Brittani Nickol of Helena was first runner-up at the 2008 Miss Teen of Montana Scholarship and Recognition Pageant.

The pageant was held in Billings Aug. 15-16.

She is the daughter of David and Patti Nickol and will be a junior at Capital High School.

The winner of the pageant, Ashley Adkins of Roundup, received a scholarship and savings bond and will have the opportunity to compete for additional scholarship money at the national level.

Each candidate, age 13 to 18, received an invitation from the pageant organizers based on scholastic achievements, service to her community and school, and her creative, artistic or athletic talents.

The candidates were scored in five categories: scholastic record, achievement and service to school and community, personal development of talents and skills, personality projection in formal wear and an interview.

Nickol was sponsored in the pageant by local businesses and family including Insurance Unlimited, Inc., Retz Funeral Home, Valley Bank of Helena, Dirkes Motors of Choteau, Albertsons, and her parents and grandparents.

Other Helena-area contestants in the pageant included Ashley Hays, daughter of Tom and Kim Hays of Helena, and Britana Clark, daughter of Martin and Bonnie Clark of Clancy. Both received a Recognition of Achievement award, and Hays won the optional art contest.