KC Queen talks to Lions about Miss Texas Pageant

Bob Elzey, Lions Club President, puts new decals on the brand new eyeglass drop off box. The box is located at the front of the Lions Club Building located at the corner of Kay and Rusk Streets. The Lions need donations of used eyeglasses. Do drop yours off in the box anytime of day.

Jennifer Denay Turner, 19, from LaPorte will represent Kilgore College in the upcoming Miss Texas Pageant. She spoke to the Lions Club on Thursday.

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

Jennifer said she is excited to be representing the college and the Rangerettes in the competition on June 28. "I will be competing against 39 other girls from various organizations around the State of Texas for the honor," said Jennifer.

If she wins the crown, Turner will face a difficult decision: she would 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 than even I expected, but I have to take doors as they open up for me."

Jennifer wil be doing community service work as part of her requirements for the Miss Texas Pageant, like the trash pickup she did for "Make Kilgore Shine" this past Saturday.

She said her platform for the competition she has chosen is youth obesity. "I have planned different fund raisers for this cause in the next few weeks," said Jennifer.

Persons who wish to donate to the Miracle Network or to help Jennifer offset expenses for the Miss Texas Pageant can do so by contacting Erin Oian, pageant director for Jennifer at (903) 239-2844, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or e-mail her at eoian@kilgore. edu.

Jennifer has a goal of $500 for the Children's Miracle Network.

The Miss Texas Pageant will consist of an evening gown competition, swimsuit competition, talent competition and her platform to 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."

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 and, 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.