The 71st annual Miss Clark County competition was held Feb. 23 at Ridgefield High School. Seventeen candidates competed for four titles; also on the scene were 28 younger “princesses” who are participating in Miss Clark County’s mentoring program for girls ages 6 through 12.
“Our mission is to help young ladies achieve their scholastic and career goals” through mentoring and skill-building in areas such as public speaking, resume writing, and “poise and elegance, of course,” said Sheri Backous, executive director of the Miss Clark County Scholarship Organization. “They are just a delight to work with. It doesn’t matter if they win the crown, they build so many skills through this program.”
“Women need to be empowered,” Backous added. “Despite the push for equality, there’s still some inequality in our society. Miss Clark County helps empower young women to do their very best.”
Miss Clark County is an official preliminary to the Miss Washington and Miss America programs. Here’s the list of this year’s winners:
• Annie Straight was named Miss Clark County. She’s a pre-law student at Clark College and the daughter of Kristi and Tom Straight. She received $2,300 in scholarships and more than $1,700 in prizes.
• Morgan Greco was named Miss Clark County’s Outstanding Teen, as well as winner of the overall talent and lifestyle-fitness awards. She’s a student at Skyridge Middle School and the daughter of Rose Weithas and Mark Greco. She received $1,300 in scholarships plus $1,500 in prizes.
• Glory Boieriu was named Miss Greater Vancouver. She’s a senior studying teaching at Washington State University Vancouver and the daughter of Ovi and Mariana Boieriu. She received $2,000 in scholarships, a full-tuition scholarship to the International Air and Hospitality Academy, and more than $1,700 in prizes.
• Emma Boonabi-Mirfathali was named Miss Greater Vancouver’s Outstanding Teen, as well as winner of the Fourpoints Award and the People’s Choice Award. She’s a junior at Mountain View High School and the daughter of Amanda Mirfathali. She received $1,437 in scholarships plus $1,500 in prizes.
First runner-up for Miss Clark County was Aly Welch and second runner-up was Isabella Reese. Community Service and People’s Choice awards went to MaKayla Wilson. McKenzie Hammond was named Miss Congeniality.
First runner-up for Miss Clark County’s Outstanding Teen was Natalie Worthy, who also received the Community Service Award. Second runner-up was Sandra Fachiol, who also received the Patriotism Reigns award. Norah Skogen was named Miss Congeniality.
“Scholarships and prizes were the largest in years due to the fabulous sponsors,” including several involved families and many other donors and sponsors, Backous said.
