Lisa Bluhm is new Mrs. Washington for 2011
The 2011 Mrs. Washington winner Lisa Bluhm answers a question from Pageant Director Dave Curnel.
MOSES LAKE - Lisa Bluhm won the 2011 Mrs. Washington beauty pageant Saturday.
Bluhm beat seven other women to win the contest held at Moses Lake High School.
She will go on to compete in the Mrs. America competition in White Sulphur Springs, W. Va., from March 31 to April 14.
Bluhm, the fourth runner-up in last year's competition, said she started competing a couple years ago when she turned 40.
"I was feeling kind of frumpy. I wanted to say, 'Hey, I still got it at 40,'" she said. " I had some goals I wanted to reach, but then as I progressed in the pageant I found there was more community service and volunteerism I wanted to do."
Bluhm competed as Mrs. Pacific Northwest on a platform called "Unlock Your Potential," saying she wants people to inspire and encourage others to discover their goals and help teach them the steps to achieve them.
"I believe that everyone has the potential to do great things and in doing so, they become better people, who have a positive impact on the people around them and their community" she said in a pre-recorded message.
Bluhm has competed in marathons, triathlons, led women's and children's groups, coached teams and has started a business, she stated on her website.
"After being a stay-at-home mom for several years, I took my passion for creating soldered art and shared it with others. My company, Simply Swank, was born," she wrote. "I developed my own technique and product line that is now sold in stores globally."
She said her two teenage sons find her competing in beauty pageants foreign, but good.
"I think they're pretty proud of their mom," she said.
The contestants competed in three events during the two-day event. They were interviewed by the judges Friday, and had a swimsuit and evening gown competition Saturday.
Tamara DePorter was won the first runner-up spot and Dionne Tarter was named the second runner-up.