By Vanessa Manual
The Miss Carbon County Outstanding Teen Save Me a Spark event took place at the Carbon County Event Center on Saturday evening.
Contestants had an eight-minute interview with the judges before the competition. Judges were individuals who had outstanding accomplishments throughout their lives. Each contestant had to prepare a platform and explain that platform as part of the competition.
The seven contestants competed in lifestyle and fitness, talent, and evening wear competitions as well as an onstage question. Each category would determine the next Miss Carbon County Outstanding Teen. Throughout the show, there were various performances from dance companies in the local area.
The seven contestants were Amberia Mena, Yeraldy Bustillos, Anya Mascarenas, Makinzey Cross, Ashley Leautaud, Victoria Nelson and Brianna Farish. Before crowning the winner, a slideshow was played to reflect on former royalty members Mikelle Monson and Madison Burrola throughout their reign. After that, Monson and Burrola took their last walk as Miss Carbon County Outstanding Teen and Miss Southeastern Utah Outstanding Teen, respectively.
Victoria Nelson, with the platform D.R.E.A.M (Don’t Run Embrace Autism Matters) and whose talent was pointe dancing, was crowned the new Miss Carbon County Outstanding Teen 2017. Nelson was presented the crown and sash by both Monson and Burrola.
The first runner up was Ashley Leautaud with the platform No One’s Forgotten. Second runner up was Yeraldy Bustillos with the platform Celebrating Cultural Diversity.
The outstanding teen program places emphasis on scholastic achievements, community service, style and individual success of young women across Utah.
