Building bonds of sisterhood

MOSES LAKE — On Saturday afternoon shining smiles and giggles of laughter filled the stage at Moses Lake High School where five young women, practicing their routines for the 2006 Miss Moses Lake title, appeared more like lifelong friends than competitors.

In fact, most of the girls have known each other since junior high and some even longer.

Despite thousands of dollars in scholarship money and a title at stake, the contestants aren't looking at next Saturday's program as just about competition.

Rather, it is the friendships and personal growth they say that they look forward to most.

"I absolutely love the girls I'm running with," said Kassandra Turman.

"It's almost amazing because we were all kids, but as we grow up your talents are more defined (and) you grow up as a person," said contestant Lana Cromer.

The Miss Moses Lake contestants range in age from 17 to 19.

The Miss Moses Lake Pageant is a preliminary to the Miss Washington Pageant, with the chance to go on and compete for the Miss America title. The new Miss Moses Lake will not only receive scholarship money, but a trip to Moses Lake's sister city Yonezawa, Japan.

Two of this year's contestants, Andrea Chamberlain and Kristina Doran, are no strangers to the pageant as they both competed in 2005.

Coming back for a second year, both girls want to improve their confidence levels on stage this time around.

The pageant requires being feminine and learning to walk in heels and wear a dress, abilities Chamberlain said do not come naturally to her.

"People seeing me walk on stage in high heels and a dress shocked everyone," Chamberlain said of the 2005 competition.

During Saturday's practice, Miss Moses Lake 2005 Stephanie Rios joined the contestants for rehearsal.

Rios assisted with dance routines and gave the young women advice for their big day this coming Saturday.

"It's not about winning, it's about giving 110 percent and saying I tried and I gave it my all," Rios said.

On Feb. 18 the program will begin with the Miss Teen and Miss Pre-Teen Moses Lake pageants at 2 p.m. in the Moses Lake High School auditorium. Tickets are $7.

Later that evening, the Miss Moses Lake Pageant will begin at 7 p.m. in the MLHS auditorium. Tickets are $12.

Tickets for both programs are $15 and can be purchased from contestants or at the door.