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Lauren Aubertin crowned Miss Spokane Valley Ambassador

Lauren Aubertin, center, from University High School was crowned Miss Spokane Valley Ambassador March 22. Ashley Eggleston, left, from Valley Christian was first runner-up and Nicole Luth, right, from Central Valley High School was second runner-up.Courtesy of Spokane Valley Chamber (Courtesy of Spokane Valley Chamber / The Spokesman-Review)
By Nina Culver nculver47@gmail.com
Lauren Aubertin, center, from University High School was crowned Miss Spokane Valley Ambassador March 22. Ashley Eggleston, left, from Valley Christian was first runner-up and Nicole Luth, right, from Central Valley High School was second runner-up.Courtesy of Spokane Valley Chamber (Courtesy of Spokane Valley Chamber / The Spokesman-Review)

When University High School junior Lauren Aubertin was crowned Miss Spokane Valley Ambassador last Saturday, she was so shocked she didn’t even recognize her name when it was called.

“I forgot all the choreography they taught me,” she said. “I just walked forward and waved. It was very exciting.”

Fifteen girls participated in the final competition and were judged on an interview, a speech, their answer to an impromptu question and their poise while wearing a formal gown. “Fifty percent of it was the interview, so most of it was based on your answers and your character,” Aubertin said.

“It was really neat,” she said. “All the girls in the top 15 got along really well.”

She had heard of the annual competition sponsored by the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce from a girl she knew who participated in last year’s competition. “It just sounded great. It sounded like so much fun.”

In her application essay Aubertin wrote about the people who have impacted her, particularly her youth pastors at Redeemer Lutheran Church. “They’ve been my mentors,” she said. “They’ve really helped me become myself. I’m using what they’ve taught me in a positive way.”

As part of her job representing Spokane Valley, Aubertin will be in the Lilac Parade as well as attending ribbon cuttings, grand openings and other events. “I’m a busy girl anyway,” she said. “I’m used to it.”

Aubertin participates in her school’s choir, orchestra and drama club. She’s a lifeguard and swim instructor at the Valley YMCA, takes hip-hop dance classes, is a senior Girl Scout and is active in her church youth group. She has lived in the area all her life with the exception of two stints in Hong Kong because of her father’s job with Agilent Technologies. The first trip was only for a couple months when she was 3, the second spanned her entire fifth- and sixth-grade years.

“It was really fun,” she said. “It was a great experience. We got to travel to a lot of different places.”

With her win, Aubertin received a $1,000 college scholarship. She hasn’t decided on a college yet, but has been looking at Northwest University in Kirkland, Wash., and several Christian colleges in Portland. She said she wants to be a youth minister in international missions.

“I always enjoyed working with kids,” she said “I’ve watched my youth ministers. I’ve always kind of envied their jobs. I’ve always loved to travel and I love to see new cultures.”

Sharing the stage with her last Saturday were runners-up Ashley Eggleston of Valley Christian School and Nicole Luth of Central Valley High School. They each received $500 scholarships.