Groveland Twp.- Lyndsey Hof recalls that when she was a little girl, she wanted a crown like the ones worn by beauty pageant winners.
Next month, the now 16-year-old Brandon High School junior will compete for a tiara and title of Miss Michigan Teen USA 2007.
Hof first considered entering the pageant, an official preliminary to Miss Teen USA, last year. She was looking at the website (www.missteenmichiganusa.com) again this summer and decided to apply, a process that included submitting a photo, her name, age, and hobbies, which include dance.
The 5?5 brunette with blue eyes was notified by letter Aug. 4 that she had been selected as an entrant.
‘I’m excited,? says the first-time pageant contestant. ‘I’ve wanted to do this for the past year-and-a-half. I think it will be fun and a great opportunity.?
Hof, the daughter of Angie and Brian Batten and sister of Andrew, will have rehearsals for a choreographed number at the pageant, scheduled for Oct. 19-21 at the McMorran Place Theater in Port Huron. The Miss Michigan USA 2007 pageant will take place at the same time.
Contestants will be judged in three categories: evening gown, swimsuit and interview. For the swimsuit portion, Hof must choose a plain hot pink or red bathing suit. She has already selected an interview outfit, which she describes as a brown tank top and brown trousers cut at the knees with heels to match, and for the evening gown competition she will wear a strapless gown that is aqua in color with beading at the top.
When asked if she is dieting or exercising in preparation for the competition, Hof responds that she is, but it’s not going so well.
‘I need to cut down and have willpower,? she smiles.
For the interview, Hof must show that she is well-spoken and charismatic. She has already answered a list of questions she was sent about causes she is interested in. One of those causes, says Hof, includes multiple sclerosis, which her grandmother has, causing her pain and affecting her ability to use muscles.
Hof is unsure what her obligations will be if selected, but she is confident the experience will be good.
‘We get a lot of opportunity to gain as people and become more well-rounded,? she said.