Valley students enjoy success at national pageants

A Wasilla girl was selected to represent Alaska at the 2003 Miss Teen All American Pageant, which will be held July 31-Aug. 3 at the Hilton Miami Airport in Florida.

Siera Coyne, the daughter of O'Neal and Wendy Coyne, was chosen from applicants to compete with young women from around the country at the pageant.

Coyne attended Wasilla Middle School and will be a freshman at Wasilla High School this fall.

Coyne said she enjoys fishing, camping, swimming, riding snowmachines and spending time with family.

She also helps with fund-raisers for the Back Country Avalanche Awareness and Response Team.

The Miss Teen American 2003 winner will receive lots of prizes, including $5,000 cash, jewelry, a personal wardrobe, luggage, cosmetics and a personal appearance contract. But the experience is even more rewarding, organizers said.

Each contestant, regardless of how they place, gets the opportunity to interview with people in the television and film industries, as well as modeling agencies.

Former contestants include actresses Halle Berry, Tonya Walker and Gina Tognoni; Debbie Jams and Symba Smith, Star Search winners; and Jenna Edwards, a philanthropist seen on Oprah and in the pages of People magazine.

Thirteen Alaskans headed to Dallas during the Fourth of July Week to compete in the All Star Beauty and Talent Competition, and six brought home national titles

Out of hundred of youth competing for the prestigious title of "Overall talent," Colby Nielsen of Palmer amazed the crowd and the judges with his tapping and tumbling routine to "Footloose." Nielsen scored third for overall and won his 13- to 15-year-old age division.

For his age division, he also was tops in formal wear, most handsome, model of the day and photogenic. He is a sophomore at Palmer High School.

The 2002 reigning beauty, Bridgette Nielsen, of Palmer, was only allowed to compete in the photogenic categories which she won. She did not get to crown her sister Shanelle Nielsen, but Shanelle Nielsen did win portfolio, formal wear and casual wear.

In the 10-12 year age division, Jazmin Smith of Anchorage and Shaylaree Nielsen of Palmer placed first and second in their age division. Jazmin also won best interview, model of the day and first alternate in 10-12 talent. Shaylaree won portfolio and casual wear awards.

For the 7-9 year old boys, Caleb Nielsen of Palmer won his age group for Alaska. For his retro look, he wore Patriotic colors right down to his blue hippy wig and danced to a disco mix. Caleb also won best interview, photogenic, model of the day, evening wear and casual wear.

For the children ages 4 and older, Michelle Nielsen of Palmer won "Mom of the Year" and Vanessa Smith, Anchorage, was the "Mom of the Year" for the age 0 to 47 months.