Transplanted sixth-grader’s future holds pageant

Katherine Conley is a sixth-grader at Roosevelt Elementary School in Spokane. New to the Valley from the South Hill, she will be attending Evergreen Middle School in September. Also in September, she will be competing in Seattle for the National American Miss Pageant.

Conley’s mom, Kelly Trowbridge, rebuffs the pageant myths.

“I was very hesitant about letting her compete in a pageant,” she said, “but National American Miss has rules in place to help take the focus off beauty and turn it to self-development.”

Participants are marked down for appearing too “made up,” dressing too maturely, and overly posing. “It’s more about being comfortable with who you are, public speaking, making friends and having fun,” said Conley, 12.

Conley raises money to help with the cost of the pageant by selling jewelry that she makes. Using stainless steel, beads, Australian crystal, and aluminum, she creates unique necklaces and earrings.

Her grandfather taught her one technique: chain mail. It is the ancient method of linking aluminum and was used under armor for added protection. She adds crystals to her chain mail designs. Her jewelry has earned her about $600.

Conley also knits, sews, cooks, gardens and enjoys drawing in pencils and oil pastels. “If I didn’t do art, I’d feel confined,” she said, “Some people write in diaries and things, but I express myself through art. If I didn’t have that, I’d explode.”

Conley has many passions and many options for her future. She loves to learn and enjoys reading and writing. She’d like to be a dentist in order to give others a confident smile, or a flight attendant so she could see the world. She cares about animals and will be volunteering at SCRAPS in the near future. Currently, she has a rat, a beta fish, a Pomeranian/Chihuahua mix dog and a cat.