By Tim Leeds
Jerilyn Wood of Havre will compete in the 2000 Miss Montana National Pre-Teen Program in Billings, May 26-28.
Wood, the daughter of Curt and Carol Wood, is a sixth-grade honor student at Havre Central Junior High.
Wood said she was really excited when she got the letter saying she was accepted for the program. She said she hopes to do more competitions like this in the future and possibly do some modeling as well.
Wood has already been modeling for area merchants since she was two, working in events such as fashion shows and parades.
Wood said just being in the competition is winning for her.
"It says at the end (of the competition description) that everyone's a winner, so even if I don't win, I win," she said.
All participants in the state program receive a state participation trophy, a t-shirt for the production number and a pizza party and luncheon for the weekend. Runners-up for the state award receive trophies, plaques and savings bonds.
The state winner will receive a flight and entry fee paid for the Miss National Pre-Teen competition in Orlando, Fla., in November, as well as a cash award, banner, crown, trophy and arm bouquet.
The competition emphasizes academic excellence as well as providing scholarship opportunities for state and national winners.
Wood will compete in a number of events at the state program, including the "Program Production Number," the "Photo Miss" competition and "Sportswear Modeling" competition.
Wood said that in the interviews they will be asked what their goals and career plans are. Wood said she plans to be a teacher.
Wood said part of the competition will focus on how the contestants work as a group and how they cooperate with each other.
The selection of the contestants was based on academic achievements, community involvement and personal interests. In addition to her academic work, Woods activities include playing volleyball and basketball at Havre Central, being a member of the school's Power 2000 anti-tobacco team, being an alter server at St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic Church, working at soup kitchens, being a member of 4-H, and participating in barrel racing and pole bending at the Junior Rodeo.
Wood is sponsored in the program by C&C Fitting Supply, Corral West, Frontier Lawn & Landscaping, Gifts Galore & Handcrafters Haven, Havre Ford, Helmbrecht Studio, Holt Plumbing-Havre Heating and A/C, Inc., the Havre Holiday Village Shopping Center, Patrick Construction, Studio 203-Beth Bondy and Westside Storage.
