HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT A stunned Devyn Moen takes it all in as she is named Miss Pahrump for 2006. She accepted the crown from the 2005 winner, Amber Shields, at the climax of Saturday night's pageant at the Saddle West. HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT Miss Pahrump 2006 is flanked by her court, at left, Breanna Andes, first attendant, and at right Devin Arceo and Amanda Stewart, second attendant. Advertisement

When the Miss Pahrump Pageant began in 1976 and Marina Hennigh claimed the inaugural title of "queen," she won by selling the most tickets to the Harvest Festival rodeo that year.

Fast forward 30 years to 2006 when reigning queen Amber Shields turned over her crown Saturday night at the Saddle West to the new Miss Pahrump, Devyn Moen, 15. Different times have called for up-to-date skills more in sync with the world's changing values.

Now it's the "Fall" Festival, "harvesting" in Pahrump having become a distant echo from the valley's receding agricultural past. And the pageant's glamour these days -- for the contestants anyway -- plainly rests with the fashion modeling and themed performance skits, which were on display Saturday night (the other portions of the contest having been conducted earlier).

The pageant has evolved in how the 12 girls competing for the crown present themselves and are judged: a written essay on a solution to a community problem; photogenic (submitted photograph) contest; interview skills (responses evaluated); formal wear modeling; sportswear modeling; thematic modeling and the talent contest.

"I placed in the top three in all the competitions," said Moen after coming out on top with the highest in the averaged scoring in all seven categories in Saturday night's big event.

Moen tied with Breanna Andes (who was named the new queen's First Attendant) for first place in interview skills, and with Devin Arceo for first place in talent (Arceo will take over as Second Attendant).

"I was really nervous," said Moen after winning the crown.

The thing she is most looking forward to is attending the Governor's Ball in October in Carson City, following the Nevada Day parade. "We'll wear big poofy gowns and learn Victorian dances," she said.

The other thing she said she looks forward to is next year's Miss Pahrump Pageant, when she'll "pass on the torch" to the next winner.

Asked what she thinks is inculcated in the girls as the most lasting result from participating in the pageant, Moen said, "I believe the pageant teaches girls how to carry themselves with elegance and grace in the community. I think it also teaches interview skills that will help us with jobs in the future."

Moen said it was "quite a bit of work" preparing for the pageant, "putting together all your outfits and practicing your modeling."

Moen plans to pursue a medical career, either as an orthodontist or physical therapist, she said.

"This is my third year in the pageant," said Moen. "My sister is going to do it next year. As you continue in the pageant, you get better and better. I had a lot of help from my family and friends."

Losing the contest, as Moen experienced twice before, was never disappointing to her, she said, because all the girls become close friends from the hours of practicing together and they wish each other well. Moen looked upon the contest as a learning experience, she said.

To prepare for the pageant, Moen said she spent about four hours each weekday for three weeks practicing her routines.

Last year's queen Amber Shields is a close personal friend, Moen said, as is Miss Pahrump 2004, Michelle Wulfenstein. Moen offered a special thanks to Amber and her mom Lori "for all their help and support."

Moen's first official duty coming up in late September will be somewhat less than glamorous -- it's judging the ugliest dog contest at the Fall Festival, said the new Miss Pahrump.