By Walter Greene

In a competitive clash of brains, scholastic achievement and beauty,
featuring 52 outstanding teen winners representing each of the United
States, 18 year-old LOGAN WEST "Miss Connecticut Teen" ran home with
the "Miss Teen USA" crown and title, at the Atlantic Resort & Casino
grand ballroom on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Logan became the 30th
"Miss Teen USA" and moved to New York, joining "Miss USA" and "Miss
Universe" as room-mates where the team travels around the world
supporting several relevant causes for a year. Logan wins among her
maNY prizes: a two year scholarship from The New York Film Academy,
evening wear and swimwear wardrobes, a year's worth of hair care
products and tools from Farouk Systems, casting opportunities and
professional representation by the Miss Universe Organization,
extensive travel opportunities representing sponsors and charitable
partners and bragging rights of being the most beautiful teenager in the
USA.

Coming in second place was 17 year-old Elizabeth Sabatino "Miss West
Virginia," in third place was popular 18 year-old Courtney Pizzimenti
"Miss Michigan." The fourth place position was taken by 17 year-old
Jessica Lee Morgan "Miss Oklahoma" while 17 year-old Kendall Mc Knight
Fein "Miss Ohio" rounded out the court of Queens in fifth place. The
"Miss Congeniality" award went to 17 year-old Karsen Woods "Miss
Vermont" which was voted by the contestants themselves and the "Miss
Photogenic" award went to Jessica Lee Morgan "Miss Oklahoma."

Logan, who hails from Southington, Connecticut edged passed her closest
rivals with a vibrant personality and an excellent on stage interview
where she spoke on the charity she formed in regards to teen bullying,
Logan spoke to over 20,000 teens in her state on bullying. Later in
New York when she appeared on one of the early morning television
shows, the teen beauty Queen spoke of her being bullied for most of her high
school life and taunted for not being `black' enough. Logan is a senior
at Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts. Her ambitions include
attending Fordham University in New York and obtaining a degree in
dance. Logan also wishes to travel with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater.
Among her other passions is obtaining a law degree and serve as a
children's lawyer specializing in divorce cases.

The pageant got underway when all 52 teens presented themselves at the
preliminary show wearing identical white chiffon, flared, mini-dresses
accessorized by one personal item. They later appeared before the distinguished panel of
judges in swimwear and evening gowns, with commentary by outgoing "Miss
Teen USA" Danielle Doty from Texas and Nick Teplitz. The excitement
reached fever pitch when they all came back the following night for the
final show, after meeting individually with the panel of judges for the
crucial one-on-one interviews. The final night was hosted NY former
"Miss Teen USA" Allie LaForce and Colin Hornett and was streamed live
with an audience of over 100,000 viewers on www.missteenusa.com.

After a quick introduction by each contestant, the 16 semi finalists
were announced. Making the top tier were the teen Queens from Alabama,
Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico,
New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Utah, West
Virginia and Wyoming. The introduction of judges, swimwear and evening
gown parades followed by a short intermission, made way for the
announcement of the top five finalist and accompaNYing interviews.
After a barrage of questions that ranged from President Obama's college
loan and plastic surgery to the Penn State/Sandusky case and social media, the top
five teens, obviously nervous stumbled through this session. A farewell
walk and speech by the outgoing Queen, heralded the announcement of the
winner and her court. A jubilant new Queen received the announcement
with joy and glee. Between a fountain of tears of joy, Logan jumped up
and down on the stage causing a part of her gown to come apart - a
truly emotional victorious reaction, not seen in may pageants.

CAPTION
Newly crowned "Miss Teen USA" Logan West being congratulated by " Miss
Universe" Leila Lopes from Angola (right) and "Miss USA" Olivia Culpo
from Rhode Island (left)