Courtney Haynes Miss Teen Louisiana 2001

Courtney Haynes
Miss Teen Louisiana 2001

Courtney Haynes of West Monroe, Louisiana, was crowned "Miss Teen Louisiana 2001" in the state pageant finals held June 30 in Ruston, Louisiana. Courtney is the 16 year old daughter of David and Jackie Haynes of West Monroe. She was 2002 Children's Mardi Gras Parade Grand Marshall in 2002. Fifteen young women from around the state competed for the title. Haynes won the talent award with her vocal rendition of "Stormy Weather." She was also the preliminary swimsuit winner.

Haynes won a variety of prizes, scholarships and over $2500 in cash. She traveled the state promoting her platform "HERO INSIDE" which was directed to elementary school students as they prepared to move into the junior high/middle school level. The program was designed to instill self-esteem and confidence in young students as they face the physical, emotional and social changes of the teen years. "HERO INSIDE" encouraged students to make right choices as they look for the "hero" inside themselves.

Haynes also represented Louisiana teens as she appeared, spoke and entertained at fairs, festivals, conventions, pageants, and events throughout the state.

Other award winners were: Erin Husbands, Marksville (1st Runner-Up); Natalie Berlin, Shreveport (2nd Runner-Up); Sarah Smith, Shreveport (3rd Runner-Up); and Maridith Hollis, Ruston (4th Runner-Up). Husbands and Smith were co-interview award winners while Hollis tied Haynes for the Talent award.

This was Haynes' second year to compete in the Miss Teen Louisiana-America system. The system is conducted by local Miss America-system local franchise holders and is modeled after the Miss America Pageant. The system emphasizes scholarships and community service. Thousands of dollars are awarded to runners-up and award winners. Community service is encouraged through the platform issue where a contestant is required to research, speak, promote and participate in a critical issue area of her choosing. After crowning, this "platform issue" becomes her focal point as she travels the state.

Like the Miss America system, Teen Louisiana contestants compete in four categories: Interview (30%), Talent (40%), Swimsuit (15%), and Evening Wear (15%).

Many former Teen Louisiana titleholders have gone on to rank well in later Miss Louisiana competitions. The newly crowned 2001 Miss Louisiana, Katie Guyton, is a former Teen Louisiana titleholder and four of the 2001 Miss Louisiana "Top Ten" were former Teen Louisiana participants.

The 2001 Teen Louisiana titleholder is a junior honor student at West Monroe High School. She was twice elected class president and is active in student government.

Haynes has been featured entertainer for the Miss Louisiana-America Pageant as well as the Miss Louisiana USA, Miss South Carolina USA and Miss North Carolina USA pageant productions. She has appeared on the annual Cerebral Palsey Telethon and is a frequent entertainer at charity, civic and religious events around the state.

This Teen Louisiana titleholder is well-known for her association with the Monroe Little Theatre where she was 'Scout' in 'To Kill A Mockingbird" (age six); 'Cinderella' in the musical adaptation of "Cinderella" (age 13); and 'Esther' in the 2000 musical production of "Meet Me In St. Louis" for which she won a Best Actress Award. In addition, Courtney Haynes played the lead in the 1994 Cottonland Christmas musical "Annie" which boasted 40 performances and raised over $40,000 for the Little Theatre.

Haynes was a Junior Vocalist champion on Ed McMahon's nationally televised "Star Search" in 1994 when she was nine years old. She won singing the vocal selection "I'll Be There" made popular by Michael Jackson and re-recorded by Mariah Carey.

Haynes plans to pursue a career as a professional entertainer. She would also like to graduate from a major four-year university with a degree in entertainment law or broadcast journalism.