Miss Poulsbo 2008 is .... Amy Stadshaug... Here's the night in a nutshell.

Here's the night in a nutshell - thanks to the Kitsap Newsgroup for the slideshow!
Enjoy!

Only 2 more days to go...

I can't quite believe it, but there is only two more days to go.

I will only have the title of Miss Poulsbo until Saturday, March 29th. However I will always carry the honor of having been Miss Whatcom County 2005 and Miss Poulsbo 2007. Having been a top ten, people's choice winner at Miss WA in 2005 and the second runner up to Elyse Umemoto (who was 3rd in the nation) in 2007. Plus I was given so many honors at state this past year.

The highlight of my year was receiving word from the National program, when I returned from Miss WA that I had won the national community service award for Washington State!

The other highlight is the relationships I have built with two incredible ladies that I have come to love. Molly Lemmon, my pageant little sister, and Megan Hornbuckle - Miss Kitsap and my partner in crime! I am so lucky to have been blessed with these relationships. They have been a gift from God.

Megan We were a dream team!

Molly we were meant to be together. I am so blessed to have you as my little sister!

The Lord knew I needed this year. I needed to connect to my community. I have found my home, which is something I've said a million times - but is SO true.

Some of my favorite hometown past times include but are not limited to:
~Wednesday night BINGO at the Sons of Norway
~Walking the boardwalk in downtown
~Coffee at Latte on your Way - I had to abandon Starbucks because they no longer have almond syrup but I am not bitter any more since it led me to a new local stand!
~ Dinner and a movie with my fiancé Ben here in town
~ Taking Ipa on a walk with Ben at night and seeing our town all lit up

And one future thing I can't wait for is getting married on Liberty Bay! We just couldn't do it any other way.

See our engagement photo! Downtown is our place.

Thank you Poulsbo for embracing me, please do the same for the next Miss Poulsbo and Miss Kitsap.

Thank you for loving me and encouraging me to pursue my dreams, please do that for the next Miss Poulsbo and Miss Kitsap.

Support them like you did us.
Give to them like you did us.

And it will be the most memorable year of her life, as it was mine!

Democratic Caucus

I will begin by stating that I understand that some will say, "This is not the place for her to be posting this information." I disagree. I post this blog so that people know what my life is like as Miss Poulsbo, and also as me - Alex Duchemin. Miss Poulsbo should be active in her community and in her government whenever possible, no matter her views. I hope with that said, you continue reading.

I, Alex Duchemin, participated in the Democratic Caucus today... Yes, I am a declared Democrat -at least with Obama as a candidate I am - and I was so proud to participate in the Democratic Caucus today, as a supporter for Obama.

But to be honest the real reason I am posting this is to encourage all of you young people - especially young women - to get registered to vote, and to vote in this primary election if you still have your absentee ballot!

Also, I want to stress that when voting in a primary election, by absentee ballot you MUST mark the party you are affiliated with by marking the party's box by the signature line - it's on the flap of your envelope. If you do not mark a party your vote WILL NOT COUNT. They will throw it away.This is only true in the primary election and it does not have to effect how you vote in the final presidential election.

Register if you haven't, vote if you still can, and learn something new about our system this year. You will be impressed.

I also challenge you, look beyond the moral issues and examine the parties political views on education, environmental issues, international relations along with their views of taxes and where that money goes.

Ask yourself, who can inspire Americans to get behind a cause, and who can make a difference and do it quickly.You might be surprised who you end up voting for. I know I was. But I found a candidate that represents what I believe politically and I am willing to take on the moral issues myself among the people I can directly effect.

Most importantly get involved in your government, it is a priviledge and an honor that we can!

Thanks for reading, Alex - a dedicated and registered voter.

Congratulations Elyse!

CONGRATULATIONS TO ELYSE UMEMOTO FOR 2nd Runner Up at Miss America & yourTop 3 Finish in theMiss America Reality Check series!

She walked away with a wardrobe from shopIntuition.com and a $10,000 scholarhsip from Crest White Strips!

Watch Miss America Live tonight on TLC at 8:00pm!

The wedding scoop...

Some have asked... so here is my wedding site.

Yes I am engaged!

www.mywedding.com/benandalex

Anyone know of a great wedding dress store with dresses that are a "steal of a deal"? Or have tips for a bride on a budget... let me know.

:) Ben is the man God made for me.
Alex

We are best friends and our families are the people we would pick to hang out with on a Friday night!

Elyse is making the "buzz"! ~ Thursday Preliminary Awards

THURSDAY NIGHT AT VISITATION - AFTER HER TALENT PERFORMANCE!





Talent - You Go Girl!

The Washington Pageant Family! Elyse with her sisters.

Unofficial from another blog site - prelim. awards for Thursday Night

Miss America Preliminary Night Three Unofficial Results

Swimsuit goes to Miss Texas

... as predicted by many.

Talent is won by Connecticut

... which is a little out of the blue, consi

ELYSE IS MAKING THE CUT - OTHER BLOGGERS ARE TALKING
ONE WROTE...
Miss America Preliminary Night Three Early Returns

Swimsuit Buzz
Texas and Georgia

(No one has commented, good or bad, on Roberta's Swimsuit presentation.)dering so many states were mentioned as strong contenders, but not her
Talent Buzz

Florida, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Washington, Virginia AND Michigan
It must be a very competitive group!

Gown Buzz

OHIO

I'm in a live chat room with people getting texts from Miss America, and as they were giving gown feedback someone wrote,
"No, now Ohio is the most amazing!"

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