Pageant coordinator helps highlight local talent

YAKIMA, Wash. -- It had been close to a decade since a Miss Yakima County was crowned. And Carol Milliron wanted to do something about it.

So she created -- and become the executive director of -- the new Miss Yakima County Organization.

"The only way a girl can run for Miss America is by first winning a local pageant, but Yakima did not even offer that, and I wanted girls here to have that opportunity," says Milliron,
a registered nurse.

Last year, Marcie Anglen won the title, the first winner in almost 10 years. And now is the time to apply to compete in the 2009 pageant.

The deadline is Jan. 31, and the pageant will be held March 8 at Yakima's Capitol Theatre.

Along with Miss Yakima County -- for teens and young women ages 17 to 24 -- there's also the Yakima County's Outstanding Teen title for girls ages 11 to 13.

Both competitions include interview, talent, and evening wear portions. The only difference --
besides age -- comes in swimwear. While Miss Yakima County contestants don swimsuits, the younger girls sport aerobic wear.

When applying for either pageant, contestants must specify a platform.

"Your platform can be something you are already passionate about and involved in," Milliron says. "Throughout the pageant, the judges will ask you questions about your platform, so you need to be knowledgeable about your subject."

"All You Need is Love; Encouraging Volunteerism in Our Youth" is the platform for Reina Almon, a 17-year-old West Valley High School junior and the reigning Yakima County's Outstanding Teen.

"My platform stems from the belief that youth should be more active in their communities and the world," she says. "It's often said that the best way to promote something is through your own example, so to promote my platform I was very active in several volunteer activities."

Some of those activities include being part of the Yakima Valley Community Foundation's youth council, acting as a director for the Mr. West Valley pageant, and being a member of Holy Family Parish's<FEFF> Council.

Almon has competed in pageants since she was 13. Last year, when she heard Yakima was holding a pageant associated with Miss America, she couldn't resist.

"I was not a very confident person until I started doing pageants," she says. "Now I have no problem getting on a stage. Job interviews don't scare me in the least, and I am just very comfortable with myself."

Almon went on to win third runner-up in the Miss Washington's Outstanding Teen pageant last May.

Milliron is looking for more contestants like her to compete in this year's pageant.

"There are many young women with high moral caliber and great personalities in the Valley, and this pageant is a great way to promote them," she says.

For more information, visit www.missyakimacounty.org.

* Alyssa Patrick is the student editor of the Yakima Herald-Republic's Unleashed team. She attends Eisenhower High School. Comment on this story online at unleashed.yakimablogs.com.

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