Well seeing my last blog was posted over a month ago was quite a "reality check." That play on words is a tribute to the TLC show - Miss America Reality Check that has aired the past 2 Friday nights, and still has 2 episodes left. They will air this Friday and next Friday, to be followed Saturday (January 26th) by a LIVE broadcast of the Miss America Competition.
Take the show in stride. Know that the Miss America Organization is a self-betterment program and it really achieves that goal. They give scholarships and provide an outlet for young women to learn and to lead. I believe in the organization and what it stands for and am simply enjoying the show knowing it is not so much a "reality". But boy has it brought in the viewers!
Check out TLC's website for more information, you can choose a contestant on their site and the highest scoring girl (chosen by America) who does not make the judges cut for the top 15 will be named the 16th contestant and be featured in the following phases of competition.
Go Elyse Ummemoto our Miss Washington 2007!
This past weekend was a busy one for me. I had 3 appearances. Two on Saturday and one on Sunday. On Saturday I was a part of the two-fold event that celebrated the start of Poulsbo's centennial year. The morning event was filled with our rich history and was a tribute to the long standing members of our community. A reenactment of the first town council meeting had me in stitches; and stories told by Muriel, a 91 year old resident of Poulsbo, brought me to tears. I also had the chance to share my thoughts on being the 54th Miss Poulsbo to carry the title, a job which I take very seriously.
Again, I was overwhelmed and brought to tears. I feel so lucky to call Poulsbo home and to be here representing our community in a part of our centennial year. Thank you Poulsbo for the honor. This community is so rich with history and a sense of belonging.
I will upload some photos later this afternoon or evening from the event and the Centennial wine tasting that followed that evening. Over 400 tickets were sold and we got the chance to taste wine that was created especially to honor this, our 100th year as an official city with Municipal status.
Sunday I participated in a farewell fashion show for our Miss Washington - Elyse Ummemoto. 8 of the 2007 contestants were in attendance and displayed a favorite appearance outfit and an evening gown. Miss Washington showcased her Miss America wardrobe and was even honored with a visit from the UW quarterback! She is a HUGE Dawgs fan!
Below are some photos from that event. Each 2007 contestant selected a "typical" or "favorite" appearance outfit and an evening gown to showcase. I had to do it in true Poulsbo form so I selected the traditional Norwegian Bunad that I wear to most of my appearances and my lime green evening gown that I wore both at Miss Poulsbo and Miss Washington this past year. Poulsbo is the only local Miss America program that has a traditional costume and I get lots of questions from the other ladies like, "Why do you wear that thing?" We cleared up some of those questions at the fashion show and they got to hear a bit about the history of our bunad that has been passed for over 15 years from Miss Poulsbo to Miss Poulsbo.
Like always, I was honored to wear the bunad and represent Poulsbo at this statewide event. Good luck to our Miss Washington as she heads off to Miss America, be looking for her Saturday, January 26th on TLC!
Miss Washington - Elyse Ummemoto with 3 UW Huskies including the quarterback.
She was in high heaven.
Me with Kelly Backous - Miss Clark County 2007 and Tina Faulkner - Miss Columbia 2007
Elyse presented us each with a gift of thanks.
Showcasing our evening gowns.
Here we are in our "typical" or "favorite" appearance outfits. Notice they are in cocktail dresses or suits, while I get to wear our historical Norwegian Bunad!
The ladies of 2007!
There are three little sister spots available for 3rd grade girls! Let anyone know that might be interested! This is a faboulous program. Just as my pageant little sister - who has nearly outgrown me this year - Molly Lemmon.
Come one, Come all, I'll guarantee you'll have a ball!
Blessings in the new year, Alex Duchemin
Your hometown gal.
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