By Tom Bailey Jr., Memphis Commercial Appeal
Direct link: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2008/oct/15/all-around-02/
Wednesday, October 15, 2008

The Millington teenager who was crowned Miss Memphis 2009 last weekend had never been in a beauty pageant before.

In fact, Cyrena Wages barely entered this pageant.

She registered on deadline, Sept. 12.

She borrowed a dress and swimsuit, the high heels, jewelry. "I had nothing for the pageant," she said.

So there's nothing false about the 17-year-old's humility in winning.

"It was completely shocking," she said. "A little overwhelming. I was not prepared for that at all.

"I entered mainly for the fun and experience. I was not prepared to actually win. I was thrilled."

Cyrena is a senior at Briarcrest Christian School, where she is active in student government, in the National Spanish Honor Society, Honor Choir and Vocal Jazz Group, and is the school's Praise Band leader.

Briarcrest is a 45-minute commute to eastern Shelby County, but the daughter of Wilson and Deborah Wages is deeply rooted in Millington.

Her late grandfather owned a furniture business in town, her uncle, Dennis, was a longtime alderman, and her father is a Millington-based lawyer and the Millington Municipal Court judge.

Cyrena also is a member at First Baptist Church.

She won the swimsuit competition and sang "Up to the Mountain," a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

What distinguished Cyrena from the other contestants? "She had a fantastic, beautiful voice," said Shay Bader-Wallace, executive director of Miss Memphis Pageant.

"She a total package. She's gorgeous. Absolutely stunning. ... She's extremely intelligent. She can talk to anybody and make you feel comfortable when you talk to her. ... At 17 years old, that's pretty impressive."

Cyrena will pursue a career in music and acting, just like her two older brothers, Houston and Austin.

Both brothers have moved to Los Angeles after attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, an acting conservatory school.

Houston is now lead singer and songwriter for the musical group Mitchell's Folly. Austin already has several theatrical credits, even traveling to Scotland for a play.

"My parents have always encouraged us, that we can do whatever we want to," Cyrena said. "... They are going to see to it that we can follow our dreams as best as possible."

She credits her father for being flexible. He enjoyed sports, and initially "tried his hardest to get all three of us involved in sports," Cyrena said.

"I made an earnest attempt. I played some recreational soccer and basketball. I stuck with it a little. But it was not my God-given talent."

Cyrena now qualifies to compete in the Miss Tennessee Pageant in June in Jackson.

She also was awarded a $1,000 cash scholarship and other prizes.

She heaped credit for her victory on her voice teacher, Erika Cobb, and conditioning trainer, Ric Taylor. Both are on staff at the House of Talent, a performing arts studio in Cordova.

-- Tom Bailey Jr.: 529-2388

Senior Cyrena Wages, 17, (right) twirls with dance partner
Chris Campbell, 17, in class at Briarcrest Christian School.
Wages was crowned Miss Memphis 2009.


Cyrena Wages goofs-off with friend Jordan Perry, 17, during
choir practice at Briarcrest Christian School.