Jennifer Ebert
Miss Arizona American Teen 2008
Jennifer Ebert, 17, of Glendale won Miss Arizona American Teen 2008
in the American Coed Pageant in June. She will be going to Florida to compete
in the national pageant.
Pageant queen is a tomboy at heart
Jeffrey Javier / The Arizona Republic
Glendale resident Jennifer Ebert, 17, is not the typical pageant girl.
Though she did win the Miss Arizona American Teen 2008 in the Arizona American Coed Pageant, there is something unique underneath the makeup.
Hidden behind the crown, the smile and the poise is a side of her not many would expect from someone who's won numerous pageant awards.
"I'm a tomboy," Ebert said. "I'll tell you the truth, me and my friends, we hang out at gas stations."
But it isn't just hanging out with friends at gas stations that makes her a tomboy. She goes on camping trips with her family, rides ATVs in the desert and helps cut and weld steel in her dad's shop.
Her brother Brandon Ebert, 21, is a strong supporter and says she is a completely different person outside the pageant scene.
"She isn't like those girls who hate getting dirty," Brandon said. "She can go out riding, but she can also put on a dress, put on makeup and win a pageant."
Jennifer's appearance is another aspect of her that is different from other pageant girls.
"Usually, you think pageant girls are long and tall, not short and stubby," Jennifer Ebert said. "But I am very comfortable in my own skin."
Jennifer, now a senior at Ironwood High School, participated in her first pageant in 1999 where she won first runner-up in the Arizona American Coed Pageant. After a two-year break to focus on school, she started doing pageants again, and since then has placed in the top 5, or the Queen's Court, of the Arizona American Coed Pageant.
It wasn't until last June that she won her first pageant.
"It was down to me and another girl, and I honestly did not think I had it all," Jennifer Ebert said. "But when I was on stage and I won, I couldn't breathe."
On Nov. 24 she is going to the National Miss American Coed Pageant at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., where she will compete with other girls in her age group.
Though pageants are a huge part of Jennifer's life, it isn't her focus.
"I'm looking to become a singer or a famous entertainer, because I love to dance and sing," she Ebert said.
Jennifer will be going to Hollywood to compete in Hollywood's Best New Talent and will perform in the Kodak Theatre on Aug. 10. She also will audition for American Idol next week.
"Dancing is a way I can express myself whether I'm mad or said, or if I feel like I have no one to talk to, I can dance the way I feel," Ebert said.
The pageants and singing competitions aren't solely hers. Much of it is a family affair.
"My mom is the one who knows I have the talent to do what I do," Ebert said. "She knows I have the strength to get through it. She's more than my mom, she's my manager and a best friend."
Cheri Ebert, Jennifer's mother, said she remembers family coming over for karaoke parties and singing with Jennifer.
"We would sing together and she would just blow me out of the water," Cheri said.
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'Idol' hopefuls ready for Glendale auditions
(From left) Jennifer Ebert, Tuesday Hawkins, Lindsey Parrish
and Bree Hutchinson will audition for a contestant slot on the 2009 season of American Idol.
This week, recording artist hopefuls will flood Glendale's Jobing.com Arena to vie for a contestant slot on the 2009 season of American Idol. It's the first time the show has held auditions in Arizona. Previously, the local Fox affiliate held tryouts.
Not all who come to the tryouts will make it before Idol judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell. The talent will first perform for a variety of show producers and scouts before a select group is chosen to sing for the famous trio.
Those handpicked contestants will then compete for a coveted golden ticket leading to a second round of auditions, traditionally televised and held in Hollywood.
So, who from the Valley is trying out? Let's take a look at some of the locals prepping for the auditions
Jennifer Ebert
AGE: 17.
CITY: Glendale.
BACKGROUND: "I've done chorus throughout middle school and I've also been taking voice lessons."
FAVORITE 'IDOL' CONTESTANT OF THE PAST: David Cook. "I love the style he sings in, because I'm a rock lover and he's very rock. He's not a slow contemporary singer, he does more fast, upbeat rhythms. I love Chris Daughtry, too."
WHAT WILL YOU WEAR/SING?: "I have a certain song picked out, it's Shadows of the Night by Pat Benatar. I like the style of that song, because it's more rock but also shows the range of my voice.
"I have a really cute outfit. It's all zebra - zebra high heels, black capris and a zebra tank top . . . it's rocker style and screams, 'Hey! I'm here!' "
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Jennifer's second article in her highschool's newspaper.
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Appearances
St. Patricks Day Parade 3/2009
J 
Jennifer with the Reigning Miss Arizona USA 2008
.
Meeting with the Mayor of Glendale Meeting with the Mayor Of Phoenix
Elaine Scruggs Phil Gordon
Me and my cheer buds! First Time performing at Skye Restaurant-Made it to the semi finals 2007 Idol in the Skye
My First Demo CD 2006
Me and my Raptor!!
Varsity Cheer Team 2007 Pom Line 2009
