My Weekend in Bremerton - West Side Love

In July I was asked to judge the Miss West Sound pageant, and I was so excited because I had been hoping they would ask me to judge.  As a pre-teen, I competed in pageants in Arkansas.  Then as an adult became involved in the Miss Arkansas program as a Big Sister and as a dance coach for contestants.  So I jumped at the chance to be a part of this organization which is a preliminary to Miss Washington and ultimately Miss America.  

So I hopped a ferry on Friday afternoon and headed out to the west side.  Interviews were first, and it was such a treat to see this lady as soon as I got there!  It's Megan Leibold- Miss West Sound 2013. 

We were also judging Miss West Sound Outstanding Teen, and I've had the pleasure of knowing the queen of 2013 for quite some time.  It was great to see Emy Houston again as well.  Shout out to her mom Lori who is a doll!  

On Saturday afternoon, we enjoyed a delicious lunch at Anthony's on the water in Bremerton.  Then it was off to Admiral Theater for the pageant!  

It was such a thrill to be able to judge the ladies who put in so much hard work over the past 12 weeks.   The contestants wrote essays, mentored and worked closely with their Pearl Princess little sisters, and developed closer ties within their own communities through work with their platforms.  It's really impressive what these ladies accomplish throughout their pageant experience.  

Most importantly the contestants earn scholarship money.  In the last four years, the Miss West Sound organization has awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to almost 70 young women!  

And the winners are...

Introducing Miss West Sound 2014 Megan McCormick and Miss West Sound Outstanding Teen 2014 Deidra Morris.  

  

Watch for both of these talented and driven ladies at the Miss Washington pageant in July!  

Only the judges and contestants are allowed on stage directly following the crowning.  So I had to take the opportunity to congratulate them on their new titles!  This is Mandy McCormick, Miss West Sound 2014.  She sings opera y'all, and she is amazing!  

And this is Miss West Sound Outstanding Teen Deidra Morris. They say big things come in small packages and trust me Miss Deidra embodies that saying!  She knows what she wants, and she went out and got it!  She was stunning from top to bottom for me in this pageant!  

There were some tears shed last night too.  Megan Leibold passed on her crown, and she did it with grace.  This is Megan and her roommate from Miss Washington pageant Shannon Tuohy, Miss Columbia Basin 2013.  Just the sweetest ladies ever!  

But it was fellow judge Brenna Adams that takes the award for nicest all weekend!  She was Miss Congeniatlity in Miss Washington in 2006, and I can see why.  Brenna is so sweet, you wanna sprinkle her on top of ice cream and scoop her up! Adorable!  Oh and she's preggers with her first baby! 

Thank you to the directors of the pageant Amanda Cheatham and Jill Nicks for letting me be part of such a wonderful organization. I can't wait to do it all again!  

But this is not where my West Side adventure ends!  Oh no....I'm a country girl after all right?!  I was invited to come check out McClouds Country Bar and Grill in Bremerton after the pageant. Now I've been hearing about this place for over three years, so I had to go slip into my cowboy boots and get a looksie! 

I felt like they rolled out the red carpet for me too!  McClouds was so much fun!  They have a great dance floor, and DJ Hot Pants (that's what I nicknamed him) aka. Ken was super fun!  

They asked me to "Guest Teach" line dancing!  I jumped at the chance!  Heck yeah, let's do this!  So I showed everyone on the West Side how we do down south and what I've shared with all my fun peeps at Bourbon Jacks over the past two years!  It was such a blast too!  

McClouds is also the home of the Kitsap Redneck Crew!  

They are all so much fun!  Oh here's a pic of the best line dancer on the west side...

Shout out to Bonnie and Josh!  I love y'all, and I appreciate all of your love and support!  You guys truly make being a country radio gal so much fun!   All of these crazy country peeps are making the treck next Friday to Bourbon Jacks to show support, and it makes this lil' Arkansas girl's heart sing!   

Thanks again for making me feel so welcome on the west side!  Y'all know how to do it up in Bremerton!  Til' I see ya again, keep it country!  And...

Keep Those Boots Up Y'all!