Editor,

On Saturday, March 18, at the 7th annual Miss Oak Harbor Scholarship Pageant, we crowned our 2023 Miss and Teen Miss Oak Harbor Royalty, who will represent our city while serving the community for the next year. We supported 15 contestants through our six-week program and ended the evening by delivering $19,000 in scholarships and awards. We continue to prove that this is not a beauty pageant but rather a program designed to encourage, inspire, and recognize the many achievements of the young women in our community.

The success of this program is not possible without the generous support of our sponsors. The Miss Oak Harbor Board of Directors humbly thanks the following businesses and individuals for their support and contributions:

Annie Cash-The Annie Cash Team, Berg Tax Accounting, Brianna Thompson, Broadview Appliance, Catherine Fakkema-Think Goodness Brand Collective, China City, Coreen Lerch-Windermere, Dominos, Dr. & Mrs. Dan E Fisher, Elaine’s Photo Studio, Erica Wasinger, Frasers Gourmet Hideaway, Gene Kelly Barner-Edward Jones, Greg Smith-Edward Jones, Island Oral & Facial Surgery, Jes Walker-Wyse, Jill Johnson-Island County Commissioner, JJ & Kathy Jones, Jolt Studio, JuelinJoi, Kate Hauter-Windermere, Kingston’s Welding & Fabrication, Laura Houck Photography, Lynnie Brown-Mary Kay, Mala Sooknanan-Paper Pie Mari Wuellner-Living on Purpose, Mark’s Auto Repair, Melissa Fritch-Color Street, Melissa York Studio, Ms Ashley’s Preschool, Puget Sound Golf Club, River Powers-Edward Jones, Ronnie Wright-Pacific Grace Tax & Accounting, Stephanie Smith, Studio Sugar, Sweet Petunias Personalization, Sylvan Learning Center of Oak Harbor, The Ballet Slipper Conservatory, The Casual House, The Greenhouse Florist & Nursery, The Perfect Fit, The Roller Barn, The Seaside Salon & Spa-North, Three Men & A Mower, Thrive Community Fitness, Triple C Constructions Services, V Maintenance, Wildwood Farm LLC, and Windermere Whidbey Island.

We would also like to thank our Mistress of Ceremonies — Erica Wasinger, our emcees — Thinalyn Ramier and Mara Powers, our judges — Lauren Cook, Lyn Bankowski, Lynn Goebel, Matthew Erikson, and Rick Boilek, our pageant moms — Elaine Torres, Marilyn, and Nikki Tesch, and our volunteer support — Abbie Martin, Cheryl Grehan, and Kristin Griffith.

We are so fortunate to live in such a caring and generous community that has a deep understanding of the value of our youth. We thank our supporters for their continued investment in our program, our contestants for their steadfast commitment to the program and its process, and the families who shared their daughters with us and cheered them on each week.

Miss Oak Harbor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to inspire, challenge, and mentor contestants while providing opportunities for them to develop life skills that will enhance their confidence, self-esteem, and sense of accomplishment.

River Powers and the entire

Miss Oak Harbor Board of Directors