16-year-old member of the Baltimore Police Department's youth choir was honored yesterday for winning first place in the Ms. Maryland Talented Teen contest.

Taylia Legette Thompson received a certificate of merit from Police Commissioner Thomas C. Frazier. She will represent the state in the national Ms. Talented Teen contest July 5 in New York.

Thompson also sings opera. "Everyone can sing gospel," she said. "But you rarely see teens sing to classical music. I love singing, period."

Pub Date: 6/19/98