1st Runner-up to Mrs. Oregon America 2007 - Clackamas High School was the setting for the 2007 Mrs Oregon America Pageant. The first in the season of Mrs America Pageants, eleven women competed Saturday Night, October 7 for the title of Mrs Oregon 2007.
The ladies ranged from 26 to 47, married 8 months to 23 years. It truly was an array like no other and the women not only shined, they resonated well with the judges. What a strong group, one judge was heard to have said. The evening started with an opening number choreographed by Mrs Oregon 2003, Patricia Nuttbrock, to We Are Family. Then the Jantzen Swimsuit Competition followed by the Evening Gown Competition all before intermission. As the 400 plus audience returned to their seat the emcee called all the former Mrs Oregon to stand one by one to celebrate 30 years of Mrs America. The earliest Mrs Oregon was also a Judge, Marsha Naegeli-Moody was Mrs Oregon 1990. Mrs Oregon's from 98, 99, 01, 03, 04, 05, and 06 not only support the program, are still involved in many other capacities.
After a wonderful tribute slideshow tribute presented by John McKibben, Mrs Oregon 2006's husband, it was time to announce the top 5. Taryn Stastny, Jennifer Willis, Trudi Newman, Joelle Rankins-Goodwin, and Kimberly Takla made the cut. They then changed into their opening number dresses and had an on stage interview with Las Vegas Radio Host, Chet Buchannan. Chet's amazing way of making the ladies feel comfortable allowed them the ability to have a wonderful conversation and show themselves to the audience and the judges. It was ANYONE'S game at this point.
National Champion and World Finalist Irish Dancer, Courtney Grogan provided talent while the scores were being tabulated by the auditor. The Director, Libby Crawford, presented several awards and also a check for $1600 to the Chris Dudley Foundation. The pageants goal was to raise $800 to send a child with juvenile diabetes to an intensive basketball camp where they learn to manage their insulin while playing a sport. The cost for one child to go to camp is $800. The money was raised from an online auction the pageant created on their website. They auctioned baskets that the ladies had created from each of their areas of representation. The baskets raised $1200 and Jennifer Willis of Elite Home Loans (also Mrs Southern Oregon) pitched in another $400 to the money raised so that we could send 2 children to camp. The basket that raised the most money received a Mini-Spa Day and that winner was Mrs Marion Co., Kathy Lynn Thompson raising $400!!
The time had come and the final number to Last Dance begun. One last look at all of the states semi finalist. Awards were given (see below) and then the top 5 were asked to step forward. Holding hands the top 5 were announced. 4th runner up, Jennifer Willis, Mrs Southern Or. 3rd runner up, Trudi Newman, Mrs Springfield. 2nd runner up, Taryn Stastny, Mrs Washington Co. and then there was two.
Joelle and Kimberly stepped forward as Chet made his tradition 1st runner up speech before announcing the winner. "And the 1st runner up is....Mrs Eugene, Joelle Rankins-Goodwin, that means Kimberly Takla is the New Mrs Oregon 2007"
Kimberly has a full year to prepared for the 2007 Mrs America Pageant next fall. She has dreamed of the moment ever since she was 18 when a mentor Victoria Jenkins (Mrs Oregon 1984) competed at Mrs America. "I worked so hard and am going give this title my all!" says Takla. Kimberly was the 1st runner up to Lisa Marie Menken in 2005. That seems to be the trend at Mrs Oregon's since director Libby Crawford took on the directorship, Angela Warren, Lisa Marie Menken, and Kimberly Takla were all 1st runners up and have come back the next year to win the title! Maybe the trend will continue for 1st runner up Joelle Rankins-Goodwin, this year's 1st runner up.
Evenings Awards:Most Ad Sales Joelle Rankins-GoodwinMost Ticket Sales Trudi NewmanMost Years Married Trudi NewmanPeople's Choice Award Michelle Hawkins(this award was based on the most cans collected showing support and Michelle's husband showed up with a whole flat bed truck filled!!! These cans of food go to the Oregon Food Bank.)Director's Award Joelle Rankins-Goodwin/Trudi NewmanMrs Photogenic Kimberly TaklaMrs Congeniality Jennifer WillisSpirit of Pageantry Award Shawna DyeNon Finalist Interview Shawna DyeNon Finalist Swimsuit Mariah EskoNon Finalist Evening Gown Malaika Johnston