Miss Hawaii’s Outstanding Teen is deaf and will become the first deaf person to compete in the national pageant in Orlando from August 24-28. Wailuku 14-year-old Lena Merrill says her platform would be increasing awareness about the need for quality education for deaf children. When Merrill's name was first announced as the winner of the state contest in Hawaii, her interpreter began crying and waving her hands wildly. It took a moment for Merrill to realize she had won. Among her interests: playing volleyball for her school and dancing with a Tahitian group called Tava Nui.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Teen Crowned
Miss Hawaii’s Outstanding Teen is deaf and will become the first deaf person to compete in the national pageant in Orlando from August 24-28. Wailuku 14-year-old Lena Merrill says her platform would be increasing awareness about the need for quality education for deaf children. When Merrill's name was first announced as the winner of the state contest in Hawaii, her interpreter began crying and waving her hands wildly. It took a moment for Merrill to realize she had won. Among her interests: playing volleyball for her school and dancing with a Tahitian group called Tava Nui.
