Teens eye Miss Boulder City crown

Contestants prepare for upcoming pageant

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Miss Boulder City hopefuls and their parents packed the Treasured Times Teahouse, scheduled to open Wednesday on California Avenue, last weekend to kick off the annual pre-pageant activities.

The girls picked up their registration packets on March 11, selected placement numbers, were given sponsors if they didn't have one, took possession of 100 raffle tickets -- all the proceeds go toward the girls and their scholarship -- and learned all about the hectic schedule that awaits them in the coming weeks.

The event, slated for May 20 at Boulder City High School, will conclude a whirlwind day for some of the girls since it's a very busy time of the scholastic and sports year. On the same day, state finals are being held for women's track and field and swimming.

"There was a whole lot of debate as to what weekend would work," said Dawn Green, secretary and fundraising chairman of the scholarship pageant, who mentioned city events and dance recitals were being held the same day. "We were not trying to be unfair to any group and we tried to consider all these things. At the time (we made up the schedule) we didn't have the track and field and swim dates. We had to pick a day we could use the auditorium."

Some of the girls reviewed their packet's contents, which included a judging criteria breakdown sheet that indicated 30 percent of their point total went for talent and 20 percent each for their application/essay and gown.

Ten percent of their points will go toward participation at events, their photo and articulation and delivery of an answer to one of 25 potential questions that will remain a mystery until pageant night when they're on the stage.

"This is going to be the biggest pageant Boulder City has ever seen," said Pageant Director Aileen Guerrissi as she described the first activity -- this weekend's volunteer clean-up day at the Southern Nevada Railroad Museum. "We know you're all busy or you wouldn't be running for this, so we want everybody to do it. If you realize your schedule won't allow for you to participate in some things, let us know by April 1, our photo shoot day, so we can work things out the best we can."

Last year's Miss Boulder City, 18-year-old Boulder High senior Courtney Cattoir, said she's had a good reign.

"It's been a really great time and I'm honored to have represented Boulder City and attend a lot of cool events," said Cattoir, who will enter UNLV this fall and take general studies courses in hopes of becoming a professional dancer on the Strip. "I've ridden in the Christmas and Fourth of July parades, attended the Christmas tree lighting and I'm going to be on BCTV, but the (Dam Short) Film Festival was the most fantastic thing so far."

She said the easiest part of her competition was the talent portion where she played the cello, but the hardest part was the question.

"I was really nervous. The question was, 'Why is it important being a role model in Boulder City?' but I don't remember my answer."

Before saying farewell, Cattoir will dance a lyrical number, which is a mix of jazz dancing and ballet, to contemporary music that should come easy to her since she's a 15-year product of Miss Amy's Dance, Etc. studio.

One of the contestants who waited around long enough to be asked why they wanted to be in the pageant was Nicole Harris.

"I want to be in it because it's an experience now that I couldn't do before," said Harris, a 15-year-old sophomore who's entering the competition for the first time. "And, besides, I've always wanted to be in a pageant."

The pageant is only open to current residents of Boulder City and each girl must be in grades 9-12 during the 2005-2006 school year.

Several contestants have been put on academic probation within the pageant, due to grades below a 3.0 grade-point average, which is the requirement to participate in the event.