Adams resident Ashley Felten will participate in the Miss Minnesota Teen U.S.A. competition in Burnsville on Sunday with the hopes of being selected to represent the state at the national competition.

The contest will be held at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center at 4 p.m. Nov. 29. The competition consists of three segments: evening gown, fitness/swim wear and a personality interview.

Felten, who is a graduate of Southland High School and is attending Minnesota State University, said in a letter that she’s excited to have the opportunity to compete and have the chance to be considered a role model.

“I would really like to let other teenage girls know that this experience is really once in a lifetime experience,” Felten said in a letter.

Along with the chance to represent Minnesota on the national level, more than $1.3 million in scholarships will be available at the pageant. Thirty contestants will receive college scholarships, and the winner will receive thousands of dollars in prizes and awards.

“We are overwhelmed by the response and caliber of all the participants from Minnesota,” said Denise Wallace of Future Productions, state pageant producers for the Miss Universe Organization. “There is no better opportunity for ambitious young women out there today. The Miss Minnesota U.S.A. and Miss Minnesota Teen U.S.A. competitions offer area women a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to advance their personal and professional goals.”

Winners of the Miss Minnesota Teen U.S.A. and Miss Minnesota U.S.A. will have the opportunity to compete for the national crown next year. The Miss Teen U.S.A. pageant will be held in the summer of 2010. The Miss Universe pageant will be held in April of 2010.

The contestants are unmarried women between the ages 13 and 26 who are residents of Minnesota. Those interested in participating next year can contact Future Productions at (952) 440-4550 or email info@futureproductions.net.