Teen-talent scholarship winner savoring the rewards — in Europe

Toting a large suitcase through a self check-in line at Sea-Tac Airport, Naomi Rahn, of University Place (Tacoma area), looked puzzled when she finally reached the kiosk.

"What am I supposed to do with it?" the 15-year-old said, referring to her passport while jabbing the machine.

She has never been out of the country, but as this year's winner of the Hal Jackson's Talented Teen Scholarship International 2007, she left last week for London, Paris and the British Virgin Isles.

"I want to see the Eiffel Tower and be able to hear all the different languages that will be in Europe as well as food," she said.

After airport personnel showed her where to put the passport, she immediately exited the check-in line and put on her tiara and faux-diamond studded sash — showcasing her new found glory.

On June 29, Rahn, a Curtis High School student, was crowned the first Washington winner of this international scholarship, after a nine-day competition in New York City. Radio and TV personality Hal Jackson started the contest in 1971, which was originally named, "Miss Black Teenage America."

The competition judges the girls on performance ability, poise (gown and grace) and public speaking.

She also won a $6,000 scholarship for the college of her choice and a diamond ring.

"It's like a dream coming into reality," she said. "It's a very good feeling to win out of 30 girls."

The purpose of the talent competition is to offer girls 13-17 — especially from minority backgrounds — a scholarship, cultural exposure and personal encouragement.

"One of the things we are striving for is for the girls to improve their self-esteem and self-worth," said Carrie Maxine Jenkins, the state co-director of the program. "We hope they will become more involved in their community and in school."

In New York, the contestants watched the Broadway show "The Color Purple," dined at Central Park's Tavern on the Green and toured the Big Apple.

Rahn won the state competition in May, advancing her to compete for the international title.

At the international competition she performed a dramatic monologue called "My Real Father."

Her character is a female who is preparing to meet her biological father but questions whether he will be accepting, or reject her like the mother who gave her up for adoption.

The aspiring actress knew what she wanted in a monologue.

"I looked at a couple of monologues and picked this one because of the range of emotion, the suspense and its climax to the conclusion," she said.

Rahn started performing three years ago — appearing on stage in high-school musicals and "Hip Hop, Back to its Roots" at the Langston Hughes Performing Arts Center.

Taya Flores: 206-464-2220 or tflores@seattletimes.com