Moses Lake's Junior Miss is state runner up
Courtesy photoFrom left: Washington Junior Miss second runner-up Desiree Winters, Junior Miss Polina Carlson and first runner-up Ashley Tucker smile Saturday at the Washington Junior Miss competition in Pullman.
Wins scholarship money
MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake Junior Miss Ashley Tucker was named first runner-up at the Washington Junior Miss competition in Pullman.
Leavenworth Junior Miss Polina Carlson received the title of Washington Junior Miss for 2008-2009 on Saturday. Fairchild Air Force Base Junior Miss Desiree Winters was second runner-up.
Tucker, 17, said she was satisfied with her performance at the competition. She said even if she didn’t place, she still would have been happy with the event.
“Really, I was just happy anyway, because the whole week was fun,” Tucker said.
Program Chair Danielle Kallaher said the 21 competing teens came into town Tuesday and had their routines perfected by Saturday. Participants did an opening routine, fitness routine and self expression routine.
“They did a lot in a very short amount of time,” Kallaher said.
She estimated 600 people were in the audience.
Tucker received a $1,250 scholarship for her placement. She received an additional $400 for her performance in fitness and self expression.
“I was actually pretty comfortable,” Tucker said. “We had a dress rehearsal that same day.”
Competitors had several other opportunities to practice, in addition to the dress rehearsal, she said.
Tucker didn’t see herself participating in any other pageants in the future. After high school, Tucker is planning to attend Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She is considering a career in dental hygiene but keeping her options open.