Published: October 23, 2009 10:45 pm         

Two to compete in Indiana pageants

Cayuga — Sylvia Crowder, 18, of Cayuga will be competing in Miss Indiana Teen USA. Crowder is a senior at North Vermillion High School and plans to major in dentistry. She has a 4.0 GPA and is very active in her school and community. She is in 4-H, Peer Leaders, National Honor Society, cheerleading, track, Business Professiaonals of America, Student Council, and on the blood drive committee. She has also volunteered for The Humane Society, The National Kidney Fund of Indiana, The Special Olympics and The American Cancer Society. She is also the reigning Miss Illiana Teen 2009. Crowder is the daughter of Tom and Karen Crowder.

Tiffany Mack, 24, of Cayuga will be competing in Miss Indiana USA. Mack graduated from St. Mary-of-the Woods College in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. In college she participated on the SMWC Equestrian team and was a therapeutic riding volunteer. She currently works for United States Customs and Border Protection but aspires to become a registered nurse specializing in oncology. In 2008 she founded a non-profit organization, “Dream Out Loud,” which strives to encourage teens to become passionate about various social causes and inspires them to become active in their communities. In 2009, she was able to raise $10,000 for Indiana Special Olympics, The National Kidney Fund of Indiana, and The American Cancer Society. Mack is the daughter of Ron and Diana Mack.

The winners will represent the state of Indiana at the nationally-televised Miss USA pageant in Las Vegas and the Miss Teen USA pageant in the Bahamas in 2010. The pageant takes place at 1 p.m. Nov. 1 at the Renaissance Hotel in Carmel. There are 25 teen contestants and 32 miss contestants from around the state. Contestants will be judged on personal interview, swimsuit competition and evening gown. Crowder and Mack were sponsored by their friends and family. Tickets can be purchased at MissIndianaUSA.com.