St. James Espresso in downtown Kirkland recently played hosted to an event honoring Camilla Cyr, the current Miss Washington Teen USA. The 17-year-old Kirkland resident will compete for the title of Miss Teen USA this summer.

“I believe she’s got a fabulous chance to win at nationals,” Pageants Northwest director David Van Maren said. “She’s got an incredible chance of being top five and I am very hopeful that she could win it.”

Not only was the event held to raise support for Camilla, but it was also an opportunity to reach out to prospective contestants for the 2011 competition.

“My goal tonight is to meet the girls who might compete next year, and to be able to tell them what pageants are like and what it takes to win,” Cyr said.

Van Maren said that the event gave the girls a great chance to talk to each other and learn from Camilla the skills it takes to compete in pageants.

“I think the kids found out that Camilla is just your everyday girl that so many girls are like, and that she isn’t untouchable,” Van Maren said. “That’s the way our titleholders are supposed to be, someone that is fun and is also a leader.”

Van Maren was on hand to advise interested potential contestants, and he also held a pageant orientation for the first hour of the event.

“We go over what it takes to be in the pageant, making sure the girls are in the right mindset,” he said. “No boys, no parties. We go over all the details so that they understand what they’re getting themselves into.”

According to Van Maren, the most important traits a competitor can possess are having a great attitude, being a people person and having the desire to learn how to network.

“We want to help a person improve their life success skills,” he said. “Today it’s all about instant gratification. We want them to learn that delayed gratification is something that has worth.”

Several younger girls showed up to meet Camilla, get her autograph, and take a picture with the role model and titleholder.

One such girl was 10-year-old Skyler Cristelli, who met Camilla at the Kirkland waterfront during the Christmas tree lighting this past November.

When asked whether she would like to compete in pageants in the future, Cristelli said, “It depends on if I still get to do sports.”

She said that Cyr is a great role model because she is on the varsity tennis team and the varsity cheer squad even while competing in pageants.

Miss Washington USA Tracy Turnure also attended to show support for Cyr. Tenure will compete April 18th in Las Vegas for the title of Miss USA.

“We’re so lucky to be surrounded by such a supportive community,” Turnure said.

Amanda Washburn, a 16-year-old Holy Names student interested in competing in the 2011 pageant, was eager to ask questions of both Cyr and Turnure.

She asked Turnure if competing was fun and rewarding. She replied, “Absolutely, when you get up there and they’re cheering for you and all of your hard work is paying off.”

As part of the event, Cyr planned to speak about what it’s like to be Miss Washington Teen USA.

“So when I speak, what should I say?” Cyr asked director Van Maren.

“I am Camilla Cyr. I am Miss Washington Teen USA, and I’m for world peace. And my platform is my shoe,” he joked.

All joking aside, Cyr explained what participating in pageants is like and the measures she will take to prepare for the national competition this summer. Following her introduction, Cyr and Turnure held a Q&A session for the potential future contestants.

“My advice to girls is to start preparing now,” Cyr said. “That way you won’t get stressed out and you’ll be able to focus on what you want to accomplish.”

She added that it is also crucial to get to know the other girls in order to get the most out of the experience.

“The first time I competed, I was so closed off,” Cyr said, noting that she had some preconceived notions about pageant girls. “The second time around, I wanted to be able to know every girl by name. I found out that these girls are the most intelligent, confident, and beautiful girls I will ever meet.”

Turnure said that there are stereotypes to everything you do in life.

“Don’t let what you do define you,” she said. “You define it.”