Stadshaug brings home Miss Kitsap 2004 crown

Two years ago, Kingston’s Canon Henness took the stage and was crowned Miss Kingston.

But the stunned 17-year-old admitted that the experience didn’t really prepare her for being named the 50th woman to wear the Miss Poulsbo crown.

In fact, when her name was called out of the five Miss Poulsbo contestants at the Miss Poulsbo/Miss Kitsap Pageant Saturday night, Henness said she turned to the girl next to her and said, “Are you kidding?

“I honestly thought it would be easier the second time around and less of a shock, but it’s not,” Henness commented amid a barrage of flash photography after the pageant. “I’m just in shock.”

For the new Miss Kitsap, apparently the second time was also a charm.

Amy Stadshaug of Bremerton, the only returnee from last year’s Miss Kitsap contestants, came out on top in a talented bank of nine Kitsap County women.

“It was so much fun last year. It was just amazing,” Stadshaug said of the reasons that brought her back for another run at the title. “I learned so much last year and I know that helped me this year.”

Henness is the daughter of James and Lija Henness and Tim and Kathleen Wright. The North Kitsap High School senior hopes to study criminal justice and theater in college. She has chosen “senior citizen appreciation” as her platform for her coming year as Miss Poulsbo.

Stadshaug is the daughter of Mark and Susan Stadshaug. She is a 2003 Olympic High School graduate and a University of Washington freshman. Her platform is “Habitat for Humanity” for her upcoming term as Miss Kitsap.

Kelsey Erickson of Poulsbo, daughter of Jon and Debbie Mathews, was named first runner-up for the Miss Poulsbo title. Erickson, a former Viking Fest princess and current North Kitsap High School ASB president, will be attending Washington State University this fall.

“I was really excited and surprised,” she said of hearing her name called. “I feel honored to be first runner up to Miss Poulsbo and the scholarship money will help me a lot.”

Emerald Mansfield of Bremerton, daughter of Rodney and Marina Mansfield, was named first runner up for Miss Kitsap. The 2003 Olympic College graduate who hopes to study biology and naturopathy marked her first pageant experience Saturday and said she’d definitely consider participating again.

“It’s nothing like I ever expected,” she commented. “It was a lot of fun, a lot of hard work and a lot of frustration but it was worth it.”

Henness and Stadshaug will next compete in the Miss Washington Pageant, which is scheduled to take place July 3 in Tacoma. The finalist from Miss Washington advances to the Miss America contest.

The two titleholders also each received $5,000 scholarships, runners up received $1,000 a piece and all non-finalists were given $400. About $18,200 total in scholarship money was given out.

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