Oct. 23, 2006
 
Chelsea Lynn Welch Crowned Miss West Virginia Teen USA
 
By Chris Spencer
Huntington News Network Photographer
 
Flatwoods, WV (HNN) — Chelsea Lynn Welch from West Union, WV is the new Miss West Virginia Teen USA 2007. She received the crown at the Days Inn Conference Center on Sunday, Oct. 22, 2006 after three days of competition against 88 other teen contestants.
 
The teens competed in interview, swimsuit and evening gown before a standing room only crowd at the conference center. The pageant runs with the Miss West Virginia USA Pageant with each set of contestants taking their turn in each competition area.
 

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Miss Welch said, "Having confidence and having God on my side. He really helped me tonight."
 
"This is the first time I have been to this pageant. I didn't think I would get in the top fifteen. This is such a blessing."
 
Miss Welch is a junior at Doddridge County High School. With the win she will advance to compete in the national 2007 Miss Teen USA Pageant.
 
"I am going to work out really hard and get my abbs good. I want to represent West Virginia the best that I can,” she said.
 
"Thank you to everyone that has helped me. It is such a blessing. I am so excited right now."
 
Her ambitions are to go in the medical field and work on finding a cure for cancer or find work in the law field.
 
Jamie Danielle Chapman from Sutton received first runner-up nod, Katie Fowler from Logan was second runner-up, Samantha Strawser was third runner-up and Micah Michael received the fourth runner-up award. Monique Brantley from Huntington was voted to receive the Miss Congeniality Award.
 
During an on stage interview when asked impromptu questions by State Director Randy Sanders one contestant said, "My cheeks hurt."
 
Sanders cleverly put his hand toward the contestants facial cheeks to indicate to the audience what cheeks he hoped she was referring to. That brought laughter from the audience.
 
Interested contestants who want to enter the Miss West Virginia USA or Miss West Virginia Teen USA should contact Sanders & Associates at 1-724-785-4648 or E-Mail at mail@pageantassociates.com