Pageant News Bureau - Lauren Stockton

Double duty

Photos by Joe Whiteko / PNB

Lauren Stockton did more than just stand there.

The day a beauty queen's reign comes to an end, she usually doesn't have much to do. She's supposed to say farewell, thank everybody she can think of, crown her successor and then fade from the spotlight with a big smile.

Lauren Stockton, Miss Alabama Teenager 2002, found herself in a slightly different situation on a March afternoon in 2003. The blond Auburn University student showed up to put the crown on the new queen's head, but she found more than one head in need of a crowning.

On this somewhat historic day, the Miss Alabama Teenager and Miss Georgia Teenager competitions were taking place on the same stage. And because the most recent Miss Georgia Teenager had given up the title because of other obligations, the Peach State title was vacant. Ms. Stockton did the honors for two states.

She placed a tiara atop the auburn tresses of Donna Miller, the newly crowned Miss Alabama Teenager 2003. She also set a tiara on the brunette locks of Jessica Brown, Miss Georgia Teenager 2003.

Roy Jordan stands with Jessica Brown (left) and Donna Miller

Pageant director Roy Jordan stands with his new winners, Jessica Brown (left) and Donna Miller

What does this mean in the great scheme of things? It means that Ms. Stockton is the official crowner of two different girls, who must compete against each other at the Miss Teen United States Pageant in Orlando. To add a further complication, Ms. Stockton is originally from Georgia, so both winners are her "home girls."

You will be hearing more about Ms. Miller and Ms. Brown, in the world of pageants and on the pages of PNB. But for now, reflect on the situation of Lauren Stockton. Does she root for Donna? Does she root for Jessica? It's a tough choice.

What would you do?