Miss Washington at Miss America

This entry is for those of us who can't make the pageant in Vegas this year! I was there last year and it just hurts me to not be there rooting Elyse on this year.

Here she is! For those of us who can't be there, I did my best to find great photos that would bring the experience to us!

Work it girl! She looks fabulous and is representing us beautifully.

Thanks Elyse!

Here ia photo of the Wednesday night preliminary awards being given out.

Miss Iowa (swimwear- for those of you watching Reality Check she was the blonde with the bangs that was in the "bottom three" :)) and Miss Rhode Island (talent - baton twirling that had the "ice skater" evening gown on Reality Check) took the Preliminary Awards at First Night of Competition.

These are introductions, it looks to me that they wore shirts that were the color of their teams from Reality Check. That is helpful to identify favorites!

This is Elsye in her evening wear prelimnary on Wednesday night!


This banner hangs in the auditorium. Many states have them! Just browse the internet there is a great photo album out there with all the banners and tons more photos of the other ladies!

Visit Julius Tolentino's site to see more! http://www.pbase.com/nikonbuff/2008missamericapageant

Miss Massachusetts, Valerie Amaral, was the winner in the second night of talent at Miss America. She is a University Scholar at the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth. She earned a $2,000 scholarship for her vocal performance of "Anyway."
Miss MIchigan, Kirsten Haglund, was last night's swimsuit winner. Kirsten, a student at the University of Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music, is the youngest contestant in this year's pageant. Interestingly, she is the granddaughter of a former Miss Michigan! (I also have a feeling she could be one of the last standing on Saturday night.)

Enjoy! And be sure to leave a comment and let me know your thoughts!

Your hometown gal,

Alex Duchemin

Miss America - TLC - Reality Check

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.

Yulefest 2007

It was truly a magical affair. With a snow covered bunad and snowflakes on eyelashes I joined my pageant little sister Molly Lemmon and chaperones Tina Lemmon and Amanda Cheetham in the Klevstad Pavillion at 4pm in below freezing temperatures.

The ground covered in a sheet of white, above the water hovered a blanket of mist, and people were bundled from toe tip to nose tip hoping to keep out some of the cold. You can count on the fact that I had a few extra layers hidden under my bunad and I also donned my Norwegian sweater.

The band and choirs were unable to make it due to the inclement weather, the viking ship sprung a leak, the bonfire had to be covered in a blue tarp until the official "lighting" and the town Christmas tree was only 2/3 lit. But despite so many setbacks and slush covered streets there was a pile of people there to watch, Sons of Norway Carolers, darling children dressed in everything from Norwegian bunads to snow coats and mittens, and of course the beautiful Lucia Bride was there as well. Our host opened the evening and we immediately began the festivities. I shared briefly about the Miss Poulsbo program and Molly got to introduce herself including the fun fact that after 53 years of Miss Poulsbo's and over 10 years of having little sisters, Molly is the first Miss Poulsbo's little sister to come along side "her Miss" and wear a bunad too.Then we danced around the traditionally decorated Chrsitmas Tree. I had to watch the children and Carolers around me to catch on, but boy was it a blast. My "magic hand" was even instrumental in lighting the town tree.

I was delighted to carry a 2 year old girl, bundled in a snow suit, during some of the dancing and then later I got to join hands with one of my own 1st graders, pictured below. :)

It was a beautiful, but cold, night and I was honored to be asked to become apart of the tradition. I can't wait until next year, I'll be front and center to see Miss Poulsbo 2008 light the tree in the very same bunad I wore this year. What a wonderful town we live in that is so rich with tradition.

Uffda, time for bed. I have a classroom full of first graders, who are full of energy and waiting for their teacher to join in, and that is just a few short hours away. Thanks for reading.

Blessings, Alex Duchemin

"a home town gal"

My Prayers go out to a grieving family.

This past June I had the privilege of watching Lindsay Casmaer win the title of Miss Missouri 2008 and if you recall the blog she was who I had "chosen" to win. :) http://www.missmissouri.org/

The Missouri Pageant has been a highlight of my year as Miss Poulsbo. The program coordinators were welcoming and gracious and I certainly had a chance to grow closer to Miss Kitsap 2007 Megan Hornbuckle.

I also got to see over 20 incredible ladies compete in 4 nights of preliminaries and a final night of competition. The show was incredible and the competition stiff.

Among those competing was Abigail Scott. She performed a vocal talent and her platform centered around mentoring. Visit http://www.missmissouri.org/ for more information. I am sad to report that just this past week Abigail was killed in a tragic car crash at the young age of 21. Below is her obituary and those who are a part of the Miss America Organization family if you would like to extend your condolences you can visit the website at http://www.timeformemory.com/fh_obituary.cfm. I remember watching her compete and it breaks my heart to hear of her death. I am praying for her immediate and extended family, along with her fiancé as they grieve this incredible loss. I just wanted to memorialize her here as well. Thank you for reading.

Abigail Scott 1986 - 2007

My prayers are with you Patrick Kohler and Scott family.
Blessings, Alex Duchemin

Abigail L. Scott Click for Condolences Printable Version1986 - 2007 ABIGAIL L. SCOTT Abigail L. Scott, age 21, of Kahoka, MO, died Tuesday, November 20, 2007, the result of an automobile accident one mile east of Bethany, MO. Abby was born September 30, 1986, at Wayne, NE, the oldest child of Mike and Sue Shepherd Scott.

Survivors include her parents, Mike and Sue Scott of Kahoka, MO; brother, Michael Scott, a cadet at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO; a sister, Elsa Scott of Kahoka, MO; grandmothers, Lorna Shepherd of Ainsworth, IA and Arlene Scott of Fort Dodge, IA; aunts and uncles: Robert Shepherd and Tom Shepherd, both of Washington, IA, Bill and Kitty Shepherd of Knoxville, IA, Dick and Deb Shepherd of Washington, IA, Rick and Sue Scott of Otho, IA, Craig and Paula Scott of Hudsonville, MI, Cindy and Leo Frehse of Sturgis, SD, and great uncle George Hart of New Berlin, IL; as well as cousins and other relatives. Abby was planning to marry Patrick Kohler of Belton, MO, in the future.

She was preceded in death by her grandfathers, Robert “Shep” Shepherd and Ernest E. Scott. Education and the fine arts were an important part of her life. Before she was in grade school, she was involved in theater, music and drama as well as sports and academic activities. She transferred to Clark Co. R-1 High School her senior year from Fremont, Nebraska when her parents purchased The Media in Kahoka. At Clark Co. R-1, she was a member of the Campus Bowl, Choir, Show Choir, Band, Tall Flags, Pep Band, Track and Cross-Country, Drama Club and recipient of the ACT Award.

At Fremont High School in Fremont, Nebraska, Abby was active in Student Government, band and choir, and competed on the swimming and diving team. She enjoyed target archery and technical rock climbing. She also loved working with animals as a volunteer for the Dodge County Humane Society and through an Explorer program at the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha. She was a 2004 Clark County R-1 Honor graduate and graduated from Southeast Iowa Community College at Keokuk. Abby was currently a senior Political Science Major at Northwest State University in Maryville, MO, where she was also a member of the ROTC Sweethearts.

Abby was the Clark County Coordinator for the Big Bros. and Big Sisters and worked at the Clark County License Office when she was home. The past year she had been employed by the Maryville Chamber of Commerce and License Bureau.

She was the 2003-2004 Old Settler’s Queen and the current Miss Northeast Missouri, and competed in the Miss Missouri Pageant in June, 2007. She was active in the Church of the Nazarene in Keokuk and participated in church choirs and theater since she was a little girl. She had been in several of the Great River Player productions in Keokuk. Abby loved sunflowers, collecting “Cow Parade" cows and a good political debate. Her family had a special love for each other.

Funeral services were held Saturday, November 24, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Kahoka with Rev. Kenneth Beckmann and Pastor Dana Jurgensen officiating. Burial was in the Kahoka Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Abby Scott Memorial Scholarship, Great River Players, or the Keokuk (IA) Church of the Nazarene.




"The prayers and sympathy of the Miss Missouri Organization go out to the family and friends of Abigail Scott. Abigail competed in the 2007 Miss Missouri Pageant as Miss Northeast Missouri. "

Holidays...

I love the holidays and I could not be more delighted to be a part of the Yule Log lighting that is taking place in downtown this weekend. Saturday at 3pm (December 1st) I will be at the Klevstad Pavillion to help light the Yule log. Come visit me and my little sister Molly Lemmon and enjoy the festivities. Downtown is looking so festive, especially with a cup of coffee in hand and with a visit to Santa's hut under your belt. Oh... and don't forget to drop off your letter to Santa!

This is a picture of my staff at Christ the King Academy. I feel so lucky to be working with these wonderful people this Holiday Season, it was certainly something I am thankful for. Enjoy and I will write more again soon.

Check out this other link, or see the blog from earlier today. See if you can spot (Miss Whatcom County 05 - Alex Duchemin) me getting my groove on. :)

I am pictured with Miss Whatcom County 07 - Alli McComas Miss Whatcom County 06 - Janet Harding and Miss Whatcom County 04 - Tina Faulkner

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9636749534

Blessings, your Miss Poulsbo 2007, Alex Duchemin

Who said beauty queens don't have fun?

Check this out...

In 2005 I was part of an incredible Miss America Scholarship Program in Whatcom County. I made some of my closest friends, and grew a great deal. Many people ask me how I was ready for this year. How I did so well? How did I know I wanted to compete again?

Well it is because of a program with incredible committee members who are committed, a local director who cared about me and a community that embraced me in Whatcom County.

This is a fun holiday treat Coming to you from Miss Whatcom County 2005 - Alex Duchemin (Currently Miss Poulsbo 2007)

Who said beauty queens don't have any fun.

Check out Miss Whatcom County 07 - Alli McComas
Miss Whatcom County 06 - Janet Harding
Miss Whatcom County 05 - Alex Duchemin
and Miss Whatcom County 04 - Tina Faulkner

Just havin' a bit of fun.
Hope your Holiday Season is bright and full of cheer!

We got elfed. Check it out by clicking the link below.
http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9636749534
This elfin' greeting brought to you by OfficeMax®.

It just made me smile.

The school year is off to a grand start!

Well here I am, having written very little in the past months, wondering where to start. I've had several "avid blog readers" ask for a post, so here it is, to satiate the need. :) A bit of my life.

My school and classroom is my second home and I could not ask for a better family. They have embraced me and I have truly found my place.

I will begin with the biggest and the best "detail" of my life. I have started my career! And in the middle of pageant madness it is stable, rejuvenating, and exactly where God wanted me.
I am a first grade teacher at Christ the King Academy with the greatest group of children I could have asked for.

I am not "Miss Poulsbo" to them; instead I am "Miss Duchemin" their teacher and very little has ever felt this good or satisfying in my entire life.

I get to school each morning with a renewed sense that I am doing what God created me to do. I think back to "college days" when I was lonely and wondering what would come next for me. I remember days where I would go without being hugged and I'd think to myself, you are supposed to get at least 10 hugs a day, and here I am with not a single one. Now, I get at least 15 hugs a day from 15 first grade friends.

My family (pictured here is three generations on my mother's side) have been a huge support and even lend a helping hand, on a regular basis, in my classroom. Mrs. McGuire and Mrs. Duchemin (my aunt and mother) are absolutely adored by the students.

Miss Poulsbo adventures are great, and the best part is being with my "Miss Poulsbo's little sister" Molly Lemmon. She has grown almost a foot since we met last Spring, and she is the most wonderful addition to my life. The other added bonus is my friend Megan Hornbuckle, Miss Kitsap 2007, who has been like a life ring in the middle of a rampant sea.
We have learned so much, and have made a great team. Whoever it was that first emphasized to me that the young women who were selected as Miss Kitsap and Miss Poulsbo must be team players, was absolutely correct. We are a team and need each other.
We took a break after Miss Washington and did very few appearances. With the holiday season fast approaching, we have done a select few events.

We recently served at the Martha and Mary Heritage Gala and here we are pictured with Mayor Kathryn Quade sporting our fabulous red dresses and Megan with a new doo. :) It was a black and white affair and boy did Megan and I serve as the cherry on top the sundae.

I was also recently an honored guest at the First Lutheran Church's lutefisk luncheon last weekend. I was accompanied by Tina Lemmon (Molly's mom) and Miss Molly Lemmon herself. No, we did not taste lutefisk, but we got to sample some mean Swedish meatballs.

Next weekend there is the Sons of Norway Lutefisk dinner and soon after that I get to be a part of the Yule Log lighting ceremony in downtown Poulsbo.

Many want to know, "What of Miss Washington?" "How was the experience?" and to be honest all I can say is read the blogs from those days. It was a dream come true and even better the second time around.

I made wonderful friends and we have an incredible Miss Washington. AND Miss America will be on TLC this year! That is exciting news. I want to emphasize that having started my first teaching job, I am almost completely debt free and that is only after earning over $16,000 from the Miss America Organization. Please if you know a young woman who might be interested, or even really skeptical, feel free to pass on my email. misspoulsbo2007@gmail.com Encourage her to visit the Miss Poulsbo website, or even the Miss Washington website for other counties where she may be eligible. This experience will can be life changing.

Life changing is... having bought a home... living near famlily... having started a life... HERE in Poulsbo. I am so lucky to call this home. I am near the ones I love and get to see them every day. Friday nights are full of walks in downtown, movies at the local theatre and dinner with extended family.

This weekend we brought in the holiday season with a Pumpkin Party, good food, a trip to the Pumpkin Patch and great friends.

I am so blessed to call Poulsbo my home and am proud to represent this incredible community. It is time to wrap up, but I long for our community to know that there is a proud young woman out there, singing its praises to anyone who will listen.

I hope this rambling is a bit satisfying for those looking for "the scoop" and if not, I will be back! I will have more to share and I'd love to continue my musings another day.
Thanks for following my tangents and know that this is my pleasure. Leave comments, ask questions, this is a forum for anyone who is interested.

God Bless,
your Miss Poulsbo, a truly local gal.
Alex Duchemin