KC Queen "Makes Kilgore shine", looks forward to Miss Texas Pageant

News Herald Photo by Lester Murray Jennifer Denay Turner helps clean up Nolen St. on Saturday as part of "Make Kilgore Shine". The Rangerette took time out of her busy schedule with Revels going on this week to do the community service. Jennifer was supported by her family during the event, with her sister Jillian helping out. Jennifer wil be starting her sophomore year after this semester and will be trying out for Rangerette Officer.

Jennifer Denay Turner, 19, from LaPorte will be representing Kilgore College in the upcoming Miss Texas Pageant.

Turner, an elementary education major at KC, is also a member of the 68th Rangerette Line.

Jennifer said she is excited to be representing not just KC, but the Rangerettes as well in the competition on June 28. "I will be competing against 39 other girls form various organizations around the State of Texas for the honor," said Jennifer.

Jennifer may be faced with a very hard decision however. If she wins Miss Texas she will have to leave the Rangerettes to assume her duties as Miss Texas.

"I look forward to the challenge no matter how things turn out," said Jennifer. "Being a Rangerette has been far more then even I expected, but I have to take doors as they open up for me."

Jennifer has to do community service work as part of her requirements for the Miss Texas Pageant, so Saturday she volunteered as part of a team to "Make Kilgore Shine."

"My team consists of Karol Pruett, assistant to the president of KC, Erin Oian, Rangerette Dorm supervisor and a employee of Zwick Management and her little sister, Jillian Turner, 11, who is a middle school student in LaPorte," said Jennifer.

Jennifer said she has to have a platform for the competition and she has chosen youth obesity. "I have planned different fund raisers for this cause in the next few weeks."

The money Jennifer raises will go to the Children's Miracle Network.

The Miss Texas Pageant will consist of an evening gown competition, swimsuit competition, talent competition and of course Jennifer's platform will be presented at the Miss Texas Pageant. "Dr. Holda has been very supportive of my efforts," said Jennifer. "The college and the Rangerettes are behind me all the way."

Jennifer said she can't predict the future as far as the pageant is concerned, but if she wins Miss Texas she will go on to compete in the Miss America Pageant in January of 2009. "If I don't win I will have had the opportunity to compete and meet many new people, of course finish out my time as a Rangerette," said Jennifer. "I hope to go on to complete my education either at the University of North Texas or Texas Women's University."

Jennifer is the daughter of Orlando and Tina Turner and has two brothers, Jonathon, 23 and Jeremiah, 15.