LAKEPORT >> Lake County residents now have one more thing to look forward to this summer: Miss Lake County has announced it is set to make a triumphant return after a hiatus that left would-be contestants and fans of the competition standing by. The 2018 event will take place at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeport on September 22, and will debut many new changes to its program.
Not least among these changes is a shift in focus to the event’s scholarship, talent, and interview components, which Jennifer Humble, 2018 Miss Lake County’s Production Manager and 2012 Miss Lake County’s winner, described as a “facelift for the organization.” The newly structured organization is now called the “Miss Lake County Scholarship Competition.”
“Miss America has been the largest provider of scholarships for women in the world, which is just amazing,” Humble said, adding that she wants to parallel that achievement in Lake County. “The new Miss Lake County is very up to date,” she said.
According to Humble, there will no longer be a swimsuit component of the program—a change that reflects a move made this year by Miss America to scrap its own swimsuit competition. In addition, the evening gown dress code will be more loosely defined, according to Humble. Humble suggested, however, that the scholarships portion of Miss Lake County has always been significant, saying: “I payed for my entire undergraduate degree with scholarships from Miss Lake County.”
This year, an initial $5,000 will go to Miss Lake County from funds raised at the Kelseyville Rotary Club’s Denim & Diamonds event. PG&E has also expressed interest in providing scholarship funds, but has not confirmed their commitment. In addition, every contestant in this year’s competition will get a sponsor in the form of a local business or organization.
Humble said that a few larger corporate sponsors had been added to the list recently, and that two new community sponsors had been confirmed in the last 24 hours.
The return of Miss Lake County was made possible, according to Humble, by “Rob Brown, who has sponsored contestants for the last ten years at least.” Brown saw that Miss Lake County had fallen under, so he “talked to the state leadership and local leadership and asked myself and a committee [to bring back the program],” Humble said. This committee includes Courtney Conkle, C.E.O. of the Lake County Fairgrounds, who will provide space for the event, as well as Jennifer Strong, who will handle financials. Laura Sylva will be in charge of social media, Alice Crockett will head up the teen division, Terry Sullivan will be in charge of the princess program, and committee member Elizabeth Larson will provide additional support. Humble is the event producer and is in charge of the Miss Lake County position.
The Miss Lake County Competition 2018 is calling for contestants currently, noting that eligible contestants must be residents of Lake County and must never have been married or given birth. Miss Lake County contestants must by aged 17—25, and the Teen contestants must be between 13 and 17 years old.
If you are interested in participating as a contestant, volunteer or sponsor, please contact misslakecountyscholarship@gmail.com.