Meagan Corlin, 24, a Dolphin Trainer and Education Outreach Specialist for Dolphin Quest Oahu at the Kahala Resort, is the first “;National Miss”; in America's National Teenager Scholarship Pageant. The contest was held in Nashville, Tenn. The “;Miss”; category is a new addition to the Teenager pageant, which Meagan also won as a teen. In the new Miss competition, contestants just have to be “;college age.”; And there is no swimsuit category.

Actually, Meagan is quite at home in a swimsuit, as she works with dolphins. Meagan received $5,000 for her win. She attended UH for her semester abroad on a student exchange program in 2005 while earning a psychology degree at Rhode Island U., graduating magna cum laude in 2006. Meagan came here to study dolphins, fell in love with Hawaii and moved here in January of this year, she said yesterday. She is also a National Toyota Community Scholar award winner.

Meagan's “;life plan”; is to obtain a doctoral degree in animal behavior, focusing on bridging the gap between humans and dolphins. Her parents, Chuck and Pat Corlin, and sister, Laura, will fly here from Rhode Island and spend a warm Hawaiian Christmas with her. When I reached Pat in Stafford, R.I., by phone Monday she said it was 35 degrees ...

The engagement party for Candes Gentry and Milan Drager at La Pietra Saturday was a colorful affair with an Italian circus theme. About 250 people attended. The party started in the courtyard, where the couple greeted guests. Pierre Grill on accordion and violinist Duane Padilla played music. The party later moved to the adjoining grounds, where Andrea Torres performed aerial artistry on a trapeze-like setup. Other highlights included a joker on stilts and a woman clown on a tricycle. What's more, those who desired could have their faces painted by artist Mary Ann Changg, aka “;Sparkles A. Clown.”; Pupus with an Italian flair, cake and candy were provided by Kahala Caterers, along with beverages. Candes' mom, Nora Gentry, was one of the photographers. Guests received a copy of Candes' new CD, “;Candes,”; when they departed. Candes is a singer and a former Miss Hawaii. The couple will marry Saturday on Lanai ...

A NUMBER of the La Pietra guests attended the Opera Ball at the Sheraton Waikiki following the La Pietra party. Ball-goers were treated to excerpts from Bizet's “;Carmen,”; sung by Jill Garner and Leslie Tennent. Members of the HOT Chorus, under the direction of Nola Nahulu, took part. Beebe Freitas was on piano. It was well staged by HOT artistic director Henry Akina. A smaller sampling of Puccini's “;Manon Lescaut,”; was sung by Erik Haines. Both operas will be performed in the Hawaii Opera Theatre's upcoming season. “;Escape!”; Singer Anita Hall, backed by Nueva Vida, packed the dance floor after dinner. Anita and the band sizzled ...

BooHoo, no romance: The Hawaii Romance Festival will take a one-year break in 2009 because of the poor economy and be back in 2010, according to festival producer Allen Sviridoff ... Rick Blangiardi, president and G.M. of KGMB9, has accepted the chairmanship of the “;Ports of Call”; Symphony Ball, scheduled March 21, 2009, at the Hawaii Convention Center ...