WOODWARD – After being discontinued for seven years, the Miss Northwest Passage pageant is back.
According to Pageant Co-Executive Director Terri Sunderland, the pageant will feature 10 contestants in the Teen division and eight in the Miss division.
The Miss Northwest Passage pageant performance is scheduled to begin 6:30 p.m. Sunday at the Woodward Arts Theatre. It is being organized and coordinated by Sunderland and former Miss Northwest Passage First Runner-up 2017 Mary Conner. The work to put on the pageant has been fast and furious in this first return year, Sunderland said. “But it will be so worth it,” she said. “We just wanted to bring it back because it is such a good opportunity for building confidence and self-esteem.”
According to Sunderland, the original Miss Northwest Passage pageant was created in 1999 and was the brainchild of Judith Fussell Henthorn and Carolyn Ames, who were the directors with Sally Miller taking over after Fussell-Henthorn stepped down. Ames and Miller continued to direct the pageant until 2018, when the pageant was halted, Sunderland said.
“We were fortunate in those 19 years to have our winners awarded numerous accolades such as: Rookie Talent, Overall Talent, Miss America Scholarship, Community Service, Numerous top 5 winners, Miss America top 10, Miss America 1st Runner-up , Miss Oklahoma, Miss Oklahoma Outstanding Teen, Miss America Outstanding Teen, plus being awarded Outstanding pageant at Miss Oklahoma,” Conner said. “Miss Northwest Passage was an outstanding public relations tool for Northwest Oklahoma and Woodward community. Thanks Woodward and donors for all the past and especially the present generous support.”
The Miss Northwest Passage pageant was and still is a preliminary for the Miss Oklahoma Pageant, Sunderland said. It is listed as such on the Miss Oklahoma website as one of the 34 pageants in which a winner will be permitted to compete in the Miss Oklahoma pageant the following year.
After competing in numerous pageants, Conner said the pageant experience was the foundation of much of her personal success.
“I have received so much from people like Terri and there is just a lot of knowledge you get. I learned a lot of things from several Miss Oklahomas and I feel like now I just want to give back,” Conner said.
This year, Miss Northwest Passage contestants in both the Teen and Miss competitions will compete in an interview category, talent, active wear, on-stage questions and the evening gown competition, Sunderland said.
The Miss prize package includes; $1,000 cash scholarship, a diamond ring valued at $2,100 from The Jewelry Station, fitness shoes from Brown’s Shoe Fit, fitness and meal plan from Motivated Fitness, interview coaching by Alicia Clifton and Claire Murchison, pictures by James Photography, a $400 gift card to Top Cat Formal, eyelashes from Bela Weber, Bouquet of roses from The Rusty Bucket Garden Shop.
The Teen prize package includes; $500 cash scholarship, a diamond ring valued at $1,000 from The Jewelry Station, fitness shoes from Brown’s Shoe Fit, fitness and meal plan from Motivated Fitness, interview coaching by Alicia Clifton and Claire Murchison, pictures by James Photography, a $400 gift card to Top Cat Formal, eyelashes from Bela Weber, Bouquet of roses from The Rusty Bucket Garden Shop.
Contestants in the Teen division include: Christina Jenlink, Dawsyn Burgess, Madison Bradley, Hailey Schaefer, Madeline Ryerson, Taylor Sullivan, Tanith Erikson, Emma Gloria, Katie Davis and Landri Jones.
Contestants in the Miss division include: Marli Jay Tanquary, Megan Bradley, Emma Place, Darcy George, Jessica Davis, Paige Marie Condon, Katelyn Woods and Emily Smith.
