Miss Emery plans Royal tea party for June 6

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

Once upon a time, in a kingdom called Emery County lived a princess named Holly Damron who is the reigning Miss Emery County. Miss Emery is busy preparing for a royal celebration, Miss Utah. So a lovely party is planned in her honor and you can be part of the royal treatment. This Royal Tea Party is planned for June 6 at 2 p.m. at the Castle, (Museum of the San Rafael in Castle Dale). All princesses of all ages are welcome to attend. Dress up in your princess best and have someone bring a camera. Princesses under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Please let us know if you can come to the tea party by June 1 at 381-2119, so we know how many princesses to plan for.
As this is a fund raiser for the Miss Emery to attend Miss Utah there will be a $10 cover charge for each princess and each guest. This lovely occasion will feature Disney Princesses like Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Belle and a special visit by Tinkerbelle. These princesses shall mingle with the girls and the girls can have their pictures taken with them.
As guests arrive at the Castle they will be greeted by a Fairy Godmother who will take their wishes and give them a gift. The guests will then enter the Castle where they will feast on a special princess lunch. During lunch the guests will be entertained by Miss Emery, Holly Damron and her current Little Miss, Hanna Huntington. They will also learn princess etiquette by Emery County Commissioner and princess specialist, Laurie Pitchforth.
After the lunch and entertainment the princesses will adjourn to the courtyard for activities. They will participate in a buggy ride, fingernail painting, necklace making and have their pictures taken. All princesses of all ages are welcome to attend this royal event.
Miss Emery Holly Damron is busily preparing for her trip to Miss Utah the week of June 15. She has been practicing her talent number which is a song entitled “Stuff Like That There,” from a Bette Midler movie, “For the Boys.”
“I have been practicing my walk in my shoes, to get used to them. I have been going swimming to get ready for the swimsuit and fitness category. I have been active with my platform this past year. I have completed several projects for support of military families while their loved ones are serving. We held a dinner for the American Legion where the essay winners read their stories. I was involved with the Miss Emery golf tournament which also helped raise funds for the Operation Home Support and the Children’s Miracle Network.
“I would encourage girls to get involved with the Miss Emery pageant. It’s a good way to get involved in your community in a big way. It opens doors and access to people and resources. I was able to promote my platform and it has been great.
“I have had fun getting involved in Miss Utah, too. I met the other contestants and it’s great to meet them and see what their passions are and their platform issues. It’s been enlightening to meet these girls and I’ve learned a lot from them already. They are so willing to help and offer suggestions. There are girls who have competed in Miss Utah before and they have really helped. I went to a Safe Kids Fair in Salt Lake and helped teach children about safety, bike and fire, and other issues. I can be a role model for these children and I think that’s great. Getting involved and making a difference is important.
“Participating in pageants has been great for my confidence. I’m not afraid to get on stage in various costumes and compete. You don’t have to be scandalous, just wear something comfortable. There are some girls who are afraid to get in a swimsuit for the swimwear category, but I tell them you’re only on stage for like five seconds and you can wear something modest; it’s not that big of a deal.
“You get the most points for the interview competition. The judges are more concerned with what you know and not how you look. Being confident is more important. Just be yourself. If you want to be in the Miss Emery pageant on July 11, but don’t have any dresses, I can help out, I have a lot of dresses.
“I’m excited to spend a week at Miss Utah with all the girls. It will be fun to be with the current Miss Utah, Kayla Barclay. She is great.
“They are having the ‘Show Us Your Shoes’ parade again this year. I am going to spotlight the Green River watermelon. I have a sun dress that we’ve made out of watermelon material and I’m decorating my shoes to look like watermelons. You are supposed to showcase something from your county with your outfit and shoes.
“It will be fun to have my Little Miss, Hanna Huntington to accompany me, too. The Little Miss girls will have their own production number and then they escort their contestant during the evening wear. On the Wednesday of the show will be my onstage question and evening wear, Thursday is talent and Friday is swim wear,” said Damron.
If you are a girl between the ages of 17 and 24 you can be in the Miss Emery pageant. The winner receives a new laptop computer and a $1,200 scholarship for college. The first runner up receives $800 and the second runner up is $500. You will compete in interview, swim wear, talent, onstage question and evening wear. Contact Jarilyn at 381-5667, Leslie at 381-2190 or Patsy at 381-2431 to sign up. The pageant is on July 11. The new Miss Emery will help out at the county fair in August and ride in parades and other activities as well as prepare for Miss Utah 2010.