Waipahu Teen Crowned Princess In Pageant At Leeward CC

Held at Leeward Community College Theatre Feb. 23, the Miss Hawaii United States Pageant presented crowns and titles in six separate competitions under its sponsorship, plus a special surprise Miss Hawaii Princess crown to Chevelle Benitz of Waipahu (sitting, with pageant performer Mac Morris). The 2013 queens include (back, from left) Miss Pre-Teen Za'Mya Artis of the North Shore, Miss Teen Sarah Champayn Look of Waipahu, Ms. Hawaii Michelle Tkatch of Mililani, Miss Hawaii Lauren Hickey of Hawaii Island, Miss Jr. Teen LonDyn Sydney Look of Waipahu and Little Miss Hawaii Shayla Carvahlo of Ewa Beach. Photo from Wendy Lea Talaroc.

Considered “the largest and fastest-growing pageant system,” the Miss Hawaii United States Pageant recently crowned six queens at Leeward Community College, and announced a special category of Miss Hawaii Princess United States 2013.

The seventh crown was placed on Waipahu teenager Chevelle Benitz.

According to Wendy Lea Talaroc, pageant officials first met Benitz at Shriners Hospital for Children, where “she touched their hearts with her dream to become a princess.” Now 13, Benitz has spastic quadriparesis, dystonia, hypertonia and acquired thoracolumbar kyphosis.

“She is a great inspiration to everyone,” Talaroc said, “showing that no matter what, your dreams can still come true.” Benitz will be attending several appearances and community service events with her sister queens during the year.

Other area contestants winning titles at the Feb. 23 event were Shayla Carvahlo of Ewa Beach, and LonDyn Sydney Look and Sarah Champayn Look of Waipahu.

The pageant organization is seeking entries for the 2014 pageant for their new seventh category, which honors those with disabilities and a dream to became a queen (ages 8 to 55 years old). Send nominations and inspiring stories, along with a photograph, to Miss Hawaii United States Pageant “My Dream,” P.O. Box 317, Pearl City HI 96782.