J.M. SIMPSON: DEPENDENT WORKS TO BE MISS WASHINGTON TEEN USA >>>

Elisabeth Jackson's personality and poise reflect well on the upbringing her parents have given her.

"I come from a military family, and I know how to work hard," she says.

Her father, Capt. Troy Jackson, is stationed at Fort Lewis.

"I also know how hard my dad worked to get where he is today, and I picked up on his example."

It is an example worth emulating.

Jackson is the current Miss Thurston County Teen USA.  The 17 year old is a Running Start student at River Ridge High School where she has earned a 3.7 grade point average.

Running Start is a program that allows highly motivated high school students take college classes at a local community college. 

Upon graduation from high school, Jackson will have also earned her Associate's degree, allowing her to enter a four-year university as a junior.

Her intelligence, stunning looks and willingness to improve upon herself combined to win her the title.

While attending a career day at another high school, Jackson spoke to an individual who told her about the Thurston County Teen USA pageant.

She wrote an essay that caught the attention of the judges.  In short order, Jackson was notified that she would be the Thurston County's Miss Teen USA.

Jackson says that vanity is not what drove her to compete.

"It was all about providing a positive image and improving upon myself," she says.

Her next goal is to compete in the Miss Washington Teen USA.  To that end, Jackson has been working hard to gain sponsorships. 

If successful in the state level competition, she would like to compete on the national level.

"To accomplish this goal is my dream," continues Jackson.

"No matter what the outcome, I will get something of value out of the experience."

Jackson hopes to use her current experiences to realize her dream of working in the movie production.

But perhaps the strongest point of Jackson's poised and polished personality is her insistence that dreams are to be pursued.

"If you have a dream, go after it," she says. 

"Going after your dream will not always be rainbows and gumdrops, but when you realize your dreams it feels great."