POINT PLEASANT — It was a trip she will never forget and an experience she will always carry with her.

Rachel Ayers, Miss Teen West Virginia United States, recently returned from her trip to compete in the National Miss Teen United States Pageant held at The Orleans in Las Vegas, Nev. She recalls her trip as crazy, interesting and different.

The craziness began even before Ayers made it to Vegas. Since she had so much to pack, she had to send her entire competition wardrobe ten days before the pageant and her other clothes a couple of days before she left. Once she checked in her Vegas hotel, her gown and other competition outfits had made it, but her other clothes had not. Eventually, they did turn up and she was able to breathe a sign of relief as well as take in some of the scenery.

“I didn’t have the chance to do much sightseeing,” Ayers said. She was in rehearsal each day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. She did however get to make some appearances out on the town with the other state contestants and enjoy some great photo opportunities with her crown and sash.

Once the pageant begun, Ayers was in her zone. She said that she “loved being on stage.” After competing in preliminaries including opening number, Super Model with Style, swimsuit and evening gown, it was time for the Top 6 to be announced. Miss Teen West Virginia was announced as one of the finalists.

“I was the third one called for Top 6. I was really happy,” Ayers said.

During the pageant, Ayers really enjoyed getting to know the other contestants. She mentioned how she enjoyed ‘Ball Gowns and Bowling’, an event where she and the other contestants wore floor length gowns and bowling shoes and did their best at bowling. She currently stays in contact with some of the other contestants on the Internet.

Competing in Vegas was just a bonus for this Point Pleasant native. As Miss Teen West Virginia United States, Ayers travels to numerous fairs and events as visiting royalty and even visits local schools to promote her platform. She has been to the Cabell County Fair, Cancer Walk in Barboursville and is looking forward to going to Charleston to attend Ribfest. At elementary schools, Ayers talks with children and teachers about bullying and harassment and ways to prevent it, as well as what signs to look for. She also discusses ways to help someone who is being bullied or harassed.

This 16 year old has had previous experience in pageants before. Ayers is the reigning Miss Barboursville Fall Fest Teen, a title that she won before the West Virginia title. In 2007, she held the title of Teen Miss Pumpkin Festival. She has plans to stay active in the pageant world, but she cannot compete for any titles while she is the state representative.

What does the future hold for this teen queen? Ayers is currently enrolled in Keystone National High School, a rigorous online program where she maintains a 4.0 grade point average. After she graduates, she would like to pursue a Broadcast Journalism Degree at Emerson College in Boston and has dreams of being on the Today Show.

Ayers is the daughter of Eddy and Laloni Ayers of Point Pleasant.