By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

ONE of the two youngest contenders in this year’s Miss Marianas Teen pageant won the title on Saturday night at Hotel Nikko Saipan.
Fourteen-year-old Kayla Dee Atalig, a freshman at Marianas High School, bested nine other candidates during the four-hour coronation night at the hotel’s Theater Hall.
Atalig said she was “shocked.”
“I am overwhelmed and I didn’t expect to win!”
Atalig impressed the judges during the pageant’s question-and-answer segment.
She was asked to name her own talk show and the first topic that would be discussed.
“I would name my talk show ‘Opportunities Within’ and choices would be the first topic of discussion. I believe that in every individual’s life there are choices to be made. And we can achieve whatever dreams we have because of those choices,” she said.
In the final round for the top five, she was asked to choose between getting a grant for higher education or for addressing drug addiction.
“The way to help the CNMI is to promote a drug-free environment. I will assist (the Department of Public Safety) in its anti-drug and anti-violence campaigns to ensure a productive and positive community that will be beneficial to all,” she said.
Atalig is the daughter of Jesse and Tricia Seman.
Named runner-up was 16-year-old Vinae T. Sablan Deleon Guerrero, who also won the Miss Photogenic Award, the Best in Fun Fashion, and Texter’s Choice for garnering 70 percent of the text votes.
“I am so happy and relieved…it was a great experience and this is something I will cherish for life,” she told Variety, adding that each of the contenders deserved to win the title.
Also in the top five were 17-year-old Heather Calderwood who was named Miss Talent for her salsa number; Yvette Deleon Guerrero Bennett, 16, who topped the Best in Evening Gown Competition; and 16-year-old Quina Marie P. Mendiola from Tinian.
Jessel M. Mesa, 14, won the Stellar Star Award and was the pageant’s Miss Congeniality.
The other contestants were Chrislaine Lely, 16; Maggie V. Aldan, 16; Ruby R. Somorang, 14; and Alexandria J. Davis, 16.
Stellar Marianas president Laila Y. Boyer said this year’s pageant “was an extraordinary show.”
She added, “We’re really pleased with all of the candidates and we’re really excited about working with the new title holder. We’ll have lots of activities, here and off-island, for our new title holder.”
She said they will ask 2006 Miss Teen Marianas, Myana T. Welch, to join the Miss Universe Marianas pageant.
“She’ll be graduating and will enter college. Maybe when she comes back we can ask her to join the Miss Universe Marianas,” Boyer said.
The pageant’s five judges were Steve Nguyen of the Public School System, Triple J Motors’ Randy Steele, Garapan Elementary School’s Beatrice Tualatai, Assistant Public Defender Kelley Butcher and former Miss NMI Universe Tayna Belyeu-Camacho.
Masters of ceremonies were Youth Congress Speaker Matthew Deleon Guerrero and legal assistant Joana Simao Vitug.
Major sponsors included Dove, Younis Art Studio, the Marianas Visitors Authority, Pena House Boutique, Suave, Ponds, Hotel Nikko Saipan, Triple J Motors, Marpac, Genoveva’s Salon, PC Outlet, Glimpses, The Rock, PTI, DFS Galleria, Aquarius Hotel, Gold’s Gym, Island Florals & Gifts, Sporticca, Pualiani, and MHS Productions..