Marie Vezina is not only a talented writer for the LCM Bear Facts, but she is also an aspiring model. She recently entered her first competition and is already dominating the pageant scene.

Vezina is participating in National American Miss Texas Teen, which is a pageant that helps young girls gain good poise, confidence and build valuable communication skills. Some of the categories Vezina and the other girls compete in are talent, photogenic and top model.

The first round of Miss Texas Teen was held at the Holiday Inn in Beaumont on March 7 and the next round will be  on June 19- 20 in Houston. According to Vezina, she chose to participate in the pageant for fun and was beyond surprised when she received a certificate and ribbon in the mail, signifying that she would continue on as a State Finalist.

“At first I was like, ‘No, this is a joke,’ because I’ve never heard of them,” Vezina said of the program. “But then I was like, ‘Just do something different and go outside your normal.'”

Vezina said she has quickly learned that being in a pageant is not simple, as she has to practice a few times every week after school.

“I’ve had to practice modeling stance, which is putting your feet together with one foot facing forward and then one foot facing to the left,” she said. “Also, I’ve had to practice walking in heels because I’m a bit of a klutz. I’ve also had to work on having a genuine smile and not a fake one. I’m used to always having a stoic face. And then I’ve had to practice conversing, introducing myself and talking into a microphone.”

The ladies who work at National American Miss Teen have been working with Vezina and showing her what she needs to improve on and LCM choir teacher Nikki Hanson has also taken the time to coach and prepare her for the talent portion of the pageant.

According to Vezina, one of the biggest challenges of this contest has been raising money and getting sponsors to help support her involvement, but perhaps the toughest obstacle to overcome has been getting fully prepared to be on stage.

“My biggest challenge would be overcoming my anxiety and being in the spotlight,” she said.

If Vezina wins the pageant, she will receive a $250 cash prize, scholarship opportunities, a trophy and a chance to win a Ford Mustang. Although the material prizes are nice, this senior said she has already learned so much about herself during the entire process.

“It’s taught me to be more persistent and not to just accept the first ‘no’ I come across,” Vezina said. “I’ve done some things I’ve never aspired to do or try, that I actually like, such as working with a photographer and wanting to model. It never was a dream, but now that would be great. I’ve learned to stop doubting myself so much and to be more goal oriented.”