Life as a beauty queen? It's hit-and-Miss

Austin student learning her role as Miss Texas Teen USA.
By Matthew Obernauer

AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Friday, January 06, 2006

On a mild midday in December, Raevan Valadez, decked out casually in a sleeveless print shirt and khaki pants, sat quietly in a meeting room at the Round Rock Public Library with a tiara and sash at the ready.

Around her, assembled members of the Rotary Club, who were there to eat, share news and hear from Valadez about her reign as Miss Texas Teen USA.

Raevan Valadez was a relative newcomer to the pageant business, winning the Austin title and the state title only a year after first participating. Valadez said the inexperience was a boon: 'They wanted a typical teenager.'

Public appearances are part of the 'job' for Miss Texas Teen USA Raevan Valadez. Valadez, 17, was talking with Round Rock Rotary Club member Joe Knapp during a club meeting last month. The high school senior, who was crowned in November, received more than $100,000 in prizes.

In advance of her pageants this year, Valadez has enlisted the help of a personal trainer, with whom she worked out three times a week, and an interview coach. She will continue to work with them, she said, in preparation for the nationally televised Miss Teen USA pageant in August.

Her new title has not gone unnoticed at St. Michael's, and few will let her forget it.

"One of my teachers, the first day I get back (from the pageant), he starts singing the 'Miss America' theme song. The attendance person at our school . . . he calls me 'Queenie,' " she said.

"I get my fair share of ridicule because of the pageant. My brother says he's losing me to the Dark Side."

For the full story: http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/01/6valadez.html

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes