Nineteen young women had their eye on a crown and a title. In the end, three went home with one.

Charlyn Garcia was crowned as the 2014 Miss Kitsap, Ryleigh Hazen as Miss Silverdale, and Emily Ward as Miss Poulsbo, Jan. 11 at Bremerton High School.

“It’s a thrill,” said Michele Wasson, pageant executive director. “All three were over-the-moon excited.”

She added, “It’s not just, ‘Oh great, I get to wear a crown and smile in a parade,’ which is always fun to do. It’s also giving back with community projects and non-profits over the next year.”

The girls had a private interview on Jan. 10. The next night, each girl proceeded through five more categories: talent, evening gown, active wear, an on-stage interview and an academic review.

Each winner receives $3,000 in scholarship money from the pageant.

Ward, 16 and a junior at a North Kitsap High School, also receives $200 for her academic achievements. Ward will continue with her platform of anti-bullying.

Garcia, 18, receives the $200 Little Sister Mentor Award. She is currently enrolled at Olympic College and ran on a platform of uplifting cultural diversity in the community.

Hazen, 18, receives a $1,000 scholarship to Olympic College and $1,000 for winning People’s Choice Talent, Most Tickets Sold, Director’s Spotlight, Hank Mann Sykes Award and Top Interview. She is a senior at Central Kitsap High School and plans to spend 2014 promoting the SandUp for Kids Program.

“It’s a community-based pageant,” Wasson said. “All the scholarship dollars come from our community. In these tough times, and it still is tough times, it’s rewarding to know there are so many great people out there that will invest in these young ladies’ futures.”

The winners will spend 2014 assisting with local causes. The 2013 winners participated in more than 250 appearances.

April Beckett, a 16-year-old junior at Kingston High School was named first runner up for Miss Poulsbo. She received $900 in scholarships for winning Miss Congeniality and the Ardis Morrow Award.

Sabrina Tucker, a 17-year-old senior at Bremerton High School was first runner up for Miss Kitsap. She received a $1,000 scholarship to Olympic College and $700 in scholarships for winning the Girl Power! Award.

Julia Zimny, a 16-year-old junior at Klahowya Secondary School was first runner up for Miss Silverdale. She received $900 in scholarship money for winning the Future Potential Award, and Top Talent for playing “Mary’s Song” on the piano; a song she wrote and dedicated to her grandmother.

Aleasha Crestik-Johnson, a 19-year-old graduate of Central Kitsap High School received $1,000 form Olympic College, and another $1,000 for winning the Promise for Tomorrow Award.

Amy Liu, a 17-year-old senior at Bremerton High School won a $1,000 scholarship to Everest College.

Courtney Smith, a 19-year-old Olympic College student pulled in $12,000 in scholarships to attend the International Air and Hospitality Academy in Vancouver, Wash.