Island Dreamgirls: 2007 Miss Marianas Teen Contestants

By Bernard Rivera
Variety Teen Reporter

Just like how the recent Oscar-nominated movie, “Dream Girls” proves that there is more than glitz and glamour to every show, MV Teen goes behind the scenes to see the hard work and determination that makes one a 2007 Miss Marianas Teen pageant contestant.
Nine of the ten teenage contestants from the islands of Saipan and Tinian listen intently to Bel Tan, a personal trainer and group exercise instructor at Gold’s Gym Saipan, teaching them the steps of the fitness competition routine last Saturday.
Jessel Mesa, Heather Calderwood, Kayla Atalig, Chrislaine Lely, Yvette Bennett, Maggie Aldan, Ruby Somorang, Alexandria Davis, Quina Mendiola and Vinae Deleon Guerrero are this year’s contestants, creating a melting pot of ethnicities and cultures.
So far, the ten beauties have been rehearsing every weekend at Gold’s Gym Saipan for over two months, attended public speaking and media interviewing sessions, team building exercises, make-up and hair training by Genoveva’s, had a Slumber Party at Aquarius Beach Towers, performed an International Women’s Day fashion show by Pena House Boutique, participated in an Empowerment Mirenda with women leaders sponsored by Hotel Nikko Saipan, and several photo sessions and video filming with modeling tips from MHS Productions.
In a nutshell, they have been pretty busy.
In the frenzy leading up to the pageant, organized by the non-profit group Stellar Marianas, the young women have to be able to keep their goals in mind, be focused and prepared.
“I want everything. I want this, and when I’m older, I want to be Miss Marianas Universe, then Miss Universe, baby!” smiles Vinae Deleon Guerrero, a 16-year-old junior at Marianas High School.
“You know what, I may not fit the whole look of pageant queens, but I’m trying my best. I have the swagger and everything along that it comes with—bring it on,” she laughs.
For 16 year old MHS junior Alex Davis, she accepts the nervousness that comes with competition, but is just as confident as well.
“I am pretty nervous, I tell myself to be prepared and to just have fun. I always do the same things over and over again, that’s why I did this competition—I wanted to do something new in my life. I want this experience to live with me forever,” said Davis.
“I don’t know about the others, but if they think that I’m just another girl they can put to the side, they got a whole thing coming,” she grins. “I’m not girl that gives up, no where near that..”
17 year-old Northern Marianas College student Heather Calderwood believes her strength is in her originality and her willingness to try again.
“People often ask me why I decided to compete again this year, and I tell them that the real question is how I want to be a real role model that says one should never give up. You stand up, and go at it once more until it’s yours,” said Calderwood.
“I want to be in the position where I can give back to the community. One of my dreams is to be the first Miss Marianas Tee who is a ballroom dancer,” she smiles.
Tinian born Quina Mendiola, a sophomore at the Tinian High School, has one dream that she won’t make disappear without a fight.
“My dream is to be the first Tinian girl to win this competition,” said Mendiola. “I know I’m all by myself, but in retrospect, I know in my heart that my family and all of the people of Tinian are right behind me 100%.”
As for the three other MHS students, they are taking the biggest steps of their life.
MHS juniors Maggie Aldan and Chrislaine Lely and freshman Kayla Atalig are in for one wild ride.
“I know for a fact that I just might be the most shyest, and not really in the girly girl department, but that’s what’s unique. That is what I feel separates me from all the rest. I’m wonderful that way,” said Lely.
Aldan says that she stands out with class and poise. “Sure all these girls are great and have something that makes them click in their own individual way. But when I see myself, I feel special knowing that my height is what separates me from all of these girls,” laughs Aldan. “I think I just might be the shortest one here.”
As the youngest of the group, 14 year-old Kayla Atalig says success comes from hard work.
“I feel the willingness to succeed is basically to work hard. I won’t stop until the results are how I want them to be. Dreams come true when you work for it,” she said.
Perhaps the one who feels a great deal of pressure is KHS sophomore Yvette Bennett, whose older sister, Shequita DLG. Bennett is the reigning Miss Marianas Universe.
“I know that my sister won and I know that she was incredibly great. The thing that so many people do not know is that I always dreamed of being in one of these glamour pageants,” said Bennett.
“Win or lose, I want make myself happy. I want to feel beautiful, independent, and strong as a woman in this world,” she said.
On Friday, March 23rd at the Multi-Purpose Center is where the 2007 Miss Marianas Teen Talent Show will be held from 6pm to 8 pm. Tickets will be $10 a piece.
From singing, dancing, cooking, to performing mixed martial arts, the Talent show will be a “spectacular display of the talent and energy from each of the contestants,” says Stellar Marianas president Laila Y. Boyer.
On Saturday, March 24th, the young women will be put to the test during the Personal Interview Competition at the MHS PREL Center.
On Saturday, March 31st at the Hotel Nikko Saipan Theater Hall from 6 pm to 10 pm is when the 2007 Miss Marianas Teen Pageant will be held. Doors will open at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $15 advance and $20 at the door. Both the Talent and Pageant tickets are available at Marianas Variety and Genoveva’s Hair Power.
This year’s sponsors include Triple J Motors, Younis Art Studio, Inc., Marianas Visitors Authority, Pena House Boutique, Ponds, Dove and Suave, Genoveva’s Hair Power, Power 99 FM, Pualani, DFS Galleria, Tinian Dynasty, Aquarius Beach Towers, Gold’s Gym Saipan, Island Florals & Gifts, Sporticca, PTI International, PC Outlet CNMI and Glimpses of Saipan.