POULSBO — Brittney Brown is working on a degree in cellular and molecular biology with a minor in communication studies at Western Washington University.

Her goal: to become a dentist or dental specialist.

She’s an accomplished ballroom dancer and enjoys cooking, watching movies, shopping and volunteering.

Other than that, her spare time is her own.

Wait — that’s taken up, too. She’s using her position as Miss Washington first runner-up to push for for Disability Awareness and Inclusion.

Brown, 21, the current Miss West Sound, advocates for those with disabilities by volunteering with Special Olympics, speaking to elementary school classrooms, and working to end use of the “R-word”.

She organized a pageant for men and women with disabilities, Mister and Miss Empowerment, in May.

The Miss Washington Pageant took place July 2. Brown was voted Miss Congeniality by the other contestants, received the Miss America Organization Community Service Award, and earned $4,750 in scholarship money.

Miss West Sound’s Outstanding Teen, Maddie Farrell of Bremerton, placed in the Top 10 in the Outstanding Teen pageant. She earned $1,800 in scholarships.

At the pageant, Brown displayed her ballroom dancing skills by performing a solo Paso Doble, or double step. She later discussed her platform and what she would do as Miss Washington to make a difference in the state.

The Miss West Sound organization reported that although she did not win the title, “she was gracious and supportive of the outcome and cannot wait to cheer her sister contestant on at Miss America.”