Local to Compete for Miss Rhode Island Teen USA

senior, Jennifer Cary is a member of the student council and captain of the Envirothon team, but she's looking to add one more title to her repertoire - Miss Rhode Island Teen USA.

Jennifer has never before competed in a pageant but after hearing about the opportunity from friends, she decided to give it a go.

"My friends told me about it and it sounded like fun and a great experience," she said. "In June I sent a picture and some basic info, had a telephone interview and two days later I found out that I had been accepted as an official contestant." 

This year's pageant, consisting of contestants ages 14-19 will be held September 8 and 9 at the Rhode Island Center for the Performing Arts and will include three adjudicated categories. The Interview category demonstrates communication skills, Evening Wear demonstrates poise, elegance and confidence and the Swimsuit category exhibits overall fitness.

The winner of the Miss Rhode Island Teen USA will receive a $45,600 scholarship to Lindenwood University in St. Charles, MO, various cash prizes, jewelry and accessories, clothing, beauty treatments including salon, dental and self-tanning, fitness and interview training sessions, photo sessions, Dunkin Donuts Center concert tickets, various dining gift certificates and more.

She will also spend the year working with organizations such as Best Buddies, D.A.R.E, Sparrow Clubs, Project Sunshine, Girl Talk and Big Sisters of Rhode Island.

In the past, Jennifer has personally volunteered at Angels on Horseback and 's summer reading program. She has also turtored at .

If she wins the title, Jennifer said that she would also like to include environmental volunteering in her schedule as well. She refers to herself as a "passionate environmentalist" and is considering attending the University of Maine or McGill University in Montreal to continue her studies.

In order to participate in the pageant, Jennifer must submit a $795 sponsorship fee, along with travel, wardrobe and beauty costs. During her fund-raising process, Jennifer has been requesting sponsorships from local businesses and will be hosting an event on August 26 from 1-6 p.m. at . There will be a $5 cover fee that will go towards her pageant costs, and will include live music and raffles.

Checks can also be written to Miss Rhode Island Teen USA with "Jennifer Cary" in the memo line. Sponsorships are tax-deductible and sponsors will have their names listed in the pageant booklet. Sponsorships can also be paid for at the official pageant website, http://www.missrhodeislandusa.com/rhodeisland_payment.html.

"I am so grateful for any sponsorships that I receive - anything helps," said Jennifer. "I'm really looking forward to this experience and I'm excited to meet the other contestants and work on my communication skills and self confidence."