NORWICH – It was a day of beauty and grace Saturday as 32 contestants sought to win the title Miss New York State Teen-Ager 2006.
Teenage girls age 13-18 gathered in Norwich from 32 areas of the state to compete. Each girl held a local title and competed at the Norwich High School in hopes that they would be crowned on the state level.
The girls spent Friday rehearsing, learning steps, and practicing a choreographed number that would open the show. After rehearsing all day, the girls went on to give vigorous interviews with all three judges. The girls nervous and anxious seemed eager for the rehearsal to begin.
“It’s a great experience and it should be a lot of fun,” said contestant Amber LaPlant, Miss Tioga County while waiting to rehearse the steps and the walk for the bathing suit competition Friday.
All in matching outfits, the girls danced gracefully to the song “Where Dreams Begin.” Providing entertainment throughout times of intermission was the artistic dances of Ricky Schieffer.
The first series of judging was done for the bathing suit competition, directly followed by the evening gowns. The top 10 winners where announced and each girl in the top 10 had to give a one-minute speech. The girls chose topics such as teen abstinence, low self-esteem, their hopes, their dreams and their futures.
After the speeches, the show continued with the announcement of the top five, girls from the Genessee Area, Steuben County, Otsego County, Upstate NY area, and Greater Rochester area. Each of the five were asked a question and had to give an on the spot intelligent, poised, meticulous answer.
Organizer Shayna Jaycox explained to the girls before rehearsals even began that the pageant not only judges, beauty it judges the whole person – personality, poise, confidence, articulation, grace, and most of all it judges whether a girl is being herself.
After a very close tally the winners were announced. Fourth runner up was Miss Gennessee area, third runner up was Miss Otsego County, second runner up was Miss Steuben County, first runner up was Greater Rochester area and this year’s Miss New York State Teenager 2006 was Miss Upstate New York Theresa Hallatt. Hallatt seemed overjoyed and she hugged and thanked everyone who made the day a possibility. She will now go onto the Miss Teen-Ager of the United States pageant in January 2007 in Florida.
“I’m speechless, I’m so excited,” Hallatt said.
Hallatt placed first runner up last year and wanted to come back this year and give it another chance. She also said she wanted to thank Miss Greater Rochester and Miss Genessee. The three contestants traveled together and all three made it to the top five.
Along with the state title there were also two more winners Saturday. Miss Congeniality went to Miss Hudson Valley and most photogenic went to Miss Thousand Islands. The girls acted graciously and all said what a great time they had just being able to attend such an event. Many of the contestants took the stage and also said new friendships were made as well.
Gillespie Pageants have been the focal point for many new friendships and building exciting futures since 1970. The first pageant was held to draw in people to the fair and now has been a tradition for the past 36 years. Throughout the 36 years, Gillespie Pageants, directed by Dick Gillespie, has changed a lot of girls’ lives.
“Becoming Miss Madison County changed my life,” said Michele Andrew, Miss Madison County 1991. Andrew wants to continue her involvement with pageants in any way she can.
Miss Thousand Islands Jessica Scheer said being in the pageants did wonders for her self-esteem and confidence. Jessica wants to continue being in pageants such as the Mrs. World of Beauty. Maureen Hanley Grasso former Miss New York State World has gone onto the big screen and played in such movies as “Apollo 13.” Grasso says being in the Gillespie pageants has taught her not to settle but go for the dreams you have as a child.