By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

TEN candidates have joined this year’s Miss Teen Marianas pageant and the winner will compete in a national competition in Chicago this summer.
Pageant organizer Stellar Marianas yesterday presented the contestants to the media during a press conference at the DFS Galleria in Garapan.
Six are students at Marianas High School: Alexandria David, 14; Kayla Atalig, 14; Ruby Somorang, 14; Chrislaine Lely, 16; Maggie Aldan, 16; and Vinae Deleon Guerrero, 16.
The other candidates are Kagman High School’s Jessel Mesa and Yvette Bennett, both 16; Quina Mendiola, 16, of Tinian Junior and High School; and Northern Marianas College student Heather Calderwood, 17.
Bennett, who is the younger sister of reigning Miss Marianas Universe Shequitta Bennett, said her determination to become a beauty queen was influenced by her seeing the Miss Universe pageant in Los Angeles where her sister competed.
Calderwood, who was among the contestants in last year’s local Miss Teen competition, said she expects to learn even more from this year’s pageant.
“Last year, I learned so much from the competition. It helped build my confidence…and I think I need a lot more improvements in myself,” Calderwood said.
The candidates say they want to meet new friends and gain valuable experience through the pageant.
“I would like to represent my island in the competition…and want to get involved in more community activities in the CNMI,” Tinian’s Quina Mendiola said.
The coronation night for the local pageant is slated for March 31 at the Nikko Hotel while the pre-pageant or talent competition will be held on March 23.
Stellar Marianas president Laila Y. Boyer said candidates will compete in four categories including fun fashion, fitness, evening gown, and the question-and-answer portion.
Besides pictorials, a slumber party and various community activities, the candidates will put on a fashion show at the Street Market on March 8 in celebration of International Women’s Day. The event will be sponsored by Pena Boutique, one of the pageant sponsors.
“They will design their own outfits to show their creativity and originality which is the objective we want to achieve in the fun fashion category,” Boyer said. “In the fitness category, each of them has to show how fit and healthy they are and they will show their grace and beauty when they compete in the evening gown category.”
From 10 contestants, the number will be narrowed to the final five who will then be given the same final question.
“That’s what makes the pageant this year different — one final question will be asked of the top candidates. And whoever wins the title will undergo intensive training in preparation for the Miss Teen USA pageant in July,” Boyer said.
This will be the second year that the CNMI will be sending a delegate to the national pageant.
Boyer said they want this year’s title holder to place emphasis on community involvement.
“It’s a highly competitive environment and we want our titleholder to learn how to speak on issues that are important to youth…she has to have an individual platform,” Boyer said, adding that Stellar Marianas is seeking an “intelligent, beautiful, confident, and responsible young woman who will represent the CNMI as its teen ambassador.”
The pageant’s other sponsors are Northwest Airlines, the Marianas Visitor Authority, Marpac, Genoveva’s Salon, DFS, Triple J Motors, Shell Marianas, Younis Arts Studio, PC Outlet CNMI, Island Floral & Gift, Power 99, Hotel Nikko Saipan and Aquarius Beach Tower.