Contestants for Teen Miss Auburn compete for crown

The Teen Miss Auburn pageant will be held Saturday, Sept.13, at the DeWitt Theater in Auburn. Private interview, essay, evening gown, public speech, fitness and onstage impromptu question categories will round out the necessary points to earn the title. The new titleholder will receive a $1,000 scholarship bond and spend the year serving the community and promoting the charity of her choice. Current queen, Ashley Hayes, who promoted her platform, H.E.A.R.T., will be on hand to crown the new winner. Ashley earned a spot in the "Top 10" and took home the "Community Service Award" at the Teen Miss California Pageant held in Palm Springs last month.Vying for the 2008 title, and the $1,000 scholarship bond, are:Lorena Argueta, a 17-year-old junior at Colfax High School. She is the foster daughter of Terry and Nancy Velasco. The platform she is promoting is Placer Kids. Her sponsors are Hall's Towing and Nancy's Business Services. Faith Worrell, a 17-year-old senior at Colfax High School. She is the daughter of Tanya and Mark Worrell. The platform she is promoting is the Tilts Orphan Education Fund. Her sponsors are Elite Progressive School of Cosmetology, Northern Energy Propane, J&J Screens and Glass, Monte Vista Inn, Colfax Max, Dutch Flat Hotel and Dutch Flat Trading Post.Savannah Young, a 15-year-old junior at Placer High School. She is the daughter of Susan Sanders-Young. The platform she is promoting is Placer Grown Agriculture. Her sponsors are Lisa and Lance Rose, Phyllis Caesar, Rob and Nancy Beyer, Bob and Connie Bucy, Richard and Kim Queen, Jim Queen, Robert Forsythe, Janina and Harlan VanVooren, Teresa and Jack Dilworth – Central Sierra Construction, Arnold and Marion Lyon – G.V. and Lincoln Taco Bell, Catherine Rowe – OZ! Gallery of Fine Jewelry, Debi McReynolds-Cook – Visions Salon and Hot Sand, Julie Bryan – Visions Salon, Barbara Devlin – Visions Salon, Mike and Charlene Ryan – Auburn Ace Hardware, Thomas Kusel – Kusel Chiropractic, Kim Brown – Brown Bag Catering. Lisa Velasco, a 16-year-old senior at Colfax High School. She is the daughter of Terry and Nancy Velasco. The platform she is promoting is M.A.D.D. Her sponsors are Hall's Towing, Auburn Union 76, Cody McBee, D.C. and Family and Friends. Samantha Martinez, a 14-year-old freshman at Placer High School. She is the daughter of Patricia Rodriquez. The platform she is promoting is the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Her sponsors are Big O Tires of Auburn and Stephanie Kaiser. Kayley Marshall, a 16-year-old junior at Whitney High School. She is the daughter of Andy and Robin Marshall. The platform she is promoting is Threads to Strings. Her sponsors are Big O Tires – Citrus Heights, Family & Friends.The public is invited to cast votes for the "People's Choice" Award. To vote for your favorite contestant, send an e-mail with the contestant's name, along with your name and phone number, to info@westcoastpageants.-com. All entries will be put in a drawing for free tickets to watch the pageant.Deadline to cast a vote is noon on Friday, Sept. 12. Tickets will be available at the door for $10. Pageant sponsors are Roper's Jewelers, Strings Italian Cafe, Studio 55, Auburn Optimist Club, Fossum's International Karate and Kickboxing and Foster Graphics.