Cindy May Harmell of Ann Arbor, MI recently came in seventh in a field of ten for her state's "Miss Popularity" contest, prompting her to dismiss the pageant as "one massive popularity contest" in a recent interview on a local talk show.
The contest, which asks the teenaged girls to answer three questions about current events, present a speech about their personal goals and ambitions, and perform in a talent contest (Ms. Harmell juggled stuffed animals), was held last month.
Ms. Harmell said that many of the contestants were chosen because "they were popular with the judges and the audience, and not for any other reason." She then added "don't get me going on the final choices. I think they were just picked because people liked them" when she appeared on the local "Live with Damien and Kristy Sue" TV show.
Ms. Harmell isn't giving up on the pageant circuit and hopes to compete in her state's "Ms. Best Dressed Teen" later this month, though she said she doesn't plan on getting too "decked out" for the whole thing.
