Brooke Parchment, the newly crowned Miss Teen Cayman Islands, recently had the opportunity to meet Miss New York City Teen 2011 Marissa Matzen who was visiting the Island on a family vacation with her dad.
Marissa, 15, has competed in many pageants in her hometown and has won many competitions with the help of coach Miss America 2008 Kerry Boettcher. Among Marissa’s numerous titles are Miss Sunburst, Miss Teen New York World, Rensselaer County Teen, Bryant Park’s Perfect Teen, Massachusetts Teen and the pre-teen Miss New York pageant.
Early start
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Although she started in very small pageants, I noticed her love for pageants from a young age and gave my support” said her father Peter. “When we return home she will also be involved in the Steuben Parade [of New York], which promotes music dance groups and costumed individuals, but for now we are just going to enjoy the summer vacation on the Island with friends.”
Much to share
It was a delightful experience for the teen title holders sharing their views on various topics internationally and locally.
Marissa took some time out from enjoying Cayman’s sea and sights to spend time with Brooke and the young women exchanged information about what their countries have to offer.
Even though the young women are from different corners of the globe, they reverted to being regular teenagers just enjoying the summer, shopping, mingling and chatting before heading back to school. Marissa attends Averill Park High Schoolin New York; Brooke is a student at St Ignatious Catholic School.
Both teens said keeping up with current events and having time for schoolwork and social networking keeps them busy.
Instant friends
Although it was Marissa’s second trip to the Island, Brooke had lots to share about where to go and what to do, and Marissa fell right in step inquiring about local foods, things to do and places to go.
“Cayman is hot! But the weather was much more relaxing on Wednesday,” Marissa said. “I got to go out on the banana boat but it was a painful experience because of the rough weather. I also did a lot of snorkelling but did not realise there were so many stingrays in the water.”
“They are scary,” said Brooke, recounting the first time she felt a stingray slide across her leg. “I only just came over my fear of stingrays since entering the Miss Teen Pageant. We had to take a boat tour to Stingray City and get out to interact with the rays. I was scared of the big ones and putting my feet on the sand.”
The teens also discussed local foods and venues. “I live in the district of West Bay and I think the Turtle Farm is an excellent place to visit. You should also try our patties,” said Brooke, describing a ‘patty” and where to find one.
“I was quite relieved to find out that dolphin listed on a restaurant menu was not really dolphin at all but Mahi Mahi, which was very good,” said Marissa. But when it came to trying the national dish of turtle, she did seem a little hesitant.
Brooke shared her experience of entering two pageants: the Cinderella Pageant and Miss Teen and visiting New York on a cruise, which she said was fun and exciting.
Marissa talked about her early pageant experiences:
“I was reading the newspaper one day when I came across a local Miss Uncle Sam Pageant.
“I entered and won that was my first contest at 10. Two years later year I met my pageant coach in the mall and she said I should do pageants and it just took off from there.”
Besides enjoying pageants, Marissa likes modelling and acting and has a passion for the fashion industry and hopes one day to have her own boutique. Brooke hopes to go overseas for studies to become a lawyer.
Both teens have one sister and one brother and when it comes to favourite pastimes, Marissa likes travelling while Brooke likes playing the flute and shopping.
With a hug on parting, both teens said they plan to take up their respective platforms and work with charities.
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