As 2007-08 Miss West Virginia’s Outstanding Teen Courtney Nelson prepares for her senior year and works towards becoming the next Miss West Virginia for the Miss American pageant, she recalls her once-in-a-lifetime pageant experience that all began the day after her 16th birthday.
On June 16, 2007, Nelson was named Miss West Virginia’s Outstanding Teen at the Metropolitan Theatre in Morgantown where she began her anti-tobacco amongst teen campaign that led her to speak to middle school students all across the state while singing at countless events, speaking to civic groups and meeting celebrities and state political figures.
Returning to the Metropolitan Theatre this past weekend, Nelson gave her crown to Morgantown native Bethany Lojewsky, who will serve as Miss West Virginia’s Outstanding Teen for the 2008-09 year, promoting diabetes awareness.
Nelson’s highlights in her year holding the crown include competing in the National Miss Outstanding Teen competition in Orlando Florida last July as well as traveling to Las Vegas to watch Miss America Lauren Nelson live on stage, the same pageant winner who hosted the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen Pageant.
“All the contestants got VIP badges,” said Nelson. “My proudest moment was when I walked down the aisle as Miss West Virginia’s Outstanding Teen holding the stage flag and representing my state.”
While there, Nelson and her fellow crown-holders practiced and performed the Broadway hit “Hairspray” — an event she’ll never forget.
“We rehearsed 5-8 hours a day on that,” said Nelson. “It was a really exhausting week but when we got on stage in front of thousands and thousands of people it was really worth it. “
In Las Vegas, Nelson supported Miss West Virginia Summer Wyatt and met many famous people.
“I met Calvin Klein model Joshua Madden,” said Nelson, who added that he plays Susan Lucci’s son on the soap opera All My Children. “I also met Dexter Manley, defensive end for the Washington Redskins, Kellye Cash, Johnny Cash’s niece and American Idol’s Sanjaya Malakar.”
The biggest perk to attending this event, said Nelson, was walking across the Miss American stage and having her picture taken.
For next year, Nelson plans on competing for the title of Miss West Virginia in the Miss American pageant, a title that requires all contestants to be at least 17 years of age and a senior in high school.
Nelson just turned 17 on June 17 and is considering changing her platform from teen anti-tobacco to anti-bullying amongst children.
“I’m thinking about changing my platform to something that involves bullying because it is closer to my heart than anti-tobacco,” said Nelson, who said she experienced bullying as a child. “It hurts me to see kids who are overweight or who are different be made fun of. I’m hoping by speaking to children it will make them not want to judge one another and bring their confidence up. I’m hoping it will make them realize they don’t have to be football players or cheerleaders to fit in, but to just be themselves.”
LaDonnia Nelson, Courtney’s mom, says the Miss American pageant is a scholarship organization for young women that promotes positive, healthy role models and is a great organization that presents countless scholarships.
“It is free to start, there is no entry fee into the Miss American pageant,” said Nelson, who added that to just enter into the Miss USA pageant it costs a staggering $999. “This year, we are going to try to speak to Keyser High School and Frankfort High School to let the girls know you don’t have to have a lot of money to do this. If have a dress, you can do this.”
Nelson won $8,000 for being named Miss West Virginia’s Outstanding Teen.
There are, however, several other scholarships awarded to participants who compete.
Nelson plans to finish up her senior year and attend either Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore or Oklahoma University and major in vocal performance upon graduation from Keyser High School in 2009.
“I had a wonderful year as Miss West Virginia’s Outstanding Teen. I’m looking forward to competing in the Miss West Virginia pageant,” said Nelson, who added that in order to compete she must win Miss Eastern Panhandle or another pageant within the state. “Quoting a message my grandmother wrote in my card, ‘You have to give up the little crown to win the big crown.’”