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America’s National Teenager Scholarship Organization Greets Two New Titleholders

photo provided Meet Erika Evarts: Miss Vermont National Teenager and Chelsea Grant: Miss Vermont National Sweetheart. A pair of Vermonters, best of friends, they are starting a busy year seeing and traveling their home state.

Tuesday April 12, 2011

By Cookie Steponaitis

   For Erika Evarts and Chelsea Grant, the spring, summer and their upcoming senior year will be anything but ordinary. Selected by a panel of judges for their grades, community service and school leadership, Erika and Chelsea were awarded the titles of Miss Vermont Outstanding Teenager and Miss Vermont Sweetheart for 2011 respectively. Both girls will compete in the national level competitions in Miami, Florida in July and will spend their senior year touring Vermont and speaking to groups about the uniqueness of this state and their own personal platforms of Thyroid Cancer and Arterial Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).
Catching up with the teens at Bixby Library on Tuesday night, it was quite evident that their year had started with a bang. Both girls have four-five public speaking appearances in the month of April as well as fundraising events to help raise the funds needed to go to Miami in July. America’s National Teenager Scholarship Organization (ANTSO) Vermont Director Lindsay Gallison remarked, “Having been where they are now, it is exciting to see a new group start out their year. You learn not only how to plan ahead, but to enjoy each day and each new event you are a part of. Vermonters are a welcoming group and these girls will be privileged over the year to really learn about their state and the people that make it tick.”

   Vermont’s Outstanding Teenager Erika Evarts is a junior at VUHS and is quite frank about being a girl much more suited for the outdoors and the farm than on a stage or in formal wear. “I enjoy getting dolled up on occasion,” stated Erika, “but I’m truly at home in a pair of Carhartts and work boots. I am a farm girl. I look forward to showing my Belgian mare Macey and my Holstein calf Sienna at Addison County Field Days this summer.” While Erika might take lightly the dressing formally part of her new job, she is serious about her platform on Arterial Lateral Sclerosis and its impact on a beloved family member and the Addison County Community.  “My platform is a direct result of and in memory of my uncle, Ken Van De Weert, who persevered no matter how great the struggle. His tremendous heart and love for both family and agriculture inspired me to be the person I am today. In his honor I will work to raise funds and awareness about ALS and how much he fought against its devastating impact on his life.” With a year that includes competitions at the National Scholarship Program in Miami, over a hundred appearances and a senior year as well, Erika is well aware that as busy as she will be, this is a unique and incredible opportunity. “I look forward to traveling to different events throughout the state and making friends as I go and learning more about our state through this outstanding opportunity,” smiled Erika. “I have lived in the same house since I was born, and I am overjoyed that I will have the opportunity to branch out and visit so many new places across our great state.”

   Joining her in this incredible year is Chelsea Grant, the newly crowned Vermont’s Sweetheart. Chelsea is a junior at VUHS and also a teenager at home in the outdoors of Vermont and brings to the position a deep appreciation of the uniqueness of Vermont’s heritage with the land, hunting, fishing, and working with the environment. “Most people would probably be very surprised,” shared Chelsea “to know that I have grown up learning how to work on a farm and to butcher with my cousins and uncle. In addition to hunting, fishing and working with farm equipment, I love animals and nature with a passion. I am very proud to be a fourth generation Vermonter and one who is strongly tied to the traditions involving the land and animals.” As she travels the state, Chelsea will be also talking about another passion of hers which is educating people and raising funds for the treatment and research of Thyroid Cancer. “My mother has Thyroid Cancer and has been free of it for four years now. However, she has been undergoing scans and we are hopeful that it is not reoccurring. Cancer takes so much from so many that we need to help find ways to stop it.” While Chelsea’s head is still swimming with all of the details of the coming year she is looking forward to getting to see much more of the state she calls home. “To be able to see more of Vermont and just meet people is an incredible gift,” she remarked. “I can’t wait to get started.”

   In the coming weeks and months both Erika and Chelsea will be traveling all over the state and the county fundraising for nationals, speaking to groups and just plain getting to know the people and uniqueness of the state they call their home. If you see them in their formal attire just remember that with one wave of the hand it can all change, and in their work boots and farm clothing, these two Future Farmers of America members can milk, chop, bale and ride with the best of the them.  Representing another generation waiting to take their place in the proud traditions of Vermont’s heritage of agriculture, animal husbandry and use of the land, Chelsea and Erika wear many hats proudly. Their newest are crowns and their sashes read Vermont’s Outstanding Teenager and Vermont’s Sweetheart, but for both Erika and Chelsea the key word is VERMONT, a unique and special place they proudly call home.

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