By Scott Buttram
TRUSSVILLE –Hewitt-Trussville grad and South Alabama coed-to-be, Taylor Ryan Elliott, has completed her Miss Teen USA journey with a Top 15 finish after being announced to join the elite group on Saturday night.
Miss Louisiana Teen USA, Katherine Haik, claimed the 2015 crown.
“First, I want to congratulate one of my good friends, Katherina Haik, on being chosen Miss Teen USA,” Elliott told The Trussville Tribune. “She is an amazing girl and will have a wonderful year.”
Elliott said her experience on the national stage was exciting, but not without jitters as the competition played out.
“Being from Alabama, I was the first contestant to compete,” Elliott said. “Honestly, I was so nervous to be the first girl on stage. But knowing I had my family and so many people back home watching, texting, tweeting, and supporting me was very calming.”
The Top 15 finish gave Taylor Ryan a sense of accomplishment that all of her hard work had paid off, she said.
“Although I did not go home with the crown, I went home with so much more,” Elliott said. “I had an unbelievable amount of love and support from my home state and that means the most to me. I have loved representing Alabama and Trussville this year and I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Elliott is enrolled in the university of South Alabama where she will study chemical engineering. She will crown her successor on November 7.
“Until then, I will continue to represent my state to the best of my ability,” Elliott said.
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