Sunday, August 23, 2009
Miss Teen USA 2003, the 21st Miss Teen USA pageant, was televised live from Palm Springs on 12 August 2003. At the conclusion of the final competition, Miss Oregon Teen USA Tami Farrell was crowned by outgoing queen Vanessa Semrow of Wisconsin.
Prior to the live telecast, the 51 contestants competed in a preliminary presentation show where they were judged in swimsuits and evening gowns. Scores from this judging determined the top 15 for the final competition.
This was the first year that the pageant was held in Palm Springs, which would later host Miss Teen USA 2004 and Miss Teen USA 2006. The pageant location was announced on 17 July 2003. On 23 July 2003 it was announced that Jessica Simpson and Justin Guarini would appear as musical guests during the pageant. The event was hosted by Mario Lopez and Brooke Burns.
Farrell was the third titleholder from Oregon, the only state to win more than one Miss Teen USA.
The runners-up were:
1st runner-up: Alicia Selby (Tennessee)
2nd runner-up: Alicia Jaros (Michigan)
3rd runner-up: Jacqueline Bruno (Massachusetts)
4th runner-up: Jacklyn Pezzotta (New Jersey)
The following contestants made the top ten, competing in both swimsuit and evening gown: Brittany Ann Jackson (Alaska), Camille Peraro (Hawaii), Amanda Nunneley (Kentucky), Marisa Field (North Dakota), Jasmine Jorgenson (Washington)
The following contestants made the top fifteen, competing in the evening gown competition: Jami Stallings (Indiana), Alyssa Cook (Iowa), Ashley Alden (Maine), Nikki Carver (Oklahoma), Tye Felan (Texas)
Awards
Miss Congeniality: Tami Farrell (Oregon)
Miss Photogenic: Jacklyn Pezzotta (New Jersey)
