9 to compete for Miss Auburn Outstanding Teen crown Jan. 22

Nine contestants will vie for the crown in the inaugural Miss Auburn Outstanding Teen Pageant on Jan. 22.

The program, "Peace, Love, Pink," will begin at 7 p.m. at Mountainview High School Theatre, located at 28900 124th Ave. SE. Doors will open at 6 p.m.

Miss Washington’s Outstanding Teen Victoria Renard, Miss Auburn Hayley McJunkin and the Auburn Dance Academy Extreme Dance Team will perform.

The teen pageant is an extension of the Miss Auburn Scholarship Pageant, considered one of the largest and most successful programs in the country.

The new teen program offers girls between the ages of 13 and 17 the chance to compete for the crown and awards amounting to $3,120 while earning a berth in the Miss Washington’s Outstanding Teen Pageant on May 28-29 at the Auburn Performing Arts Center.

The state teen program is affiliated with the Miss America organization.

Contestants in the Miss Auburn Outstanding Teen Pageant will perform in several categories, including interviews, talent, physical fitness and evening wear.

Tickets are $25. Seating is available through www.brownpapertickets.com/event/143146 or by calling Kathy Lewis at 253-223-2736.

For more information, visit www.missauburn.org.

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THE CONTESTANTS

Haylee Engelhardt

• Hometown: Black Diamond

• Education: Thunder Mountain Middle School

• Platform issue: Empowering the Homeless

• Talent: Jazz Dance to “Blue Moon”

Abigael Holmberg

• Hometown: Auburn

• Education: Auburn High School (sophomore)

• Platform issue: The African Water Project

• Talent: Violin, “Canon in D”

Matlyn Knott

• Hometown: Auburn

• Education: Auburn High School (freshman)

• Platform issue: Recognizing the signs and preventing arthritis

• Talent: Pop vocal, “A Thousand Miles” Vanessa Carlton

Jacky Kingsada

• Hometown: Auburn

• Education: Auburn Riverside High

• Platform issue: Prevention of Diabetes and Obesity

• Talent: Singing “Halo” by Beyonce

Gabrielle Lane

• Hometown: Auburn

• Education: Auburn High School (sophomore)

• Platform issue: Instilling Confidence in Young Girls

• Talent: Flute performance, “Over the Rainbow"

Naomi Moore

• Hometown: Auburn

• Education: Cascade Middle School (eighth grade)

• Platform issue: Teen Depression

• Talent: Rhythmic gymnastics, “Pink Panther”

Georgia Riffle

• Hometown: Auburn

• Education: Auburn Mountainview High school

• Platform issue: Teen Driving Awareness

• Talent: Lyrical dance, “Happy”

Alyssa Schnell

• Hometown: Maple Valley

• Education: Tahoma Junior High (ninth grade)

• Platform issue: Second Chances: Giving Homeless Women and Children Hope

• Talent: Lyrical Dance, “Mama”

Anna Zuniga

• Hometown: Auburn

• Education: Auburn Mountainview High (freshman)

• Platform issue: The Power of ONE

• Talent: Singing “Stuck Like Glue” by Sugarland

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