Document text
CLEAR Temp: 52 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Saturday, September 20, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine Joy Magazine Tempo A & E RogueValleyAutoFinder RogueValleyHomeFinder Real Estate Showcase Wellness Connection Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Employment Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend August 13, 2003 Phoenix High grad wins Miss Teen USA By BILL KETTLER Mail Tribune Tami Farrell put Phoenix, Oregon, in the limelight Tuesday when she won the Miss Teen USA pageant. "I’m on cloud nine," Farrell said from her hotel room in Palm Springs. "It’s like a dream." Farrell said she’ll leave for New York today to begin a year’s work with the Miss Universe organization, which stages the Miss Teen USA pageant. She’ll speak to young people about the dangers of drugs and alcohol. Farrell, 18, who graduated from Phoenix High School in June, made Oregon the only state to produce three winners in the national pageant. She won a year of rent-free living in New York City, a tiara valued at $17,500, and cash and other prizes. Advertisement No other state has captured the title more than once. A self-described tomboy, Farrell told the Mail Tribune in July that she hoped to earn a liberal arts degree and pursue a career in acting and modeling. She said if she won the competition she would try to be a positive role model and inspiration to youth. Local friends and supporters who have known Farrell for years weren’t surprised when she walked away with the crown. "She worked her tail off to do this," said Bret Howard, a Medford builder who helped sponsor Farrell’s trip to the pageant in Palm Springs, Calif. "I’ve known her since she was 6," Howard said. "She cares about everybody. She’s always happy and helpful." "I’m thrilled for her," said Bettye Hitchko, a leadership adviser at Phoenix High School, where Farrell was class president for three years and student body president in her senior year. "She was always organized, upbeat, and positive," Hitchko said. "We put together some awesome student assemblies last year and we couldn’t have done them without her help." Hitchko said Farrell’s unassuming manner most likely caught the judges’ eyes. "She comes across when you meet her as a warm, kind, honest, young lady. She’s very sincere and very down-to-earth. When you sit and talk with her, you don’t get the feeling that she thinks she’s the greatest thing ever." The entrants competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. Farrell said she tried to "open up" to the judges. "I tried to be myself and I feel like the judges saw something they liked." While a student at Phoenix High Farrell raised money for the Children’s Advocacy Center and the Children’s Miracle Network. She worked as a volunteer for Southern Oregon Drug Awareness, CATS, the Salvation Army and the Red Cross, and collected food for the Access food bank program. In an interview during the pageant, Farrell recalled not wanting to play sports with girls, "so I played baseball with the boys. "Every guy was a little harder on me," she said. "I showed them all up on my final game when I hit a grand slam, winning the game for my team." Farrell said her plans to attend college will have to go on hold for a year. "All I know right now," she said, "is that doors are being opened for me." Reach reporter Bill Kettler at 776-4492, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times