HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT Sixteen-year-old singer Jill Wulfenstein was stunned as she realized she was the one being talked about -- Miss Pahrump 2007. She was crowned at the Nugget Saturday evening. HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT Moments after being crowned, Jill Wulfenstein was joined by, at right, older sister Michelle Wulfenstein, Miss Pahrump 2004, and at left, Devyn Moen, last year's winner. HORACE LANGFORD JR. / PVT During practice prior to the big night contestants, from left, Sara Moser, Tiffany Leavitt and Chaelene Jones go through through their paces. All contestants competed in sportswear, talent and formal wear during the public pageant at the Nugget. Advertisement

The Miss Pahrump Pageant held Saturday night at the Pahrump Nugget was both full of excitement as well as emotion and apprehension.

Masters of ceremonies Jeff Hammer and Kathy Campbell built suspense and wonderment with every contestant's introduction. The nine hopefuls completed their competitions with talent and determination.

Jill Wulfenstein, chosen as 2007 Miss Pahrump Queen was crowned by her 2006 predecessor, Devyn Moen.

The moment was so overwhelming that, with tears flowing, Wulfenstein wondered aloud, "Did they call my name? I can't believe it. I'm just so surprised. Wow."

She will be given a $500 scholarship by Wulfenstein Construction. The other contestants will also be given gifts.

The new queen's grandmother, Irene Wulfenstein was full of smiles and excitement as the winner was announced. Over the years, she said, her daughters had participated in the annual competition but were never chosen -- until this past Saturday evening.

"It was a very beautiful pageant," she said. "It's just wonderful that Jill won. It's great."

First runner-up Devin Arceo said "It's going to be such a fun year. I can't wait to get started."

Arceo will be required to step in whenever Queen Wulfenstein can't fulfill her duties.

Second runner-up Tiffany Leavitt, brimming with excitement and wonder, said, "I'm really excited, I didn't expect so much."

She must fill in as well, should the queen and first runner-up not be available to fulfill a requirement.

Prior to the entry of the contestants, the audience was entertained with a group of dancers led by Moen. During their introductions to the audience and judges, each contestant stated her community platforms, which ranged from support for the Make a Wish Foundation to efforts to beautify Pahrump.

While a few competitions were held behind closed doors, there were three still to be completed Saturday evening: sportswear, talent and formal.

Each contestant was required to design an outfit she would wear to attend a sports event, demonstrate her chosen talent and finally select a formal outfit for evening wear.

1. Ashley Payton selected: black jeans, white shirt, black polka dot jacket and black purse for sportswear. She offered a clarinet performance of "Battle of Jericho." Her formal outfit: blue, low-cut, backless, sleeveless and shimmering gown with hair pulled back.

2. Avery Moen selected: for sportswear -- long, flared, pastel pink and green stripes, white capris and white purse; she performed the monologue to "Parts" by Ted Arnold; her formal dress -- powder blue, A-line dress with spaghetti straps, backless, with silver trim; hair down with curls pulled back and accented with silver.

3. Devin Arceo: sportswear, black capri, medium blue top with white trim, a white tote-striped purse, and sunglasses. Talent: monologue of Red Riding Hood, "the real story." Formal attire: low-cut, flame-red, backless, rhinestone accented, flared dress with hair pulled back and personality curls on each side.

4. Aubrey John selected: sportswear: white T with black cap, plaid shorts with suspenders. Talent: piano, "Sonata" by Freshair. Formal: Thin-strapped, white, fitted A-line dress accented with black trim and flared bottom, hair up in roll on top.

5. Chelsea Beckett: sportswear: white knickers, white T under deep green sleeveless T; brown large tote. Talent: dance to "Shining Star" by Earth, Wind and Fire. Formal: grass green dress with flared bottom, spaghetti straps, backless, deep front, trimmed in feathers.

6. Tiffany Leavitt selected for sportswear: plaid shorts, pink top with gray trim, small, white purse. She decided to opt for the essay competition rather than talent. Her composition was directed at her platform of improving and beautifying the parks of Pahrump. Formal: coral, V-front, A-line with organdy cover; curled back panels trimmed in silver, hair pulled back in curled ponytail.

7. Sara Moser selected: sportswear: dark plaid shorts with pink embroidered top accented with long pink necklace; deep gray tote and sunglasses. Talent: monologue titled "I will be the one." Formal: spaghetti-strapped, dark green, fitted dress with flared bottom with tied organdy tail; hair up in a top bun.

8. Chaelene Jones selected for her sports outfit, denim shorts, pink print top, gray baseball style hat, red choker and black tote. Talent: singing "Hot Aura Halene." Formal: white, small straps, cross-crossed in silver trim front and back, pleated flared skirt.

9. Jill Wulfenstein's winning selections included, for sportswear, black capris, blue green print top, sunglasses and black purse. She sang "You Can't Hurry Love." Formal: black, red-trimmed, shirtwaist with drop front and high back, red accented tail; hair pulled back with long fall of near waist length.

The most photogenic selection was Tiffany Leavitt; best interview ability, a tie between Chelsea Beckett and Tiffany Leavitt; best essay, Tiffany Leavitt; most talented, Aubrey Johns; best sports attire, Devin Arceo; Miss Congeniality, Sara Moser who will receive a $75 gift certificate; best formal, three-way tie between Avery Moen, Devin Arceo, and Aubrey John.

Outgoing Miss Pahrump, Devyn Moen, showed a film of her events in 2006, ending with her farewells and thanks to all. She also performed her winning dance, "Don't Stop Moving," which was written and choreographed by her.

"Thank you for making my reign a wonderful year," she said.

Judges for the event were Garold Gardner, retired dancer on Broadway and in Los Angeles, owner of dance studios in Las Vegas and a dance instructor at UNLV.

Gardner said, "It was really hard to make selections. I thoroughly enjoyed participating. The morning activities were good, and I was impressed with their platforms; they had really done their homework. They answered all the questions very well."

Other judges with exceptional credentials included Cindy Winfield and Robert Campbell.

Gardner added that "Las Vegas' talent pool is huge and draws good entertainers. We have good talent at UNLV. What most talented people forget is that the most important thing is 'determination' not talent."

Supporters of the event were the Pahrump Nugget for providing a short-notice location at a reduced rate due to the loss of the previous location, Wulfenstein Construction, Artesia at Hafen Ranch, and Saitta-Trudeau.