By ERIKA SCOTT
Miss Poulsbo 2010

My long journey to becoming Miss Poulsbo started in the third grade as a Little Sister in the 2000 Miss Poulsbo Pageant. By luck of the draw, I got to have as my Big Sister Ashlee Redfern, who became Miss Poulsbo 2000.

Nine years later, I had my first opportunity to run for Miss Poulsbo. Though I didn’t meet my goal, winning second runner-up gave me the confidence to try again. In 2010 I put all my effort into it and was proud when I became the first Little Sister to be crowned Miss Poulsbo.

Many community leaders helped me to feel welcomed as Miss Poulsbo. Mayor Becky Erickson, Councilman Ed Stern and the other council members have become good friends of mine and it was a pleasure to help with the grand opening of the beautiful new Poulsbo City Hall.

To Adele Heinrich and the Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce, thank you for bringing me into the heart of Poulsbo and allowing me to help celebrate the city’s growth.

My parents have been a big help in my journey. Thank you, dad, for supporting me in any way possible, whether it’s behind the camera or with a helping hand.

Thank you, Ray, for being supportive of my dream, even from afar while you stood back to watch the crazy days before the pageants. Thank you, mom, for your huge support; you’re what has made so much of this happen. From paying for dresses to emergency trips back home to get dresses that I forgot, I couldn’t have done it without you.

I couldn’t have gotten this far if it weren’t for the support of the program either. Attending every Little Sister Tea Party and pageant for 11 years kept my dream alive. Thank you to the committee — Bruce, Lynda, Gisela, Lolly, Doug, Jeana, and Michelle Rider — for being wonderful friends and builders of this organization. Thank you, Lori, allowing me to go help your wonderful students with math. Michele, my biggest thank you of all goes to you for your ability to lead the program and help guide hundreds of girls and young women into lives built on self confidence and community service. Thank you for helping me in my Miss Poulsbo journey.

Running in the Miss Poulsbo Pageant has provided me with so many wonderful things. In the two years that I ran, I received $5,600 in scholarship money. Thank you, Sluys’ Bakery and Poulsbo Rotary, for your generous donations to the organization for the Miss Poulsbo scholarship. Thank you, Thomas Redfern DDS, my sponsor for the 2009 pageant; and Scott and Heidi Wakefield from PSW Electric, my sponsor for the 2010 pageant. Through this organization I’ve gained interview skills, people skills and a great deal of confidence.This year has been better than anything I ever imagined. No other program could have opened more doors or given me more opportunities to give back to my community.

Alexa, you’ve been such a wonderful, supporting Little Sister. Parades wouldn’t have been the same if I didn’t have you sitting next to me. You’re always so excited and eager to do something new and fun. I hope you had fun this year and enjoyed getting to do the parades. I look forward to seeing you more and I hope one day you’ll decide to do something like this too.

Last but certainly not least, I want to thank my friends and fellow titleholders.

Congratulations, Amanda, on becoming the first Miss Silverdale. You’re always so much fun and I’ll miss your sweet personality. Rachelle, I had a great time getting to know you through our two-year journey to become titleholders. Your bubbly attitude always brings a smile to my face. Holly, it’s been great watching you grow up from a Little Sister to a titleholder. You have great energy and your maturity will take you far in life. Getting to work with you three has been such a pleasure and great adventure. I couldn’t have asked for a better group.

Thank you, everyone, for a wonderful, magical year.

— Erika Scott crowned Natasha Tucker Miss Poulsbo Jan. 8 at Bremerton High School.