Carly Jordan named Miss Spokane Valley

Carly Jordan remembers looking into the audience and seeing her ecstatic cousins Brooke Jordan, 8, and Savannah Brown, 4.

They were cheering for Carly last Saturday night after she was crowned the 2005 Miss Spokane Valley.

“It’s good for them to have positive role models,” the University High School junior said. “I’m glad I can be that for them.

The Miss Spokane Valley Ambassador program, sponsored by the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, filled West Valley High School’s auditorium, which has a capacity of 225.

In her new role, Jordan will represent Spokane Valley at parades, grand openings and other community events throughout the year. Joining her are Amanda Hansen of University High School and Laura Schlect of Valley Christian School, who were crowned as members of the Miss Spokane Valley court.

Jordan earned a $1,000 scholarship, and Hansen and Schlect each earned $500 scholarships, payable to the colleges they choose to attend.

The event went smoothly, chamber president and CEO Eldonna Gossett said.

“It was something to really be proud of,” she added.

Gossett said it was especially gratifying to hear the contestants talk about their love of the Valley community.

“Many of the girls commented about things to do in the region, but they were mostly focused on the relationships and the spirit of the community,” she said.

The Miss Spokane Valley competition began in the 1930s, but came to an end in 1979. The chamber revived the program last year, putting more emphasis on scholarship and service and less on pageantry.

The 2004 Miss Spokane Valley, Andrea Flint of West Valley High School, relinquished her crown Saturday night. Her court included Megan Steele and Kristyne Westermann, also of West Valley.

Thirteen girls, representing five Valley schools, competed for the 2005 title. A 14th, Britta Dahlstrom, had to step out of the competition because of a prior choir commitment she had Saturday, Gossett said.

All the girls showed a strong commitment to community service, Gossett said.

“Our future is in good hands,” she said.