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By Jana Mathia
Gazette Editor 

Roberts competes for state crown

 

August 6, 2020

Anna Roberts holding her Miss Whitman County for America sash.

Anna Roberts from Colfax, daughter of Chris and Tammy Roberts of Dusty, will represent Whitman County this Saturday, Aug. 8, at the state pageant in Olympia for the title Miss Washington for America. Roberts has lived in Whitman County her whole life and currently works at Washington State University.

She graduated from LaCrosse High School in 2013 and is now studying Veterinary Technology through San Juan College and plans to become a licensed Veterinary Technician.

Anna enjoys reading, writing, and agriculture. For the past ten years she has been raising Suffolk sheep and plans to have her own farm in the area someday. Among her other goals, she hopes to expand her online business, Bucks N' Roses Boutique, and eventually have a storefront in downtown Colfax.

According to Roberts, Miss Washington for America pageant is a newer pageant, only in its second year. It is a sister pageant to the Mrs. Washington America pageant but is open to 18 and older single, divorced, and widowed women with or without children. It is more inclusive than many other Miss pageants for adult women. Its goal is to empower and mentor women to make a difference in their communities.

Roberts became aware of it after she started to look for scholarship options and decided to look into pageants.

"There were hundreds! I've only been in one pageant before in high school so I was nervous about joining one," said Roberts. "I chose this one because it offered workshops to help prepare for the pageant and also offers other skills that can help in job interviews, volunteering and public speaking. Miss Washington for America 2019 lives in Spokane and the more I talked to her the more I wanted to join."

Roberts chose the local title of Miss Whitman County. Contestants choose the city or county they wish to represent when they sign. There are no preliminary events to the state pageant.

"This is a great pageant system for women that are looking to gain confidence in public settings and find support for their business or personal goals," Roberts said.

If chosen as Miss Washington for America, Roberts will use her platform "Be Your Own Inspiration" to encourage individuals to find their self-worth and not only follow their dreams, but focus on living them. She will also continue to support local charities, spread awareness and advocate for agriculture, Alzheimer's, autism, ending the mental health stigma and more.

Pageant contestants receive 50% of their score from an interview with the judges, 25% from physical fitness and the remaining 25% formal gown. With the pageant being so new, and COVID-19 this year, there won't be a scholarship, but there are plans for one in the future years, according to Roberts. Miss Washington for America will go to the national pageant in Las Vegas and compete for Miss for America.

"I know that pageants after high school aren't heard of very often in Whitman County, but I hope to see more women join in the future. It is a rewarding experience," said Roberts.

Author Bio

Jana Mathia, Reporter

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Jana Mathia is a reporter at the Whitman County Gazette.

 

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