By CHRISTINE MICHELLE BRAUER

UW News Lab

Camilla Cyr, a 17-year-old high school junior and current Miss Kirkland Teen USA, was crowned Miss Washington Teen USA 2010 on Oct. 11 in Burien. She will compete nationally for the title of Miss Teen USA later this year.

Competing against 30 girls in her division, she won this year’s title in only her second pageant competition ever. In 2008’s competition, Cyr won first runner-up.

“It was such a great experience the first year when I got first runner-up,” she said, noting that she had only had a couple of months to prepare before her first competition. “I used that as motivation to work even harder and win the title the next year. It was nice to have a full year to prepare and mature this time around.”

Since her October win, Cyr’s life has gotten dramatically busier.

“It has been such a whirlwind!” said Cyr. “It feels like a year has gone by. The impact that you have with the crown is amazing.”

Cyr’s pageant story started in 2008, when she was unexpectedly approached by a Miss USA pageant competitor Lacey Carroll in a Las Vegas hotel.

“It was by chance the Miss USA competition was being held in Las Vegas that weekend, and the Miss Washington USA contestant approached me at dinner and told me that I should compete,” Cyr said.

According to Cyr’s mother, Cindy, Carroll was diligent to follow-up with Cyr once they returned to Seattle and introduced her to the pageant world. The Kirkland teen said that she was skeptical to get involved with pageants at first.

“Usually when people think of pageants they think of pretty girls and world peace,” Cyr said. “But these girls are the most beautiful, confident, smart girls I’ve ever met. I’ve learned to interview and how to hold myself as a person. I’ve learned how to get caught up on world events, and I’ve matured.”

Michelle Font, Former Miss Washington USA and appearance coordinator for Pageants Northwest, met Cyr last year when she took first runner-up. She said that she has no doubt that Cyr could take the national title this year.

“One thing that stands out with Camilla is her personality. She’s confident but also very real,” Font said. “She’s not afraid to be goofy if that’s what the time calls for, but she’s also very sophisticated for her age.”

Font will aid Cyr as she spends the rest of this year preparing for nationals, which she will do by staying active in her “normal” life: the life of a high school junior.

At Eastside Catholic High School in Issaquah, Cyr is a varsity cheerleader and a member of the varsity tennis team. Cyr already follows a strict diet and a rigorous fitness plan, but she also hopes to join the track team this year.

“I figure it’s going to get me in really good shape for nationals,” she said.

Cyr also dedicates her time at school to helping others.

“I tutor kids with learning disabilities,” she said. “I take a period out of my schedule every day to help them with strength and agility, math and any other subject.”

Cyr also works with different charities in the community. Her first outreach was with a therapeutic riding center in Redmond called “Little Bit,” which provides help to disabled children and adults.

“I love working with kids and speaking out for them even though they can’t,” said Cyr.

Cyr even got the opportunity to help with the Kirkland annual tree-lighting ceremony this year.

Tami Wakasugi volunteers with Pageants Northwest mentoring competitors and organizing appearances, and has been involved with Cyr since she took the crown.

“When she won the title I was just trying to help find events for her to be a part of, because part of it is giving back to the community,” Wakasugi said.

She added the confidence Cyr will gain with each new appearance will be valuable preparation during this next year.

“In reality, if it were just her by herself, just a girl wanting to help, people aren’t going to be interested,” Wakasugi added. “But if I say I have Miss Washington Teen USA, the crown and sash carry a lot of weight. She wants to use it for the benefit of her community.”

Font, who has always been very involved in giving back to the community, said that Cyr is a great role model for teens, and that she saw winning qualities in her from the moment she met her.

“The crown helps people take you more seriously,” she said. “They look at you like someone who is an icon and not just someone speaking.”

Cyr will also participate in a new MTV online reality TV show this year called “The B Girls,” which will follow the Miss Teen USA and Miss USA pageant winners from Washington, Idaho, Nevada, Virginia, and Arkansas as they go through obstacles preparing for other competitions.

“I encourage girls to go out there and try it,” Cyr said of pageants. “You will benefit from it; they give you so much you can use in your life.”

Christine Michelle Brauer is a student in the University of Washington Department of Communication News Laboratory.