IT was her first time competing in an international beauty pageant, but 13-year-old Kimberly Chia managed to come in third in the teen category.

On top of that, she bagged both the Top Teen Supermodel and Best Evening Gown titles.

She was the youngest contestant at the Miss Teen United Nation pageant held in Salt Lake City, in the US last week. There were some 60 contestants from more than 20 countries, according to local organiser Dyen Tan.

Several rounds of selection narrowed it down to five finalists, who took part in a week-long competition, from 21 Jul.Of the other finalists, three were from the US and one from Bulgaria.

The oldest contestant, a 17-year-old from Texas, ended up the overall winner.

"I didn't go there with the aim of winning," Kimberly told The New Paper on Wednesday, hours after returning to Singapore. "I'm happy enough that I got so far."

The pageant cost her family more than $10,000. Registration fees alone were $2,500, and her parents had to foot the air fare and pay for some of her custom-made costumes.

But the dress that won her the Best Evening Gown prize was specially tailored by J & C Bridal Collections and sponsored by Ms Tan.

Though Miss Teen United Nation was the most expensive pageant Kimberly has competed in so far, it was worth it, said her mother Mrs Kristy Chia, 43, a senior customer service executive. "Kimberly got to gain more experience," she said.

Kimberly's natural skill on the catwalk impressed the panel of six judges.

According to her, one of them - fashion company owner and grooming coach Debi Weiss - offered to take her under her wing and guide her in her career.

Kimberly, a Compassvale Secondary School student, also hit it off with Tom Hopkins, who plays the guitar for Donny and Marie Osmond, at a chance meeting at supper.

On hearing that she liked to sing, Hopkins offered to write a song for her.

MADE FRIENDS

She also befriended another 13-year-old contestant, Stefani Diamond, who took her and Mrs Chia on a sightseeing trip in the Utah mountains.

The two girls bonded over their similar experiences, as both have been participating in beauty pageants. Kimberly won Little Miss Universe 2005, Singapore Teen Supermodel 2006 and Teen Miss International World 2007.

Now, they keep in touch over Facebook.

Her tiara, titles and memories were not the only things Kimberly brought back with her.

The contest also gave her a new interest in charity.

Miss Teen United Nation focused on community work, explained Kimberly, and the winner has to help 36 charities over the course of the following year, or lose her crown.

The other finalists are not obliged to do so.

Kimberly said she particularly enjoyed a visit to the Shriners Hospital for Children, organised by the pageant.

The contestants took teddy bears for the disabled children there, and played with them for two hours.

"It really feels good to do charity. Seeing the children happy makes me happy," she said, brightening up despite her jet lag.

Now, she wants to become an ambassador for a charity organisation.

"I want to help homeless children especially, because they deserve a warm and nice place to live in," Kimberly said. But she does not have specific plans right now to get involved in charity work here as she wants to focus on acting and studies.

The child model and actress has appeared in local movie 881, as well as Kids Central programmes and TV docu-dramas like Crime Watch and Behind Closed Doors.

Although she had earlier told The New Paper that this would be her last pageant, her success in the international arena is giving her second thoughts.

"I'm definitely not ruling out competing in more pageants," she admitted.

"But only after secondary school."

This article was first published in The New Paper on Aug 1, 2008.