Miss Teen USA 2004... Star Power To Spare

A celebrity-studded lineup gives the competition must-see status and puts winner Shelley Catherine Hennig at the top of our “Idol” list.

The Top 10 luxuriate in the spotlight just prior to the Swimwear competition.

Turning up the heat in the desert oasis of host city Palm Springs, California, 51 of America’s brightest and beautiful teens arrived to determine who would leave with the title and accompanying perks of Miss Teen USA, one of three jewels of the Miss Universe Organization. From coast to coast, the live event on NBC would choose one young lady from throughout the country in a dramatic display of winner-takes-all. Which teen could capture a national viewing audience’s imagination with a combination of great looks, put-you-at-ease personality, charisma to burn, and 100 percent natural telegenic appeal? This is pressure that most teens, let alone adults, will never experience nor appreciate—the finality of the competition as the final credits roll.

THE COUNTDOWN CONTINUES — Appearing in evening gowns of their choice are (L-R) Amanda Williams, Sonya Balmores, Shelley Hennig, Henen Salas, and Tiffany Stroud.

Returning to Palm Springs, long the playground of Hollywood’s most glamorous celebrities, the excitement of the event bounded forth within a video montage of the delegates introducing themselves. As the cameras swung back into the live telecast, the theater erupted as the audience again met each representative in her live presentation. With the introduction of the evening’s host and hostess, Tony Potts of Access Hollywood and Miss Teen USA 1998 and host of MTV’s Total Request Live Vanessa Minnillo, Miss Teen USA welcomed her reigning queen to center stage, Miss Teen USA 2003 Tami Farrell. As a prime role model for this generation of teens, Tami was featured at the top of the show in a video biography highlighting her cross-country travels that raised $21 million for charity—the most of any Miss Teen USA. In explaining her year and the impact she has had on others, Tami ventured, “It’s kind of fun to do the impossible,” voicing a favorite quote that she shared earlier this year in her Pageantry magazine exclusive “Miss Teen USA BLOG” [Fall 2004 issue, page 42].

Shelley is elated as Miss Teen USA 2003 Tami Farrell crowns her as Miss Teen USA 2004.

With the palpable tension and anxiety of the audience and contestants apparent, the announcement of the Top 15 would begin the countdown to the crowning moment. Amidst the screams of surprise and jubilation, Miss Teen Georgia Brooke Calhoun, Miss Teen New Jersey Rachael Carrollo, Miss Teen Hawaii Sonya Balmores, Miss Teen Missouri Alissa Marie Reitmeier, Miss Teen Alabama Terra Moody, Miss Teen New York Catherine Ashley Muldoon, Miss Teen Louisiana Shelley Catherine Hennig, Miss Teen Texas Magen Ellis, Miss Teen Maryland Amanda Williams, Miss Teen Nevada Helen Marie Salas, Miss Teen Tennessee Tiffany Stroud, Miss Teen South Carolina Lindsey Catherine Sporrer, Miss Teen North Dakota Breanna Ranae Abernathy, Miss Teen Nebraska Meagan Winings, and Miss Teen Minnesota Allison Katheryn Arling exhaled a collective sigh of relief at having survived the preliminary competitions, and excitedly took the center-stage spotlight. All knew this was the culmination of their hard work and dreams, and that one of the remaining competitions might be their last.

With the lead-in of former ’N Sync member JC Chasez performing his new single “Build My World,” the 15 finalists took to the stage in the Evening Gown competition. Set against a contemporary kaleidoscopic stage design accented in blue and purple hues, the Evening Gown presentation showcased the elegance and grace residing within each young woman. Sophisticated, yet demure, the presentation and accompanying orchestral string instrumental—featuring the prevailing fashion desires of today’s teen, from couture to classic ballgown—was superb, as each Miss Teen USA delegate’s individual personality was reflected in her choice of evening gown.

ABUNDANT ENERGY — Miss Teen USA 2004 contestants perform a dance routine for their opening number.

In deference to the reality of the event and live TV, the evening would come to an end for five contestants, leaving only 10 representatives to continue their journey. Elation or disappointment would be the overwhelming emotions surfacing as each name was announced. Proceeding into the next phase of competition would be: Tiffany Stroud (age 16, TN), Rachael Carrollo (age 17, NJ), Terra D. Moody (age 18, AL), Meagan Winings (age 18, NE), Catherine Ashley Muldoon (age 18, NY), Shelley Catherine Hennig (age 17, LA), Helen Marie Salas (age 18, NV), Sonya Balmores (age 18, HI), Allison Katheryn Arling (age 18, MN), and Amanda Williams (age 18, MD). Who were these young ladies and what did they represent? As the finalists beamed onstage and readied for the next competition, personal vignettes were broadcast with each delegate, in her own words, commenting on her everyday life, goals, and desires.

With R&B artist Brandy revving up the audience with her special performance of “Who Is She 2 U,” the delegates were ready for the up-tempo world-beat music and fast-paced Swimwear competition as they took to the stage in matching two-piece swimsuits. With the eyes of a nation watching, along with a panel of judges, each contestant made her statement for a commitment to a healthy lifestyle as she acknowledged the approving applause of the audience. Only five would make the cut. But before announcing the final five who would advance, two special awards were recognized: Miss Congeniality was awarded to Miss North Dakota Breanna Abernathey, and Miss Arkansas Sarah French took the Miss Photogenic, as voted on by NBC’s web site visitors.

ENTERTAINING LINEUP — During their appearances, JC Chasez (L) and Brandy (R) introduced cuts from their brand-new CD releases.

Feeling the pressure increase with their advancement were the representatives of Nevada, Louisiana, Maryland, Hawaii, and Tennessee. Not only did they have the opportunity to field questions from Tony Potts and Vanessa Minnillo, but in a final quest, each would answer a final question as submitted by one of her sister finalist or Miss Teen USA 2003 Tami Farrell. Without the benefit of preparation, they provided impromptu and honest answers to questions such as: what was their favorite book, and why (The Great Gatsby); whether choice, chance, or destiny determined their future (choice); what was the greatest weakness or temptation facing teens (peer pressure); what would be the first thing they would do if elected President (jokingly work with the FDA to ban french fries), and was technology taking away childrens’ ability to be creative (no).

With a final look at the remaining contestants and the final walk of Miss Teen USA Tami Farrell complete, all that remained was “The moment we’ve all been waiting for,” as spoken by Vanessa Minnillo —the order of finish and the crowning of the new Miss Teen USA. In reverse order of finish, the Top 5 recognition began: Fourth Runner-up, Miss Tennessee Teen USA 2004 Tiffany Stroud; Third Runner-up, Miss Maryland Teen USA 2004 Amanda Williams; and Second Runner-up, Miss Nevada Teen USA 2004 Helen Marie Salas.

Shelley is mobbed by her fellow contestants.

As the two remaining finalists doubted their readiness for the final two announcements, the life of one young teen was about to change. As the first runner-up position was announced as Miss Hawaii Sonya Balmores (who would assume the duties of Miss Teen USA 2004 if the titleholder for some reason cannot fulfill her responsibilities), Shelley Henning, former Miss Teen Louisiana, emotionally realized that, for her, the quest had culminated in victory. As Miss Teen USA 2004, she had conquered the tremendous pressures of live competition and been rewarded as such. With her family and hometown friends jubilantly celebrating in the aisles, Shelley Hennig, Miss Teen USA 2004, began a new journey with her first walk on stage, accepting the congratulations of the audience as she was ceremoniously surrounded by her sister delegates.