Reba Marana laughed when her aunt told her she was going to win the Miss West Duluth pageant.
After being crowned Miss West Duluth at Wednesday night's event, 16-year-old Marana is still laughing.
Marana never even thought about the chance of winning after deciding to participate in the pageant in March.
"There were such great contestants," said Marana shortly after a jeweled crown was placed atop her curls. "The judges had a decision I'd never want to make."
Marana is a sophomore at Denfeld High School and is on the track team, is involved in the music program and is on the speech team where she competes in extemporaneous speaking. She loves to sing, dance and act and has had the opportunity to perform in several plays. She is a ski instructor and a life guard. After high school she is planning on attending medical school to become a heart surgeon.
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Upon winning Miss West Duluth, Marana received a rhinestone crown, pageant banner, formal dress donated by Bridal Traditions and a $500 certificate of deposit.
Marana said the $500 is going straight to her college fund.
Tanya Moore has been Marana's voice teacher for eight years and was there to see her crowned Miss West Duluth.
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"She always has a smile on her face," said Moore. "No one deserves it more than her. I'm so proud of her."
Marana's parents, brother, aunts and grandparents were also there to celebrate her win.
I'm so pleased, so proud," said Lori Marana, Reba's mother. "She's one in a million."
Her aunt, June Marana, couldn't stop smiling. "I think she's going to be awesome. She's an inspiration to me and she'll be an inspiration to all."
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Five girls from West Duluth competed in the 17th annual Miss West Duluth pageant, one of the many events taking place during Spirit Valley Days.
Sixteen-year-old Sara Lynn Bittinger, also a sophomore at Denfeld High School was named Princess. She received a rhinestone crown, pageant banner, formal dress and a $300 certificate of deposit.
Bittinger also won the Volunteer Service Award and the title of Miss Congeniality.
Lauren Henderson, 17, a senior at Denfeld High School won the Academic Achievement Award, and the award for selling the most buttons to raise money for the event.
Nicole Marie Opland, 16, and McKenzee (Max) Rae Sudduth, both sophomores at Denfeld High School also competed in the event.
This year's pageant was coordinated by Crystal Palmer, owner of Bridal Traditions in west Duluth. Johnny Lee Walker from B105 radio was the master of ceremonies.
