Amy Stadshaug crowned Miss Poulsbo 2008

BREMERTON — Poulsbo native Amy Stadshaug is royalty once again. Stadshaug was crowned Miss Poulsbo Saturday evening as last year’s Miss Poulsbo, Alex Duchemin, passed the title at the Miss Poulsbo/Miss Kitsap Scholarship Pageant in Bremerton.

“It’s a feeling I can’t even begin to describe,” Stadshaug said after winning the title. “It’s an honor. It’s an honor, to say the least.”

Stadshaug was awarded a $5,000 scholarship, the Miss Poulsbo Crystal Trophy and an opportunity to compete at the Miss Washington Pageant in July.

Stadshaug served as Miss Kitsap in 2004 and now will represent Poulsbo, beginning a year-long journey as the face of her hometown. It’s an opportunity she will embrace every step of the way.

“Miss Kitsap (2004) was my first time,” she said. “I didn’t know what I was getting into and now I do, and that makes it even better because being Miss Poulsbo has so much meaning to me.”

Stadshaug said she will draw from her experiences as Miss Kitsap 2004 to become the best Miss Poulsbo she can be.

“Miss Kitsap (2004) prepared me ... in every aspect, to really know who I am and come here tonight and just have fun. It’s so much fun,” she said.

And for Stadshaug, being Miss Poulsbo is all about serving the community and giving back to the town she calls home.

“I learned that it’s more than the crown,” she said of her time as Miss Kitsap 2004. “It’s a commitment to not only all the volunteers (who) make this possible, but the community. It’s a whole year of service, and it’s a phenomenal feeling.”

One of Stadshaug’s primary focuses as Miss Poulsbo 2008 will be to work with and support Habitat for Humanity, her 2008 platform.

“I have a lot of ideas and goals to do with Habitat (for Humanity),” said Stadshaug, who has volunteered for the Habitat for Humanity chapters of Kitsap County and the University of Washington.

Stadshaug will compete at the Miss Washington pageant — scheduled for July 11-12 at the Pantages Theatre in Tacoma — with an opportunity to advance to the Miss America Pageant.

“Miss Washington is that awesome opportunity to run for Miss America, and we’re two steps away from that,” Stadshaug said. “That’s just unbelievable.”

Heidi Nicks, a junior at the University of Washington, finished runner-up to Stadshaug. Allie Lunden, a 22-year-old Western Washington University graduate, finished as second runner-up.

While the lights of Miss Washington may be shine brightly on the horizon, Stadshaug said she will carry a piece of Little Norway with her every step of the way.

“Poulsbo, I think of it as this quaint little town. Even though it’s expanded so much, it still has that hometown feel,” said Stadshaug, whose grandparents live in Norway. “It’s such an honor to represent my heritgage. It’s a wonderful community.”

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