A New Maturity for ANTSO

The America’s National Teenager Scholarship Organization completes a smashing makeover in awarding its 2005 Senior and Junior titles in Nashville.

By Carl Dunn

NEW WAVE: An enthusiastic corps of state teen titleholders triumphantly reach for the sky in an on-stage dance number.

Live from Nashville, Tennessee, a new national director, new company logo, new national crown, new national scepter, new production company, and a new national attitude signaled the resounding new philosophy of the venerable America’s National Teenager Scholarship Organization on the national competition stage. But, a major component of the system that is not new within its 33-year history is the foundational commitment to excellence, both in academics and community service. Over 80 young ladies from coast-to-coast would compete for one of two national crowns, Miss National Teenager (ages 16-18) and Miss Junior National Teenager (ages 12-15).

As a true scholarship program, the judging consists of five categories: GPA 25 percent, School and Community Service 25 percent, Personal Interview 25 percent, Evening Gown with Onstage Interview 15 percent, and Personal Expression, which consisted of personally embellished jeans expressing her individuality, the final 10 percent. In deference to other competitions that also emphasize the talent of the young woman, optional categories of Essay and Talent were available. Intelligent, accomplished, beautiful, and community service commitment are the hallmarks of these future leaders. Two sets of delegates, two sets of judges… the stage was set for a memorable week of competition and sightseeing.

TOP 2: Miss National Teenager 2005 Amanda Birdsell and Miss National Junior Teenager 2005 Jena Sims (L-R) greet their adoring audience with smiles and waves.

With the preliminary personal interview segment and the analysis and verification of GPA (grade point average) and community service completed, 75 percent of the quest for the crown of America’s National Teenager was over. All that was left of preliminary competition would be the live competition before an audience of well-wishers and supporters in Evening Gown with Onstage Question and personal question. Thus completed, 15 goal-oriented young ladies within each division would continue to the final night competition.

From the packed James Polk Theater in the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, the final night competition was set to the appropriate refrain of “A Brand New Day.” Taking to the choreographed stage, the delegates in both divisions proudly beamed as the audience erupted with its approval with each delegate’s personal introduction. Soon enough, the field was winnowed from over 80 to 30 — 15 per division. Then, following each final competition in Evening Wear and Personal Expression, the delegates would be further reduced to 10 and then a final five, with one delegate from each division stepping forward to accept the crown of Miss National Junior Teenager and Miss National Teenager.

However, in keeping with the scholastic platform and history of the program, the audience and judges were treated to encore performances of the Junior and Senior Talent and Essay winners. Taking top honors in talent were Colorado Junior Teenager Tabitha Rooney and Arkansas Senior Teenager Holly Humphries. In Essay, limited to 150 words explaining her personal beliefs concerning “What it means to be an American,” Minnesota Junior Teenager Erica Wipperfurth and North Dakota Senior Teenager Tara Kraft evoked resolute sentiments of both personal pride and national patriotism.

TOP 5: Junior Division: (left, top row, L-R) 3rd R/U Sabrina Bryant and 4th R/U- Kristen Pettet; (bottom row, L-R) 1st R/U MacKenzie Shepherd, Winner Jena Sims, and 2nd R/U Bindhu Pamarthi. Top 5 Senior Division: (right, top row, L-R) 3rd R/U Brittany Ledbetter and 4th R/U Eve Ledbetter; (bottom row, L-R) 1st R/U Ashley Sobrinski, Winner Amanda Birdsell, and 2nd R/U Nicole Johnson.

Additionally, preliminary awards were presented in Casual Wear and Evening Gown along with People’s Choice and Miss Hospitality. Capturing Photogenic accolades were Georgia Junior Teenager Jena Sims and California Senior Teenager Nicole Johnson, while South Carolina Junior Teenager Summer Rayl and Oklahoma Senior Teenager Eve Ledbetter transcended to the popular title of Miss Congeniality.

Entertainment, showmanship, and performances having filled the evening, the audience and contestants awaited the judges’ final decisions on the titles being sought by these young women. With thunderous applause, each of the finalist were called forward to bask in the warm glow of their own achievement. The Junior division consisted of 4th Runner-up Miss New Jersey Kristen Pettet, 3rd Runner-up Miss Missouri Sabrina Bryant, 2nd Runner-up Miss North Carolina Bindhu Pamarthi, and 1st Runner-up Miss Oklahoma MacKenzie Shepherd. Completing the Senior Division were 4th Runner-up Miss Oklahoma Eve Ledbetter, 3rd Runner-up Miss Utah Brittany Ledbetter, 2nd Runner-up Miss California Nicole Johnson, and 1st Runner-up Miss New Jersey Ashley Sobrinski.

Oklahoma’s MacKenzie Shepherd shows her creative side in the Personal Expression segment.

Beginning her brand new year with the America’s National Teenager’s brand new philosophy and brand new outlook towards the future were the brand new Miss National Junior Teenager 2005 Jena Sims of Georgia and Miss National Teenager 2005 Amanda Birdsell of Massachusetts. Live from Nashville, the exciting week of America’s National Teenager had come to a close.