Local teen learns from Miss Colorado pageant

MONTROSE — Megan and Ellen Flanary are back in town after a whirlwind experience last week.

Megan, a 2009 Montrose High School graduate, and her mom, Ellen, spent June 22 and 23 at Colorado State University freshman orientation.

On Wednesday evening, Megan and 29 other women from around the state practiced their walks for the swimsuit and evening gown portions of the Miss Colorado pageant.

Megan earned her spot in the pageant after being named Miss Arvada in a Denver pageant, where she won a $300 scholarship.

On Thursday, the women learned the choreography for their opening number where they danced to "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper.

Friday and Saturday, they were divided into two groups for preliminaries. The two groups did swimsuit, evening gown, talent, interview and on-stage questions during the two days.

And on Sunday, the actual pageant began. All 30 women were brought on stage and the top 15 were announced.

Unfortunately, Megan was not among that group. Of the 30 women, aged 18 to 24, Megan was the youngest. This was also her first pageant where she competed in the miss category instead of teen.

She said that she did not expect some of the things that happened at the pageant.

"The questions at the interview were a lot more political," she said. "They wanted to know your opinion. At the teen interviews, they just wanted to get to know your personality."

Megan was disappointed at first when she missed a spot in the top 15. She usually placed in the top five at the rest of the pageants she competed in since her freshman year of high school, which were in the teen category.

"But I learned it was mostly about having fun and you can't be disappointed too long," she said.

And next year, she will likely give Miss Colorado another try.

"I just have to adjust and look on positively and learn from it," Megan said. "I have a better idea of what I need to do to prepare for it."

Ellen, Megan's grandma and her friend Cody Jones attended the pageant for support.

"(My mom) was really encouraging," Megan said. "She helped me out a lot."

Ellen said the pageant was a great experience for both her and her daughter.

"There is no question in my mind that she had a terrific time, learned a lot and met some great ladies like herself to spend five days with," Ellen said in an e-mail. "This experience will no doubt be a positive factor in her growing into a mature woman who understands how to carry and conduct herself in the world."

Following the top 15 announcement, the women changed into their swimsuits, then the top 10 were announced and did the evening gown portion. The top five performed their talents and did the on-stage question before the winner was announced.

The winner will go on to compete in the Miss America pageant.

Though the Miss Colorado pageant did not air live, it will air between 15 and 18 times on Altitude TV. The first shows are July 15 at 8 p.m. and 11 p.m.

When Megan begins college in the fall, she said she will focus most of her energy on school and most likely won't compete in other pageants until the next Miss Colorado pageant.

Until fall, Megan is just being a normal teenager — teaching swim lessons and preparing for music camp as CSU.

— — —

To comment on this story, visit www.montrosepress.com