POULSBO — As Miss Viking Fest 2006 Jasmine Campbell gave a tearful farewell Friday night, she didn’t have to look far for her successor.
One of her princesses, Whitney Glebe, who stood by Campbell’s side during her reign, used a bit of humor to woo the judges as she joked her way to the Miss Viking Fest 2007 crown during the eighth annual Miss Viking Fest pageant at Christ Memorial Church.
“Viking Fest is definitely the place to be. I’m so glad my grandmother took me for my birthday,” Glebe said as she mimicked a bubbly 8-year-old experiencing all of the sights, sounds and smells of the three-day festival for the first time.
That performance won the 18-year-old North Kitsap High School senior the pageant’s talent award, but it didn’t ease the nervousness as the winners were announced.
“It feels good. I’m so excited,” Glebe said as the reality of the moment sunk in. “I want to do all I can to help the community.”
Having spent the past year on the Viking Fest court should make the upcoming year easier to manage, she said.
For Alisa Foresee, being named one of the Miss Viking Fest princesses was simply overwhelming.
“It feels great. I don’t know what else to say,” Foresee said.
All of the years spent helping her mother, Viking Fest executive secretary Kathi Foresee with the event didn’t prepare her to be part of Viking Fest royalty, she said.
“I’m so nervous,” she said. “I’m really looking forward to hanging out with Whitney (Glebe) and Amanda (Dixon).”
Any anxiety Foresee professed to have wasn’t visible as her speech focused on Norwegian traditions.
“Can anyone guess what the No. 1 food in Norway is?” she asked the audience. “It’s frozen pizza.”
As the other Viking Fest princess, Dixon said it was amazing to garner such an honor. Dixon, who won the Director’s Award for the most improved contestant during the week leading up to the pageant, showcased her knowledge of Little Norway’s history invoking the names of local legends such as Bjarne and Sven Eliason along with Iver Moe.
For Campbell, who had what emcee LeOnna Small politely termed “one of the most challenging years we’ve ever had,” the evening was tinged with sadness.
“It was the best year of my life,” a teary-eyed Campbell said before taking a moment to regain her composure. “Thank you.”
Other winners during the competition included:
• Doug McKay Scholarship
Award: Alisa Foresee
• Top ticket sales:
Amber Mathisen
• Scholastic Achievement
Award: Alyssa Walker
• Miss Congeniality:
Jessica Buss
The Doug McKay Scholarship Award is a $1,000 scholarship and Foresee was also awarded a $500 scholarship as a princess along with Dixon. Glebe received a $1,000 scholarship as Miss Viking Fest.
The Miss Viking Fest court will make its first appearance during Viking Fest 2007, which is slated for May 18-20.
