She was probably 3 when she entered her first beauty pageant. And, yes, she was easily the winner, taking home a miniature tiara.

A collection of crowns, trophies and sashes has grown substantially over the years.

Now, at age 17, Alicia Jaros is going for an even bigger crown and one that carries with it the title of Miss Teen USA.

While it may appear to some that much of the Downriver population is headed to Palm Springs, Calif., next week to cheer her on in person, those of us remaining at home will just simply turn to NBC-TV Channel 4 at 8 p.m. Tuesday to view the live presentation of the pageant.

Collected and composed, Alicia, who will be a senior at Riverview Community High School when classes resume next month, left Michigan July 29 for nearly two weeks of intensive rehearsals and personal appearances in the California resort area.

The usual unflappable teen was concerned about one thing — luggage restrictions.

She planned to board her plane with two pieces of luggage and two carryon bags. Not to worry though — mom — Julie Jaros — took to the air this past Monday to bring wardrobe reinforcements.

"It sounds like a bit much, but with all the events that are planned and the days involved, every contestant needs several outfits for each day," she confided, prior to her departure.

Alicia’s father, Frank Jaros, and her siblings, Chelsea, 12, and Nicholas, who will turn 11 the day of the pageant, will arrive in Palm Springs just before the televising.

Alicia won the right to fulfill her dream last year in Port Huron when she took to the stage with 96 other teen contestants all with the same goal in mind.

There were more than 1,000 people in the audience that night and they agreed whole-heartedly with the decision of the judges. Alicia was one step closer to her goal.

Since last November the teen has been on a whirlwind schedule of appearances on behalf of the national pageant system that is owned by entrepreneur Donald Trump.

The competition for 15- to 19-year-olds is affiliated with the Miss USA and the Miss Universe competitions.

As the Michigan queen, Alicia has been busy working on behalf of area charities such as the Children’s Hospital of Michigan, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, Michigan Special Olympics, the Ronald McDonald House in Detroit and the ALS Foundation.

She also kept up with her school courses and participation as a varsity cheerleader.

For nearly a month prior to her departure for California, Alicia has been commuting to Cincinnati, Ohio, to work with a director from the pageant who oversees contestants from several surrounding states.

"Everyone receives this type of assistance and direction and it is designed to give each of the contestants an equal opportunity to win," she said.

In California, Alicia is one of 51 contestants — 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Alicia said that there are three tiers of judging taking place prior to the actual Tuesday night staging. They include a personal interview with judges and then swimsuit and evening gown competitions.

All the contestants will wear the same swimsuit, but the formal gown is their choice. Alicia, who traveled to Kentucky to select her very special pageant gown, is keeping the color and style a secret until the actual TV show.

The judge’s will narrow the field and when the top five finalists are announced, each of them will answer a question prepared the judges.

Hosts of this year’s production are actor and television star Mario Lopez and Brooke Burns, of NBC’s "Dog Eat Dog." Vanessa Semrow of Wisconsin, Miss Teen USA 2002, will crown her successor at the conclusion of the two-hour telecast.

The winner, in addition to the extensive prize list, heads to New York City immediately after the pageant for a media blitz in the Big Apple.

Esther Swan, a Miss Teen advisor, said the winner actually becomes a salaried employee.

"She will move into a luxurious apartment in New York with the winners of the Miss USA and the Miss Universe competitions and attend media events, fashion shows, celebrity events and make personal appearances," Swan explained.

The platform of Miss Teen is to bring awareness of the dangers of drugs and violence to her peers and the winner will travel the country for a year with that message.

"We have also formed an alliance with the USO and our winners will be traveling internationally to appear before our armed forces," Swan said.

Swan added that should Alicia be the winner, the pageant directors would work directly with her school to ensure that her classroom obligations are fulfilled.

Tutors will be provided during the times that the new queen will be on the road.

Alicia said her future goals are to be in the limelight, but not for long. She wants to earn a degree in secondary education and then return to her high school to teach government and economics.