Pageant News Bureau - Miss Teen America 2000

She has pageants in her blood, probably in her genes. And most definitely in her heart.

Lacey Minchew is one of three contest-winning sisters. She's the daughter of a former beauty queen. She lives in Marietta, Ga., a town that has produced three generations of pageant stars, gorgeous models and all-around Southern sweethearts.

If you wanted to pick someone to represent the teenage girls of America, you might choose Ms. Minchew. But a panel of judges beat you to it. On July 6, 2002, in Nashville, they chose her as Miss Teen America.

This is one title that's more than a label. Miss Teen America has to be beautiful, fit, talented, smart, an eloquent speaker, an effective writer, a productive citizen. And she has to prove it by besting dozens of other outstanding young women.

Holding the title is a big responsibility, but Ms. Minchew is well prepared. She's a graduate of Pebblebrook High School for the Performing Arts, which also produced a former America's Junior Miss. She's an aspiring singer who has won honors in dance and drama.

When she starts college in the fall of 2002, she will be a member of the renowned Golden Girls of Louisiana State University, who perform at football games.

Yes, we said Louisiana State University, better known as LSU. Even as Georgia celebrates Ms. Minchew's victory, it is about to lose her to the Bayou State . . . and to family tradition. "Both my parents went to LSU, and my mother was the agricultural queen of Louisiana," she says.

Lacey Minchew is the pride of Georgia, the darling of Louisiana, the toast of America. But in one way, she's the least typical teenage girl we have ever met.

"I don't like shopping," she says. Honestly.

Miss Teen America archive

Lacey Minchew,Miss Teen America

Lacey Minchew,
Miss Teen America