Local teen cherishes friendships, memories

By Anastasia Harbuck

Published: August 25, 2008

Haley Ates is happy to be home, but she says her eleven days at the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen competition in Aug. 12 - 16, in Orlando were - obviously- outstanding.

Though she didn’t win the pageant, she said she couldn’t put a price on the friends and memories she made there. But the $1,500 in scholarships she received wasn’t bad either. As a non-finalist talent winner, Ates received a $500 scholarship and as a participant in Outstanding Teen, she received a $1,000 scholarship. Ates is also hopeful that she will be chosen to sing at the Miss America competition in Las Vegas in January.

“I was so thrilled with that award and I told my mom that I have never been so sure I am a pageant girl, but I know I am a singer!” Ates stated in an e-mail sent to The Tribune.

Ates also participated in photo shoots, luncheons, makeovers, parties and many other fun activities. She said the activities were sponsored by businesses in Orlando. Ates said she was in the “blue group” during the competition. On Aug. 12, she competed in physical fitness; on Aug. 13, she competed in talent and on Aug. 14, she competed in evening wear and on-stage question.

“Saturday night was the final competition and I was ecstatic when they called my name as a non-finalist talent winner,” she said. “Miss South Carolina’s teen, Taylor Fitch, won the title of Miss America’s Outstanding Teen and she will be a fabulous representation for the program.”

Ates said the most valuable gifts she received at Outstanding Teen were the friendships she made there. Ates went dancing with Miss Alabama Amanda Tapley at the competition’s “sock hop” Aug. 15. She said she made an extra special friend in Sloan Roberts, Miss Arkansas’ Outstanding Teen. The two have already made travel plans to visit each other during Christmas break.

“The friends and memories I made at (Miss America’s Outstanding Teen) are indescribable,” she said. “It was truly the best experience of my life!”