by MARYSA FALK - Ravalli RepublicA Stevensville teenager is asking for the prayers and good luck wishes from everyone in Montana.
Haley Boyer, the reigning Miss Montana Teen USA, will represent her home state in the Miss Teen USA pageant in the Bahamas on July 31.
The Miss Teen USA pageant is for young women ages 15 through 19 and is a part of the Miss Universe Organization owned by Donald Trump.
“She’s a Montana girl through and through and she’s going to go to the Bahamas in July and do everything she can to bring that title home to all Montanans,” Scott Boyer, Haley’s father said.
The 18-year-old said growing up in Montana has given her strengths that contestants from other states won’t have.
“We all have really high work ethic but I’m not afraid to get rough and dirty,” Haley said. “Growing up in Montana I’ve learned to get the job done.”
Participating in rodeos and riding horses has also taught Haley perseverance and patience, something she said has prepared her for the competition.
Haley and 50 other contestants will be judged based on a personal interview with the judges prior to the on-stage competition that includes swimsuit and evening gown contests.
Haley has competed in the state pageant three unsuccessful times before her win in September 2008. In 2006 she won an award for physical fitness and Miss Congeniality. In 2007, she was first runner up.
“By now, most would have given up, but not Haley,” her father said.
“It was really difficult to stay motivated but I continued to watch the pageant on TV and saw what the girls were doing for their communities and wanted to get involved.” Haley said. “I had to wait a few years, but it was worth it.”
Since being crowned, Haley has completed a lot of volunteer work, a required duty as the crown holder and something she said she loves to do.
Haley has worked with Habitat for Humanity, the Special Olympics, The Ronald McDonald House and has been a motivational speaker at state-wide high schools.
“I speak to students about goal setting because it’s very important and everyone should have goals,” Haley said.
Haley has competed in pageants since she was 11 years old when she won Little Miss Rodeo Western Montana in 2002. She went on to win Ravalli County Rodeo Junior Queen in 2004, Miss Rodeo Western Montana Princess 2005 and Miss Ravalli County 2007.
“I’ve always been into horses and held rodeo titles, but I wanted to move into beauty pageants,” Haley said. “I’ve always had my eye on Miss USA and reaping the benefits of competing.”
Due to the lack of trainers for hair styles, make-up application, stage presence and modeling, Haley has had to travel outside Montana to find the best resources for her.
“I needed to find where the winners are training and do a lot of research and traveling,” she said. “That’s been the most difficult part.”
Haley hopes to shatter the stereotype that Montana is not a competition state by continuing to train until the competition and using her high level of work ethic she has set for herself.
Haley trains by practicing her stage presence, interview and presentation. She said she wants to be polished and the best possible self she can be by the time she arrives to the Bahamas.
“I have to have extreme leadership skills and abilities because Miss Teen USA is a speaker and a leader that works with organizations and charities,” Haley said. “I have to be on top of my game. I have to be that person before I can win that title.”
Haley graduated from Hamilton High School in May and will be attending cosmetology school in Dallas, Texas this fall, unless she is crowned Miss Teen USA.
The winner receives an assortment of gifts but also a one-year stay in Trump Towers in New York City and a $100,000 scholarship to the New York Film Academy.
Haley said if she wins she will have the opportunity to network, self-improve and prepare for her future career.
Haley’s future in pageants depends on where life takes her.
“I don’t want to say I’m done, I’m just not sure,” Haley said.
Haley said her life goals are to be successful, own a house and car, travel and be proud of the work she does.
The pageant will not be aired on television. Check the Ravalli Republic after the competition for results.
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