CHS Senior Taylor Nelson is the new Miss Santa Monica Teen
While many juniors and seniors were prepping for the Coronado High School prom Saturday, April 12, senior Taylor Nelson was, instead, getting ready to compete in the Miss Santa Monica Teen pageant. It wasn’t that she wanted to miss the prom, but the demands of the pageant dictated that she make a choice.
Since being crowned Miss Teen Coronado in May 2013, Taylor has been following her dream to model, while also finishing high school and pursuing her desire to attend college. Taylor plans to major in biomedical and neurological sciences and continue modeling. As Miss Teen Coronado, Taylor was able to compete in the Miss Teen California pageant this past January. Out of at least a hundred contestants, Taylor made the top ten! She turned her Miss Teen Coronado Crown over March 15, 2014 to Katie Hearther. Still fostering a desire to compete, she chose to miss her Senior Prom.
The decision and preparation proved positive as Taylor was crowned Miss Santa Monica Teen Sunday night at the Loews Santa Monica hotel. There were eleven teen contestants and the evening, hosted by Gerardo Mejia of Rico Suave fame and Natasha Martinez, Miss Malibu USA 2014, consisted of swim suit competition, evening gown and onstage interview.
Miss Coronado Susanna Wiggins, Young Miss Coronado Zoe Hunt and Miss Teen Coronado Katie Hearther pose with Taylor Nelson.
The new title will allow Taylor to once again compete at the Miss California Teen USA pageant, scheduled for January 9 – 11, 2015 in Long Beach, California. In addition to being crowned, Taylor also received the pageant’s award for community service.
Directed by Kristen Bradford, owner of Crown Diva Boutique and Pageant Academy, the Miss Santa Monica pageant was well attended by visiting royalty including Miss California USA Cassandra Kunze and Miss California Teen Bianca Vierra.
Miss Coronado Susanna Wiggins, Miss Santa Monica Teen Taylor Nelson, Miss Coronado Pageant Director Marty Brooks, Miss California USA Cassandra Kunze and Miss Teen Coronado Katie Hearther. (photo by Rory O’Neill)
Local pageant winners Miss Coronado Susanna Wiggins, Miss Teen Coronado Katie Hearther and Young Miss Coronado Zoe Hunt all attended to support their fellow Islander. With a cheering section consisting of friends and family, Taylor did a great job of impressing the judges with not only her beauty, but her ability to speak on stage with intelligence and clarity.
Congratulations Taylor!
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Kellee Hearther
