HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVTMiss Pahrump contestants work out a routine at the Nugget Showroom. HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVTMiss Pahrump contestants work out a routine at the Nugget Showroom. HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVTMiss Pahrump contestants work out a routine at the Nugget Showroom. HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVTMiss Pahrump contestants work out a routine at the Nugget Showroom. Advertisement

The 31st annual Miss Pahrump Pageant competition will take place Saturday, Aug. 4, at 6:30 p.m. at the Pahrump Nugget. The pageant was founded by Ray Wulfenstein in 1976 as a competition for rodeo queen. In 2002, it was changed to Miss Pahrump with a college scholarship as the prize for the selected queen.

This go-round's contestants are Ashley Payton, Avery Moen, Devin Arceo, Aubrey John, Chelsea Beckett, Tiffany Leavitt, Sara Moser, Chaelene Jones, and Jill Wulfenstein.

They must have a high grade-point average and will be judged on their poise, modeling skills, style and appeal, and photogenic qualities.

The pageant's executive board, Debra Bowman, Pam Larmouth, and Selena Gibbs, will be scheduling public appearances, attendance at the Governor's Ball in Virginia City and assist the queen on working her platform. The selected queen will spend the year at opening appearances, parades, and Fall Festival participation here by helping performers as well as opening all rodeos.

The pageant actually began in June with a day trip, pool party, pageant workshops and more for 21 hours a week. Practices began in July with four hours a day for two weeks, then the final one for eight hours. Pageant winner for 2004, Michelle Wulfenstein, 2005, Amber Shields, and 2006, Devyn Moen helps Larmouth with the choreography of the dances, entrances and exits from the stage, as well as overall assistance with the practices.

Tiffany Leavitt advised that "my platform is to improve the skate park and make it more family oriented." A sister participated in the pageant and it seemed like fun to Tiffany, so she decided to try it. "It will help me gain confidence and make new friends," she said. Leavitt plans to become a registered nurse and enjoys reading, cycling, ATVs, and motorcycles.

Chaelene Jones planned her platform around "showing more support to our troops overseas." She also knows previous participants, which helped her decide to try it out. "We just help each other out," she said.

Jones is home-schooled by her grandmother, Sharon Purcel. Jones said, "It really helps because it's structured and becomes a routine part of the day. It also helps with life skills."

Devyn Moen, 2006 winner, related that "participation in the Governor's Ball was exceptionally nice. We wore Victorian gowns and it was held at the Virginia City Opera House. I was the only attendee from southern Nevada. I love participating in pageants and did Cinderella as well as others. I like meeting new girls."

She wouldn't mind being the pageant director someday.

"Thanks, Mom (Pam Moen), for all your help by making my costumes, taking me to practice and so much more. Come watch everyone -- you are sure to enjoy it."

Larmouth said, "It is important for teenaged girls to have a worthwhile activity that will allow them to meet others, strive for excellence and gain knowledge of their community and its concerns."

The Nugget is the pageant's new venue. Tickets are on sale now with regular seating at $10 and VIP seating $15. Tickets can be purchased from any contestants or at Decadence Day Spa on Postal Road.

The pageant receives support from the town board and many community businesses.

If you have questions about the pageant, Larmouth can be reached at 702-354-6053.