WILLISTON, Vt. – Michelle Fongemie, daughter of Real Fongemie of Sabattus, Maine, and Janet Fongemie of Augusta, Maine, earned the title of Miss Vermont USA 2004 at the Miss Vermont USA Pageant on Nov. 1 and 2 at the Burlington Radisson Hotel in Burlington.

The contestants were judged in three categories: interview, gown and swimsuit. The purpose was for the contestants to display intelligence and personality, poise and confidence and overall physical fitness and beauty.

Fongemie will represent Vermont at the Miss USA Pageant in Los Angeles on Monday, April 12, at the Kodak Theater.

Fongemie, 26, is a former resident of Auburn, Maine. She is a high school English teacher at Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg. She also holds the positions of yearbook adviser and newspaper adviser.

Fongemie, who was first runner-up in last year’s pageant. She has written an article about her experiences and it will be published in the upcoming months. During her reign as Miss Vermont USA, she plans to start work on a book, which will chronicle inspirational stories of young women who were able to learn self-acceptance, overcome adversity and persevere.

She is a 1995 graduate of Edward Little High School in Auburn, Maine.