Millington Star, by Christina Morgan
Thursday, October 30, 2008

While most girls enter many pageants for a chance to win just one, it only took one time for Cyrena Wages.

Wages, 17, was recently crowned Miss Memphis 2009.

The daughter of Millington residents Wilson and Deborah Wages, Cyrena said she had an instinct that she should enter the pageant.

"I loved the idea of being challenged and being able to put myself out there and try something new," she recalled.

Acknowledging her love for singing and dancing, Wages said she jumped at the opportunity to get on stage and sing.

"But this was something completely outside of my comfort zone," she said.

She also said the $1,000 scholarship prize also helped her decide to enter the pageant.

"College is just around the corner, so the scholarship money definitely was a big motivator," she noted.

Wages, who is currently a senior at Briarcrest Christian School, said even weeks after the competition she hasn't fully grasped her newfound title.

"It is still such an unbelievable feeling," she noted. "I am completely overwhelmed and honored. I had no expectations upon entering the pageant, which really makes this experience even sweeter."

Shay Bader-Wallace, executive director of the Miss Memphis Scholarship Organization, said many things contributed to Wages' win.

"She's a smart, young woman and had an impeccable interview," she said. "Her talent is phenomenal. She's stunningly beautiful. All in all, these things make her a triple threat and a total package."

Now entered into the Miss Tennessee pageant to be held in June in Jackson, Wages said her first pageant experience has left her looking forward to more.

"After my year as Miss Memphis, I would love to keep competing," she said. "It may be a long shot, but I would love to one day be the lucky girl crowned as Miss Tennessee."

Family and friends surrounded Wages as she was crowned earlier this month.

"God could not have blessed me with a better group of friends," she acknowledged. "It's really funny actually, a good friend of mine and I had a bet that if I won, she would compete in Miss Collierville or another local pageant, so we could go to Miss Tennessee together. Neither one of us really thought I had a chance, but (now) I am definitely not letting her get out of this one."

Wages credits her voice teacher Erika Cobb, the House of Talent staff in Cordova and her trainer Ric Taylor for helping her prepare for her first pageant.

Taylor supplied Wages with one of the most crucial pageant items -- the dress.

And Miss Cordova, Katie Moynihan, offered Wages a swimsuit for the competition.

"People were so sweet to me and I cannot say thank you enough," she recalled. "My mom just kept saying, 'It's meant to be.'"

Pageantry isn't the only thing keeping Wages busy these days. Gearing up for her last semester of high school, she has already begun the process of applying to colleges.

Her choices, so far, include Belmont University, California State University Northridge and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles.

Wages also volunteers often, serves as the secretary of her student body, performs in Honor Choir, Vocal Jazz Group and is a praise band leader and attends First Baptist Church in Millington.

Being busy, Wages said she wouldn't have it any other way.

"I keep a pretty booked schedule," she noted. "Sometimes I feel like I leave for school when it's still dark outside, and I don't get home until it's already dark outside again. It can be overwhelming, but I love being busy. Time flies when you are doing what you love."

When asked what led to her win in the pageant, Wages noted one thing.

"All I know is that I tried to remind myself to just be me," she said. "It is not about having all the perfect answers and being the most beautiful."

"If it were, I definitely would not be in the position I am in now. It is about being natural and true to yourself," she concluded. "It is about representing who you are, where you came from, and what your message to the world is. My story is that I am just a small town girl, the same as any other, who loves the Lord and his big dreams for the future."