Kauai girl
to compete
at Miss Teen

COURTESY PHOTO Sonya Balmores will represent Hawaii tomorrow night in the "Miss Teen USA" pageant in Palm Springs, Calif.

Miss Hawaii Teen USA Sonya Balmores will be competing in the national pageant tomorrow in Palm Springs, Calif. The event will be televised at 8 p.m. on KHNL/NBC.

Balmores, a 2004 graduate of Kauai High School, is the daughter of Malana and Ernest DeSilva.

As an athlete, professional hula dancer and model, she's no stranger to the camera, and has been featured on the cover of Surfing Girl magazine.

She plans to attend Hawaii Pacific University this fall to study communications.

Balmores will compete against contestants from the other 49 states and the District of Columbia.

Tami Farrell, Miss Teen USA 2003, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour telecast that will feature swimsuit, evening gown and interview segments.

Access Hollywood's Tony Potts and MTV Total Request Live host Vanessa Minnillo, who was Miss Teen USA 1998, will host the event.

Multi-platinum recording artist Brandy and JC Chasez will perform during the pageant.

Judges include "Ross the Intern" from "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," and Carolyn Kepcher of NBC's "The Apprentice."

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