“I was completely flabbergasted, shocked and excited!”

That was West Virginia University senior Carolyn Jennings’reaction to winning the Miss West Virginia USA Pageant Sunday night (Oct. 5) before a cheering crowd in Flatwoods. The 2003 pageant was the first time Jennings competed for the title of Miss West Virginia USA .

“To actually hear your name is kind of surreal, but I knew I had a chance after I heard them read the Top 5,”she said.”Right now, I’m just trying to acclimate myself with the different community service programs and charities I’m going to represent. The whole year is going to be packed and so much fun. I’m really looking forward to the Miss USA Pageant and there are so many people backing me so I’m going to go and give it my best shot.”

A Pennsylvania native, Jennings grew up in Erie. She is studying broadcast journalism at WVU and her dream job is to work for MTV , E!, VH1 or the Style network. As Miss West Virginia USA , she will represent the state at the Miss USA pageant March 24, 2004, in San Antonio, Texas.

Along with representing the state at regional and national events, Miss West Virginia USA will be expected to take an active role in promoting literacy, a youth anti-drug campaign and ovarian and breast cancer research, said Jennings, who has been competing in beauty pageants since she was 13.

As a model and former Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA runner-up, Jennings is used to the spotlight. She has appeared in numerous advertisements and modeled for Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Lord&Taylor and QVC . She landed a role in a commercial for the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and has been featured in televised fashion segments on WJET -TV24 in Erie. As a teenager, she got involved in pageants as a way to showcase her musical talent.

“I play the violin and had just started modeling. The pageant gave me an audience and I gained confidence in myself, which I didn’t have before. Like most girls at that age, I was insecure and felt awkward,she said.

The experience paid off and she was crowned Pennsylvania Young Miss of America. Other titles soon followed including National Young Miss of America. Jennings has also been a runner-up in the Teen Miss Erie, Miss Pennsylvania Teen USA , Ms. American United States and Miss Teen of the Nation Pageants.