Heidi Cook of Austin was recently selected to participate in the Nationals’ 2008 Miss Teen Minneapolis/St. Paul pageant competition Aug. 17. She learned of her acceptance into this year’s competition as Nationals, Inc. announced her selection on Monday afternoon.

Cook submitted an application and took part in an interview session conducted by Patty Neidert, this year’s Minneapolis/St. Paul Pageant Coordinator.

Cook will be competing for her share of thousands of dollars in prizes and specialty gifts that will be distributed to contestants. She will be competing in the Miss Teen division, one of four divisions in which girls between the ages of 7 and 19 will compete in modeling routines including casual and formal wear. Most importantly, Cook will display her personality and interviewing skills while interviewing with this year’s Minneapolis/St. Paul judging panel. Personality is the No. 1 aspect that each contestant is judged on during all phases of the competition.

If she were to win the title of Miss Teen Minneapolis/St. Paul, she would represent Minneapolis/St. Paul and the surrounding communities at the Cities of America National Competition that will take place in Orlando, Fla. More than $60,000 in prizes and awards will be presented at the National Competition while each winner enjoys this expense-paid trip of five nights and six days in Orlando.

Any business, organization or private individual who may be interested in becoming a sponsor to Heidi may contact her pageant coordinator, Patty Neidert, at (800) 569-2487.

(Editor’s note: This article was re-printed to include a photo.)