BREMERTON — Excitement and shock spread across Megan Hornbuckle’s face as she was named Miss Kitsap 2007 at Saturday’s Miss Kitsap/Miss Poulsbo Scholarship Pageant.

“I’m thrilled because I have dreamed of this,” Hornbuckle said through emotion. “This was my third time, I’m excited to represent the community.”

Hornbuckle is a 23-year-old student pursuing a business management degree at Olympic College. Her platform, “Habitat for Humanity,” focused on providing simple and affordable housing for people in need.

“I am very proud of her,” Hornbuckle’s mother, Denise Hughes said with tears in her eyes. “She’s worked very hard. “

Inside the Bremerton High School Auditorium, each contestant competed in four different onstage categories, with each category given a specific percentage amount of the final score. The categories included lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit, on-stage knowledge and awareness, artistic expression in talent and presence and poise in evening wear.

Wearing a melon-colored, two-piece swimsuit, Hornbuckle displayed her athletic physique as she gracefully walked across the stage.

“(My family) has always been really supportive of me,” Hornbuckle added with a smile. “So have my neighbors.”

After being asked what her platform would bring to the community for the on-stage question, Hornbuckle replied Habitat for Humanity helps the community because “residents are created to live in the context of relationship.”

For the talent portion of the event, Hornbuckle played the “Waltz in e minor” by Frédéric Chopin on the piano. With a look of intense concentration on her face, Hornbuckle charmed the audience and warranted their attention with the tricky finger-work of the piece. Playing the piano for more than 15 years, Hornbuckle said it’s something that helps her deal with stress.

“I was the most nervous for the talent,” Hornbuckle said. “You always know how much better you could’ve done (afterward).”

In the final event of the evening, Hornbuckle captivated the attention of the audience and judges in the evening wear category. Dressed in a floor-length, honeydew-colored gown with a diamond clasp, Hornbuckle displayed her poise and sophisticated walk across the stage for both the audience and judges.

A look of excitement washed over Hornbuckle’s face along with a wide smile as her name was called as the new Miss Kitsap. Along with the title, Hornbuckle was awarded a $5,000 scholarship. Accompanied with this honor, Hornbuckle earned awards in the categories Artistic Expression in Talent and the Kristen Eddings Leader of Tomorrow Award. The total award winnings Hornbuckle received was $5,400.

In preparation for Miss Washington, Hornbuckle says she will continue to practice her talent. Hughes said the talent is something she is going to help Hornbuckle with before the Miss Washington Scholarship Pageant.

“(Megan) is such a godly and loving woman,” Hughes said. “And she’s a good role model.”