One pair of blue jeans may not mean much to most teenagers,
but for Courtney Haynes, Miss Teen Louisiana 2001, that article of clothing
shaped the rest of her life.
While a sixth grader, Haynes family experienced a financial
crisis, and she was left with just one pair of jeans to wear the entire year.
One pair of blue jeans may not mean much to most teenagers,
but for Courtney Haynes, Miss Teen Louisiana 2001, that article of clothing
shaped the rest of her life.
While a sixth grader, Haynes family experienced a financial
crisis, and she was left with just one pair of jeans to wear the entire year.
“Before that, I was a cheerleader, popular and well-off,”
says Haynes, a member at First Baptist Church of West Monroe. “I lost everything,
and thats when I started to realize it wasnt about the way I looked
but the hero thats inside me.”
That time in Haynes life inspired her to develop the
“Hero Inside” program, which was her platform during the Miss Teen
Louisiana Pageant. The program is designed to instill self-esteem and confidence
in young students as they face challenges in their teenage years.
Only 16-years-old, Haynes has accomplished more than most girls
her age.
Haynes resume includes starring as “Scout”
in “To Kill A Mockingbird” as early as 6 years old and winning a round
of Ed McMahons famous entertainment program “Star Search.”
However, her talent almost went undiscovered, a 1994 Baptist
Message article relates.
“I discovered her ability by accident one day when she
came in my room and said, Daddy, come listen to what I can do, ”
her father, David, said in the article. “She got a musical tape of Stormy
Weather and sang along with it.”
In fact, Haynes won the talent award for singing “Stormy
Weather” during last years Miss Teen Louisiana pageant.
Time is valuable to Haynes, who misses one day of school each
week. She speaks to an average of five to six schools those days she is absent
from classes at West Monroe High School.
Since she won the crown, Haynes has traveled more than 15,000
miles and has been away from home every weekend since June. Add to that her
school activities, which include historian of the Key Club and secretary of
the Student Council and the Fellowship of Christian Students, and Haynes barely
has enough time to sleep.
However, Haynes says she enjoys the busy life.
“Its been hard doing homework, and my grades have
suffered, as I made a B recently,” explains Haynes, who attributes her
love for busyness to her outgoing personality.
Despite her demanding schedule, Haynes says she always leaves
time for Christ. In addition to her involvement in the choir at First Baptist
Church of West Monroe, Haynes is scheduled to participate in the FAITH evangelism
program shortly.
When she visits schools, Haynes is limited in what she can
say about her faith. But she makes it clear whenever possible at other speaking
engagements that God is her hero.
Could Haynes win the Miss Louisiana Pageant in the near future?
Though rules prohibit her from entering until she is the proper
age, Haynes has a decent shot at the crown if last years Miss Louisiana
competition is any indication.
Last years winner, Katie Guyton, is a former Miss Teen
Louisiana, and four of the “Top Ten” finishers in the pageant were
former Miss Teen Louisiana participants.
Lue Napper, vice-president/treasurer of the Miss Teen Louisiana
board of trustees, says Haynes has an excellent chance of winning Miss Louisiana
when she reaches the right age, since most of the females who win the crown
are in their early 20s.
“Shes about as talented a girl as youll ever
hear sing,” he notes.
One day, Haynes says she hopes to graduate from a major university
with a degree in entertainment law or broadcast journalism and to pursue a career
as a professional entertainer.
But for now, she is focusing on her one true hero, Jesus Christ.