Terril teen achieves goals, fares well in National American Miss pageant

(Photo by Theone Quattlebaum) Taylor Jepsen was awarded the Miss Photogenic title and named first runner-up in the Volunteer Service category of the National American Miss pageant held in Des Moines this month.

Taylor Jepsen set three goals while recovering from a car accident in Avera McKennan Hospital's pediatric intensive care unit 14 months ago: To show Lilly, her paint horse, at the 2007 Clay County Fair; to compete in the National American Miss pageant; and to ride her horse during the 2008 Clay County Fair.

What sets this 16-year-old's goals apart from others is that when she was thrown from the car driven by her friend, Tyler Anderson, on May 20, 2007, she was one centimeter away from being paralyzed from the waist down. Jepsen, who faces an incomplete spinal cord injury today, was not able to walk in February. She miraculously gained the ability back on April 26.

The daughter of Shane and Anissa Jepsen of rural Terril, meanwhile, has already achieved the first two goals she set while confined in the hospital: She won the District Senior Showmanship Class during the 2007 Clay County Fair and she competed against 54 other young women in the junior teen competition of the National American Miss pageant, held July 5 - 6 at the Des Moines Marriott.

"As you go through this pageant's competition, it prepares you for life. You get to do interviews, like what you'll do for a job. You also get to talk and socialize with people," the Graettinger/Terril High School junior said of the two-day event.

Jepsen's goal wasn't to win the pageant. Rather, it was to show how far she'd progressed over the last 14 months.

The 54 contestants from Iowa were scored on their poise and presentations in the formal wear category, their personality shown during an interview, their on-stage personal introduction and a community involvement project they'd participated in.

Jepsen, who entered the competition's photogenic, spokesmodel and actress contests, was awarded the Spirit of America award, which recognized the extra effort she gave by being involved in a variety of activities at the pageant. She was awarded the Miss Photogenic title, which carried a $250 cash prize, a crown, sash, trophy and qualification to compete in the National American Miss' national pageant, which is scheduled for Thanksgiving week in Hollywood. Jepsen received a portfolio award trophy for the four photographs she entered in the pageant's photogenic contest. The teenager was also named first runner-up in the Volunteer Service category, which focused on her efforts with the Clay County 4-H Council and her Turning the Page fund.

Jepsen described the Turning the Page fund, which is based on the pay-it-forward principle, as her way to give back to those who have helped during her ongoing recovery, as well as an opportunity to "give back to a place that did so much for me."

The onset of Turning the Page began Jepsen's campaign to fill the Avera McKennan treasure chest with teenage-friendly items. In combination with the hospital's local version of Oprah's "Big Give," which presented Jepsen with $3,500 to do as she wished with a charity of her choosing, the Terril teenager is also benefiting young patients in Spencer, Estherville and Spirit Lake hospitals with gender-specific gift packages designed to brighten their days in the hospital.

"When I was in the hospital, somebody (Sandra Sykes) brought me presents to open each day. I looked forward to that in the morning," Jepsen recalled.

Locally, the 16-year-old is active in the Conquistadors 4-H Club, serves as the Clay County 4-H Council president, and is a National Honor Society member, a basketball cheerleader, track, speech and choir participant at Graettinger/Terril High School. The Immanuel Lutheran Church youth group member also works as a receptionist at Just Teaz'N hair salon in Milford.

Jepsen, meanwhile, currently has her sights set on accomplishing the third goal she set last May: Riding Lilly during the 2008 Clay County Fair, and possibly taking part in some non-competitive games. Beyond September, her goal is to become a large animal veterinarian.