On to the national competition

By Nick Malawskey, Sentinel reporter, nmalawskey@lewistownsentinel.com

Elena LaQuatra is crowned Miss Pennsylvania Outstanding Teen by the 2006 Miss Pennsylvania Outstanding Teen Tawni Darby Friday in Nazareth. LaQuatra, who was representing the local area as Miss Central Pennsylvania Outstanding Teen now moves onto the national competition in August at Orlando Fla. LaQuatra was crowned during the Miss Pennsylvania Scholarship Pageant, at which Miss Greater Juniata Valley, Rachel Henry, placed in the top 10 overall. Photo submitted by JOHN METZGAR

LEWISTOWN — The hard work and preparation paid off for the one local representative of the Juniata Valley during the Miss Pennsylvania Competition this weekend.

While the older women where preparing for their final competition Saturday night at Nazareth Area High School, Elena LaQuatra, Miss Central Pennsylvania Outstanding Teen, was receiving the surprise of her week — the Miss Pennsylvania Outstanding Teen Crown.

“Honestly, I was just shocked,” LaQuatra said Sunday, following the exhausting week of competition.

The key, LaQuatra said, was maintaining her enthusiasm throughout the entire pageant.

“I was very happy with my interview ... and I tried to maintain my enthusiasm throughout the competition. When it came down between me and Calsie (Boyd, Miss Cambria County Outstanding Teen) ... I couldn’t expect it,” she said, laughing.

As for the crowing, LaQuatra said she was so excited she was “crying my eyes out.”

Boyd, who was first runner-up in the competition, represented the Juniata Valley last year as Miss Central Pennsylvania Outstanding Teen.

Now LaQuatra is setting her sights on her next competition: Miss America Outstanding Teen Competition, scheduled for August in Orlando, Fla.

“I have so much preparation to do,” LaQuatra said, which includes everything for dieting and exercise to practicing her routines.

“All this crazy stuff, but it’s all going to be worth it. I’m definitely excited,” she said. “I’m so thrilled, I can’t wait for nationals.”

LaQuatra said the best part of the past week was meeting the other young ladies in the competition from around the state.

“There were so many new girls in the competition this year,” she said. “Honestly they taught me some valuable lessons. ... they were there to encourage me. It was just a great week meeting the girls.”

But LaQuatra wasn’t the only young woman to receive a crown. On Saturday night, a University of Pennsylvania graduate student from Delaware County took home the 2007 Miss Pennsylvania crown.

 Rachel Marie Brooks, 24, of Broomall, will represent the Keystone State in the Miss America competition in January.

The first runner-up in the Miss Pennsylvania Competition was Shannon Doyle, a previous Miss Central Pennsylvania. This year’s Miss Greater Juniata Valley, Rachel Henry, placed in the top 10 overall.

This was LaQuatra’s second appearance in the Miss Pennsylvania Outstanding Teen competition, which itself is only in its third year.

“I’d just like to thank the Miss Central Pennsylvania and Miss Juniata Valley scholarship organization, and especially John and Rosie (Metzgar) — without them I’d be nothing,” she said.

Section: News    Posted: 6/25/2007