Yvette Bennett is a step closer to the Miss America crown

The CNMI’s Yvette Bennett is a step closer to her goal of being crowned 2012 Miss Idaho—and eventually Miss America—after winning this year’s Miss Meridian on March 24.

Bennett will be among local titleholders—all official contestants for the scholarship pageant—who will be attending on Friday and Saturday the scheduled orientation for the scholarship pageant this year.

“Should I win the Miss Idaho title, it will be on to the Miss America pageant,” Bennett, a former member of the CNMI national athletics team, said in a statement.

Despite her radiant smile and great physique, the path that took Bennett to the crown didn’t come easy.

Bennett’s journey for the pageant title began a year ago when she came across the Miss Boise Scholarship Program while looking for ways to get assistance for her education. She became a pageant volunteer “to get a clear view of what to expect when I become a contestant.”

Bennett entered the contest on Feb. 24, which won her the Community Support Award for having the most number of tickets sold and the Miss Congeniality Award based on the votes of all pageant contestants.

On March 3, Bennett joined her second pageant, Miss Gate City in Pocatello, Idaho, where she won Best in Swimsuit.

Then came the Miss Tri-Counties, which Bennett said is believed to be one of the most popular and toughest local pageants to win. Bennett rose to the challenge on pageant night, March 17, taking home the first runner-up title and the Best in Swimsuit award.

“After placing in this pageant, I knew I had to keep going because I was getting closer to getting the title,” she said.

And she did—and it came sooner than she thought—being crowned Miss Meridian only last Saturday.

Bennett said she couldn’t believe that she was going to win the title after the long journey. “It just goes to show if you know what you want in life, you are going to keep going and not let anything get in your way but the outcome.”

Bennett’s father, Ambrose Bennett, said his daughter is “truly” making a name in Idaho not just for herself but also for the CNMI and he thanked all their supporters and those who have been following Yvette’s journey on Facebook.

“We are extremely proud of Yvette and her accomplishments as she strives to become a professional model. She definitely has the beauty, the brains and the persistence it takes to be a winner and top model in America,” added Ambrose Bennett.