The crown fit nicely.
Being Miss Auburn created many opportunities, new friendships and lasting memories for Victoria Knight.
“It’s been phenomenal,” Knight said of her busy commitment to the community throughout last year. “What people don’t understand about being Miss Auburn is that it is a job. The person who has this job has to love working with young and old people.”
And Knight, who recently turned 22, has enjoyed every moment of it, carrying out the duties despite her demanding schedule. She is a full-time student at the University of Washington Tacoma, a coach and mentor for three cheer squads, and an active volunteer in her community.
Knight made numerous appearances at events, spoke at countless programs and engaged and encouraged many people in her beloved home, Auburn.
“I’m probably the busiest person I know,” she said. “It’s busy, but it’s always worthwhile.”
Knight officially passes the coveted tiara and all the responsibilities that go with it on to the next queen Saturday night when the Miss Auburn Scholarship Program takes center stage at the Performing Arts Center.
A field of 17 contestants is vying for Miss Auburn, 10 for Miss Auburn’s Outstanding Teen.
The pageant gets under way at 7 p.m. Friday and concludes with the finals program at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Knight captured the Miss Auburn crown a year ago, winning $9,500 in awards, gifts and scholarships from the pageant, the largest of its kind in the country. Knight ran on the platform: Passionately Pink: Community, Commitment, Cure! (for breast cancer).
Knight is on course to graduate from UWT with a communication degree in June. She plans to pursue a master’s degree in event management and development. She wants to become a charitable events coordinator for a nonprofit organization.
The experience of performing on the brightly-lit stage in front of scrupulous judges and a large audience often separates the pretenders from the contenders.
It proved valuable for Knight in her quest for the crown a year ago.
It may help someone Saturday night.
“I believed that for myself … that was how I was getting ahead,” she said of her on-stage presence. “But I’ve watched the girls this year, and I can tell you so many of them are first-timers, and they stand out just as polished as the rest of them. So I don’t know if all the time really matters as long as you (understand) the concept of the job.”
Any advice for those competing this weekend?
“Be the best version of yourself,” Knight said. “But more than anything, especially in the interview and on-stage question, convey why you want this job, why it applies to you, why you would be good for the job.
“Miss Auburn doesn’t look one color, one shape. Miss Auburn is always something that (you) can provide within yourself.”
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Pageant Weekend
• Event: Miss Auburn Scholarship Pageant, with Miss Auburn’s Outstanding Teen Pageant (MAOT) crowns up for grabs.
• Theme: Wizard to Wicked and all Points In Between
• Schedule: 7 p.m. Friday; 6 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 25 (finals) • Stage: Auburn Performing Arts Center, 206 E. St. NE.
• Fields: 17 for Miss Auburn; 10 for Miss Auburn Teen
• Reigning queens: Victoria Knight, (Miss Auburn); Amanda Enz (MAOT)
• Program: Sponsored by the Auburn Noon Lions Club, the event is an official preliminary to the Miss Washington and Miss America Scholarship Pageants. People’s Choice Award to benefit the Auburn Food Bank.
• Awards: The scholarship program is the largest provider of scholarships to young women in the community. The program provides more than $45,000 in scholarship and awards to contestants,
• Tickets: $30-40 range, www.brownpapertickets.com.
• Information: Tickets, full bios, history at www.missauburn.org.
