Kagman High stunner wins Miss Teen title

Kagman High School junior Gina Tanya Torres Dueñas wowed the Miss Teen CNMI 2002 audience Saturday night with more than just her model-figure and movie-star looks.

The 16-year-old’s refreshing spiel about improving local tourism during the “Question and Answer” portion also heightened her chances of landing the coveted Miss Teen CNMI 2002 crown — which she took home at the night’s end.

Dueñas, crowned Saturday night, edged out four other candidates: Naniolyn Ogumoro Dillay, Yerma Boyer Roberto, Jadine Victoria Aldan Hockett and Merced V. Villagomez.

“Community involvement is the key to improving the economy. [And one way to do that is to] make friends with tourists to make their [next] visits to the islands more personal,” the teenager confidently recited to the judges comprised mostly of white-collar professionals.

Such wit, beauty and grace were the components that drove the 2002 Ms. Teen CNMI Coronation night held at the Theater Hall of the Nikko Hotel.

The teen competition, which was staged for the first time in five years, also concluded triumphantly for Mount Carmel High School 9th grader, Villagomez, who walked away with the Ms. Teen CNMI 2002-First Runner-Up title.

“It feels great and I am lucky enough to make it this far. I plan to encourage other girls to try and join this because it’s a fun experience and really exciting,” the 15-year-old told reporters after the pageant.

Villagomez believes it was her talent— a rendition of the Maya Angelu original “Phenomenal Woman”— that made her stand out among the other candidates. The 5’5”-tall head-turner’s performance earned her the Best in Talent award.

Other special awardees included Hockett, for Best in Sportswear and Most Congenial; and Dueñas for Best in National Costume and Most Photogenic.

Dueñas, as Miss Teen titleholder is recipient to a $1,000 scholarship award while Villagomez, as First Runner-up has been awarded a $500-scholarship pward.

A young cultural group called the Natibu Club headed by its president Noby Crisostomo organized the Miss Teen CNMI 2002 pageant.

“I would like to thank all my committee members who have given so much of their time and effort into making this event a huge success. I would like to give you my great appreciation, especially to my two advisors who volunteered most of their time to help us and be there for us,” Crisostomo said during the opening of Saturday’s program.

Present during the special event were past Miss Teen CNMI winners Marianne Concepcion-Teregeyo (1992) and Cecilia Taitano-Celes (1995).

Miss CNMI-Universe Virginia Gridley, Miss CNMI-International Christine Cunanan and 2002 Miss CNMI Beauty Pageant Executive Producer Ernie Molina Jr. were also at hand to support the Miss Teen CNMI contestants.

The Miss Teen CNMI panel of judges comprised of MVA Managing Director Vicky I. Benavente, Hopwood Principal David Borja, CHC Director of Nursing Remy B. Tudela, Tim Thornburg and Hyatt F&B Director Vivian Seman.