Myalia was given entrance to the Dynasty Modeling Agency

Four-and-a-half short years ago Myalia Louise Yu-Jie Durno was a Chinese orphan, abandoned by an unknown mother on the stairs of a government building and living with thousands of other orphans in the city of Changsha.

In the orphanage, Myalia was picked up and briefly held once every six hours and put into a walker for a few minutes before being returned to her bed. She was fed a formula derived from diluted rice paste and steamed egg whites called gangi.

Debra and Seth Durno spent more than $20,000 and two weeks in China with 19 other New England couples who adopted children through China Adoption With Love, which is based in Brookline. Girls have little standing in China, where only one child is allowed per family.

Myalia is now the center of the Durnos' world.

When Myalia first arrived at Chestnut Street, she was quiet and a little scared, but never screamed as some children do.

She wanted you to hold her right away, Debra said. That was wonderful, and after a couple of days, you couldn't tell

she was new to us. It was like she knew.

Myalia has been special to many residents ever since. Exceptionally bright, she entered first grade as an advanced student at age 5. She'll be 6 in October and weighs in at a whopping 40 pounds.

Debra's sister, Laura Nelson, phoned the paper to say Debra and Seth had entered Myalia in the Star Five Inc. Pretty Little Princess Pageant, on a whim, and that Myalia had won the Little Darling Division for 4- to 6-year-olds hands down. The Milton, Wash., based beauty contest held a local event Aug. 3 at the Marriott Hotel in Burlington.

The kids picked their own attire. Her favorite thing is swimming, so she wore a little bathing suit, as well as an evening gown like a little wedding dress, Laura said. Miss Teen Massachusetts crowned her.

I'm a proud auntie and this is an amazing thing. Deb didn't want to say anything because people might think she was bragging, but I'm going to call Channel 4 and 5! Laura said.

With the award, Myalia was given entrance to the Dynasty Modeling Agency in Boston to do commercials, videos and modeling, which, the Durnos have been told, may well pay for her college education.

Debbie and I have been saving for college since she came from China. Myalia won a $200 savings bond and a check for $200, Laura said. The agency manager said talking to Myalia was like talking to a 15 year-old and that she will go to the top.

Executive from Dynasty Modeling Agency