Marisela Avitia crowned 2011 Miss Carson City

Marisela Avitia, an 18-year-old home-schooled student, was crowned Miss Carson City on Saturday, winning the hearts and votes of the judges during the 2011 pageant at the community center.

The statuesque platinum blonde said after the pageant that she was "flabbergasted and honored," and that she was eager to start her year.

"I'm excited to further my platform, 'Healthy for Life: Promoting Positive Choices for Food, Fitness and Fun,'" she said. "I'm going to go into schools and talk to all the kids so I can get them excited to be healthy."

First runner-up was Tiffany Leonard, an 18-year-old University of Nevada, Reno student whose platform was Al-Anon Family Groups.

Avitia accepted the crown and sash from last year's reigning Miss Carson City, Jessica Shull. Avitia won a $1,000 scholarship and the chance to compete for Miss Nevada in July.

Jordan Lamoreaux, a 13-year-old Carson Middle School student, was crowned Miss Outstanding Teen Carson City with her platform, Investing in the Arts.

Lamoreaux was crowned by the 2010 Miss Outstanding Teen Carson City Diana Sweeney. She wins a $500 scholarship.

Shalynn Swails, a 17-year-old Douglas High School student, was named Miss Douglas County. She also won a $1,000 scholarship and also will compete for the state crown this summer.

"I want to represent my platform 'Driver Safety,'" she said. "My cousin Tom died in an accident 10 years ago when he was 17, so now that I'm his age, I want to get the word out there, even if it's something as simple as buckling up."

Swails was crowned by Miss Douglas County 2010 Katherine Crowe.

First runner-up was Danielle Lorntzen, a 17-year-old DHS student with her platform, Behind Closed Doors.

A 17-year-old DHS student, Leah Walters, was named Miss Outstanding Teen Douglas County, with her platform, Color our World Drug Free - Stand Tall Don't Fall.

Walters was crowned by 2010 Miss Outstanding Teen Douglas County Bailey Gumm. She wins a $500 scholarship.

Suthida "Bo" Khongkhatitham, an 18-year-old Douglas High School student, was named Miss Congeniality. Her platform was Big Brother Big Sister.

All the contestants competed in on-stage questions, swimsuit, talent and evening wear competitions during the of the program. Each young woman also was interviewed by the judges prior to the public program.

Other contestants in the Miss Carson City pageant and their platforms were:

• Angela Cannon, a 17-year-old Carson High School student, Outreaching the Whole Community.

• Vannesa Macias, a 22-year-old Western Nevada College and UNR student, Education: The Key to Success.

• Lela Branstetter, a 17-year-old Pioneer High School student, Relay for Life: Cancer Awareness and Research.

Other contestants in the Miss Douglas County pageant and their platforms were:

• Brynn Garrett, an 18-year-old WNC student, Teaching Tolerance.

• Jordyn Curtis, a 19-year-old WNC student, Breast Cancer Awareness.

Other contestants in the Miss Outstanding Teen Contests and their platforms were:

• Tia Leonard, 14-year-old CHS student, Step Up.

• Tristin Silva, 16-year-old DHS student, Advocates to End Domestic Violence.

Pageant Executive Director Shauna Bartshe, said she takes a lot of pride in the program.

"When some of the girls were asked why they participated in the pageant, it warmed my heart when they said they found out what the Miss America Pageant was really all about besides the scholarship money," Bartshe said. "They liked the program, working with the community and meeting new people."