By Denise Richardson
Staff Writer
Bayla Akulin said persistence, not charm, led to her crowning the third time she competed in the Miss Otsego Teen-Ager Pageant, which was in Oneonta on Saturday.
Akulin, 18, of Oneonta, was first runner-up in last year's pageant and fourth runner-up in 2006. At the state level competition last year, where she competed under a different title, Akulin said she was inspired by meeting Shana Jaycox, Mrs. New York State 2007, who spoke about persistence and working toward a goal until it becomes an accomplishment.
"She said if you believe in yourself, you can do anything,'' Akulin said in a media release. "Persistence paid off _ this was my third time for this pageant and I believed in myself."
Akulin and five other teens competed in the 24th annual Miss Otsego Teen-Ager Pageant in Slade Theatre at Hartwick College in Oneonta.
Participants were tested in casual and formal wear and in interview sessions, said Dick Gillespie of Gillespie Pageants.
Akulin has competed in about 10 pageants, and judges Saturday complimented her on the poise she has gained, Gillespie said Monday. Of a possible 360 points, Akulin and Samantha MacDonald each earned 321, a tie that was broken by a 2-1 vote by the judges, he said.
Gillespie said ties are unusual and are decided by a judges' vote, typically unanimous. Saturday's tie heightened the suspense, he said.
Gillespie said first runner-up was Samantha MacDonald, of Oneonta; second runner-up was Daisy Murphy, of Oxford; third runner-up was Samantha Pick, of Milford; fourth runner-up was Nikita Figueroa of Otego; and fifth runner-up was Kaitlyn Ryder of Worcester.
Akulin said she wants to promote pageants to let girls know they are open to anyone. She participated in swimming and dance at OHS and is in the National Technical Honor Society through the Board of Cooperative Educational Services, she said Monday. She plans to study criminal justice, first at Herkimer County Community College and later at a four-year school.
Akulin, who works as a cashier at Hannaford Food and Drug Superstore in Oneonta, said she chose in fourth grade to use her Hebrew name, Bayla, which she was given in honor of her great-grandmother. Her last name is Russian, she said Monday night by telephone.
The Miss Otsego crown was passed to Akulin from Danielle Murphy, of Oxford, who won last year's pageant.
"Bayla is a great person _ I know she worked hard for this," Murphy said in the release. "I will do a few pageants this summer so I can compete with Bayla again at states this year."
The Miss Teen-Ager of New York pageant is in from Aug. 21 to 23 in Norwich. As part of the prize, Akulin receives a free trip to the state pageant, the release said.
Saturday's contest likely lost contestants to the Sherburne Pageant of Bands, Gillespie said, and he expects about 50 contestants at the state beauty pageant, which had about 30 participants last year.
Akulin said she has gained confidence by competing in pageants.
"It's a good opportunity," she said. "Pageants aren't just about being pretty. Pageants are opportunities to learn interviewing and public speaking skills."
Akulin said she entered the state pageant last year as Miss Leatherstocking Area and is looking forward to competing again this summer.
"It's going to be a lot of fun," she said. "I can't wait.''
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