High school sophomore to represent GH in pageant

Susan Schell

of the Gateway

When Gig Harbor High School counselors looked around last spring for a student to suggest for the Miss Gig Harbor Teen USA Pageant, they didn’t have to look far.

Sophomore Anikka Abbott was a natural for the competition — and she didn’t have any trouble snagging the title. Abbott is now preparing to represent Gig Harbor in the Miss Washington Teen USA Pageant this weekend.

For a 15-year-old, Abbott’s accomplishments are remarkable: the teenager is involved with the National Honor Society and the Peninsula Youth Orchestra, she competes for the varsity swimming team, she sings with the jazz choir and the Tacoma Youth Chorus, and she’s been playing the violin for almost 10 years.

“Music is my passion,” she said. “I’ve had many wonderful opportunities with the Tacoma Youth Chorus. We sang in Europe and visited Austria, the Czech Republic and Hungary.”

While abroad, Abbott had an opportunity to meet European teenagers.

“I think the young people there are much more involved with family and friends,” she said. “Here, we are more involved with schedules. They’re not involved in frivolous things, and they have a better take on the bigger picture. I admire that in them.”

Abbott’s mother, Virginia Witt Abbott, said although Anikka is heavily involved with sports and community service, it’s her heart that sets her apart from the rest.

“She is one of the kindest people you will ever meet,” Witt Abbott said.

“Her motto is ‘kill them with kindness,’ and that’s how she lives. She wants to touch people with her music, and hopefully with a career in medicine. She views the pageant as an opportunity to earn scholarship money to further her dreams.

Abbott said one of the most touching moments of her life was when she sang in a small town in Slovakia, in front of an elderly audience.

“As I sang, I watched these people to see their reactions,” she said. “The majority of them were crying. It touched my heart to see these people so filled with happiness.”

Abbott found great value in traveling abroad and meeting people of different cultures.

“I think a lot of teenagers stay in their little groups of friends when they should get to know others,” she said. “They’ll have a different perspective.

Abbott is still working on her goal to raise $1,500 to cover the pageant fee. To help with a donation, call 253-853-4424.

Funds to be raised

You can help high school sophomore Anikka Abbott raise funds for the Miss Washington Teen USA Pageant.

To make a donation, call 253-853-4424.