Local miss competes for Miss Pre-Teen Phoenix title

Maricopa Saddleback Elementary School fourth grader Bethany Hensley learned Monday that she has been selected to participate in the Nationals, Inc. 2009 Miss Pre-Teen Phoenix pageant competition on Sunday, March 15, at the El Zaribah Shrine Auditorium in Phoenix.

Hensley, who is 10 years old, was selected on the basis of her application and an interview with the pageant coordinator.

She will be competing in the Miss Pre-Teen division, one of four categories for contestants between the ages of 7 and 19, who will model both casual and formal wear.
Thousands of dollars in prize money and various specialty gifts will be distributed to pageant contestants.

Hensley will get a chance to display her personality and interviewing skills with the judging panel. Personality is the primary aspect contestants are judged on during all phases of the competition.

The new Miss Pre-Teen Phoenix would represent Phoenix and its surrounding communities at the Cities of America National Competition in Orlando, Fla., where over $60,000 in prizes will be awarded. Each contestant at the national competition receives an all-expense paid trip to Orlando for five nights and six days.

Hensley will be sponsored by local businesses, community organizations and private individuals; there is no cost to the contestants themselves. Sponsorships provide all the necessary training, rehearsals and financial support for contestants to prepare for the Phoenix pageant. Any business, group or individual interested in becoming an official sponsor for Bethany should contact Patty Neidert, pageant coordinator, at (800) 569-2487.

Submitted photo