Pageant Director

On April 13, Beauty Queen Sheryl Wolfe suffered a stroke and hemorrhage to the brain while in school. After being admitted to Queens Hospital she underwent two surgeries to bring the swelling and bleeding down.
As soon as I heard the news, I immediately started a mass prayer chain. I also notified her pageant family, whom she had become very close.

The news of Sheryl's sudden condition shocked everyone. Her parents Allen and Estrella, with much grace and dignity, held their composure and stayed strong for the many teenagers, family and friends that came by to see Sheryl. On Saturday night, it was Sheryl's prom. Her date came by to bring her a corsage. Later that evening the lobby filled with teenagers from Mililani High School in their prom gowns and tuxedos.

Sheryl had been relatively new to pageants. She previously entered 2 teen pageants, which she both won! After winning Miss Hawaii Teen-United States, she wanted very badly to compete in a National competition. So she contacted me and expressed interest in competing for Miss Teen Hawaii World, which would have given her the opportunity to travel to Houston, TX and compete for Miss Teen World.

While most teenagers are so unsure of their future plans, Sheryl had set a goal almost one year ago and was determined to see it through. She was the first contestant to sign up for the Miss Teen Hawaii World pageant, which is to take place on May 9th at the Hawaii Convention Center. This was another quality that impressed me about Sheryl. She knew what she wanted, set a goal and worked toward it.

As a pageant director, I have always tried my hardest to stay neutral and not show favoritism. But it was hard to ignore the fact that Sheryl was the one to beat in this competition. She was tall, poised, beautiful, humble and most of all had and infectious personality that was so contagious. When she smiled it was hard to not stare. Her beauty radiated inside and out.

I did not have the opportunity to have her as one of my titleholders but I do feel blessed that I was able to have her as a contestant. Just two days prior to her stroke, all of the contestants and our reigning national titleholder Cassie Sumimoto Miss Teen United States World, made an appearance at Ward Warehouse. The girls were dressed stylishly in all black as they walked the catwalk and practiced answering questions on stage.

Sheryl's legacy will live on in many ways. Her spirit will compete through her friend Florence Villanueva, who is taking her place in the pageant. Florence said that if she wins the title she will give the crown to Sheryl's family.
After being pronounced brain dead yesterday afternoon, Sheryl was kept on life support when it was discovered that she listed herself as an organ donor. The surgery is taking place today to save her organs and donate them to someone who is in need.

This tragic story has reached National headlines. MSNBC is flying in this afternoon to interview members of the family and some friends to talk about Sheryl and her amazing life!

Miss Teen Hawaii World Pageant Director