Christy Dunn

Next month Christy Dunn, who last visited Las Vegas with her parents as a girl of 13, will return as a woman of 26 bearing the title Miss New Hampshire USA to compete for the crown of MIss USA . "It will be a little different," she remarked yesterday.

Dunn, who has danced since was three and for the last four years has worked as an instructor at Broadway North/Heidi Noyes School of Performing Arts, graduated from Laconia High School in 2001 and four years later from the University of New Hampshire, where she earned a degree in business management from the Whittemore School of Business and Economics.

A lively, expressive blue-eyed blonde, Dunn thrives on activity, competition and working with children. "I wake up, work out, have lunch and begin teaching at three and finish at nine," she said. "I would not survive without my daily planner." In high school she played field hockey, basketball and softball. As a dancer she has auditioned for the Radio City Rockettes, who she watches perform every Christmas season, placed among the finalists for the Patriot Cheerleaders and won a spot in the Lady Wolf Pack, gracing the games of the Manchester arena football team.

"I love working with children," said Dunn, who taken a leading role in Project S.T.A.R. (Safety Through After-School Recreation), which she explained "seeks to eliminate latch-key children. I believe it is very important to keep children active." She also participates in the Boys and Girls Club, Santa Fund and WLNH Children's Auction. Last night she paired with Jeff Greely, her high school classmate who has become attendance counselor and assistant football coach at Laconia High School, in Dancing with Community Stars.

Dunn said she hoped the Miss USA pageant would open some new career opportunities for her. "I don't really know just what they might be," she "but I love working with children and would like to combine my business degree with my passion for dancing. As long as it's something active!"

Staged by the Miss Universe Organization, sponsored by Donald Trump and televised by NBC, the pageant sprawls over two-and-a-weeks, closing with the coronation at the Theatre for the Performing Arts of the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino.

"What am I not packing?" Dunn said, explaining that she will need three outfits — clothes along with matching shoes and accessories — for every day. "I'm packing my closet. It's a nightmare." She said that apart from the clothes on her back and her evening gown, she will ship nearly everything else by Federal Express.

The regimen is demanding. "Every minute of every day is scheduled," she said. "I think we have one day off, but otherwise every day begins with breakfast at six and finishes at ten," she continued, "and that's only if everything happens on time. I think sometimes it might run later." Along with rehearsals, the schedule includes sightseeing, entertainment and special events. "It's an opportunity for all 51 of us to get acquainted," Dunn said.

The competition itself consists of a twelve-minute interview with a panel of judges together with appearances in evening gown and swimsuit. "It's all about being yourself," Dunn said, admitting she was "a little stressed and worried that the competition did not include a talent component. All 51 contestants will be featured in evening gowns and swimsuits on NBC.com and the finals, with the 15 top contestants, will be televised live in prime-time by NBC on Sunday, April 19.