 35 girls in my division. We practiced our modeling routines on stage and got last-minute instructions for the pageant.

At 3 o’clock, we were allowed backstage with our various changes of clothing. We immediately dressed for casual wear, got our pictures taken, and waited for the pageant to begin.

I was the first girl in the fourth group to go on stage. We all modeled while a short biography was read. After my row was done, we left the stage to change for formal wear. Many girls were busy rehearsing their answers to our question. Right before my group went on for formal wear we had to take an impromptu intermission. One of the Jr. Teens got sick all over the stage after answering her question. Needless to say, we went on stage a little shaken.

When everyone was done with formal wear, we all formed a semi-circle on stage. The Photogenic and Top Ten finalists were announced at this time. My name was called first in my division. The 10 of us became fast friends as we waited our turn on stage for the spontaneous questions. We all chose a sealed piece of paper with a question on it. Mine was “What do you think is the biggest challenge for teenagers in today’s society and why?” In short, my answer was peer pressure.

The 30 of us made one last semi-circle as each division’s four runners-up were named. To my surprise, and excitement, I was announced Miss Teen Toledo 2006. I was presented with a three-foot trophy, sash, and crown. I then had to circle the stage while doing the proverbial wave. I had to smile through a lot of pictures, and then all I could think about was getting some supper!

I had a lot of fun participating in this pageant. I never thought I’d be able to compete in another one. The pageant wasn’t all fun though. I had to find sponsors and do a lot of driving. Also, the day after the pageant started finals week at the University of Findlay where I’m a freshman studying public relations. But, overall, the pageant was an absolutely amazing experience.

I would like to thank all my sponsors for enabling me to compete and win a trip to Orlando. Thank you so much for helping me on the road to becoming Miss Teen Toledo 2006.

0 Reader Responses to “McKanna takes Miss Teen Toledo 2006 crown”

Complete the form below to leave a response of your own.