Teens literally kicked the production up a notch during their lifestyle and fitness number. Between jumping jacks, push ups, and aerobics, the young women demonstrated their dedication to staying fit. So much so, in fact, that judges awarded two preliminary scholarship winners for this portion of the competition Wednesday.
The winners of $500 scholarships for lifestyle and fitness were Miss Michigan's Outstanding Teen Julia Smith and Miss Alabama's Outstanding Teen Jessica Procter. To get ready for the fitness competition, Julia said she practiced dancing five hours a day and mixed cardio workouts into her routine. She also believes healthy eating is the main part of an overall wellness plan. She loves eating strawberries and watermelon as afternoon snacks. As a long-time gymnast, Jessica said she had to change up her workout routine due to a knee injury. Now, she's throwing herself into pole vaulting, which is a little scary, but "really fun, I promise!" she said. Her favorite afternoon snack is almonds.
Judges chose Miss Rhode Island's Outstanding Teen Heather Shen as Wednesday night's recipient of the on-stage question and evening wear scholarship. Looking stunning in her fitted, floor-length emerald gown, Jessica's on-stage question asked what she thinks is the biggest challenge for teen girls that are beginning to date. In her opinion, it's "finding the right guy! Boys can be silly, and you have to search to find him, but when you do, you've got to keep him!" she said. The on-stage question and evening wear competition accounts for twenty percent of contestants' overall score.
Accounting for thirty-five percent of the overall score, the talent competition preliminary scholarship was awarded to Miss Oklahoma's Outstanding Teen Ashten Vincent. Her vocal performance to Bring Him Home struck a chord with judges, and is close to the hearts of Ashten and her family. "My dad is in the military, so Bring Him Home has a special meaning to me, my mom, and my brothers," she said.
Many contestants served their communities this year and thus qualified for various degrees of the Duke of Edinburgh Awards. Those who received the bronze award Wednesday night were Outstanding Teen state titleholders from Alabama, California, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee. Miss Massachusettes' Outstanding Teen was awarded a silver award, and Miss South Carolina's Outstanding Teen received the gold award.
New this year, the Random Acts of Kindness award acknowledged the importance of paying it forward every day. Miss Texas' Outstanding Teen Sheridan Donevant received the award and a $500 scholarship from an anonymous donor.
Those state titleholders who qualified for the Teens in Action award include teens from Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Tennessee. The top two finalists, who will be announced following the final production Saturday night, will each be awarded $500 scholarships.
Congratulations to all preliminary winners so far! To read more about Tuesday night preliminary winners, click here. Stay tuned for more updates and award winners this week!
Written by: Erika Rose is fourpoints magazine's staff writer.