Juggling a hectic schedule of schoolwork, extracurricular activities and practices and rehearsals, Lee Anne Cox reaped the rewards after being named first runnerup at the state Junior Miss competition on O’ahu. When first approached about the possibility of competing in
Juggling a hectic schedule of schoolwork, extracurricular activities and practices and rehearsals, Lee Anne Cox reaped the rewards after being named first runnerup at the state Junior Miss competition on O’ahu.
When first approached about the possibility of competing in the recent scholastic competition, Cox, a senior at Kaua’i High School, pondered the trips to O’ahu for meetings, practices and rehearsals. The first of these trips would start in December.
The cost of airfare and accommodations while on O’ahu posed another hurdle. But after state legislator Mark Takai worked out an arrangement for airfare with Aloha Airlines, the pageant appeared less formidable and Cox agreed to become one of the contestants in a field of 27 in which she was the lone Kaua’i contestant and one of only non-Oahu entrants.
“I didn’t want to miss school,” Cox said as she explained how she traveled back and forth for the preliminary meetings and practices for the state pageant.
Winter break helped alleviate the hectic schedule, but on Cox’s list of activities was the KIF boys basketball season for which she was a team manager for the Red Raiders.
There also was the National Math Exam, an event that Cox wanted to participate in because she had the highest score in 2000. “I wanted to defend my title,” she said.
Aspiring to become a math professor, Cox returned home during the final week of rehearsal to take part in the exam on Feb. 13. She said she felt really good about her performance in the exam.
Another event called her home in that final hectic week of Junior Miss rehearsal — the Kaua’i District “Brown Bags to Stardom” competition.
“I took third place at the school level,” Cox said, and the top five places had the opportunity to compete at the district level. The choice to compete was fruitful for Cox who ended up taking top honors with her vocal rendition, earning her a trip for two to the state competition scheduled for April 28, as well as a $200 cash scholarship, adding to the $30 prize Cox earned for her third-place showing at the school competition.
A recording session is among the prizes if Cox can win at the state level.
These two bridges crossed, Cox returned to her Junior Miss competition, where on Feb. 18 she was named first runnerup after taking the talent competition with another vocal rendering, this one limited to just 90 seconds.
Among her cache of prizes is a full scholarship to Hawai`i Pacific University should she decide to attend there. But Cox plans to attend Texas Christian University with a major in math.
“I want to sing before then,” she said.
