Miss Yuma County: 'It was awesome"

Jade Miller dreams of going to beauty school and one day becoming a pastor.

But first 17-year-old Miller is living out a more current big dream.

Miller was crowned Miss Yuma County over the weekend, an achievement Miller says still leaves her a bit speechless when she relives the moment the crown was placed on her head.

"It was just awesome!" the pageant winner raved Monday. "I don't know to explain it in words. That moment was almost overwhelming, but in a good way!"

Miller was crowned Saturday during the annual Miss Yuma County Scholarship Pageant, held at the Kofa High School auditorium.

Nine girls competed for the crown, which was relinquished that night by the former Miss Yuma County - Antigone Mitchell.

"This was a tough competition," said Andrea Priest, pageant co-executive director. "We had nine very dynamic and beautiful contestants, but Jade executed Saturday night and the judges saw something special in her. We're excited for the upcoming year and we know she'll be a great Miss Yuma County!"

Miller said that winning was thrilling, but she stressed that crown or no crown, the pageant was already a winning experience long before Saturday.

"Over the past few months this has been a life-changing experience," she said. "Since I started running I've gained so many friends and so much confidence."

Priest commended Miller for all her hard work preparing for the big day.

"For the past couple months, Jade has spent countless hours preparing for the pageant," the pageant leader said. "She has participated in rehearsals, worked to improve her public speaking skills, practiced her talent over and over again and so much more. There is a great deal that goes into this competition and I think she understood exactly what she needed to do to win."

Miller is the daughter of DeLora Christie and sister of Jazz Miller, 18, who often stayed up until 2 a.m. helping Miller practice questions for the pageant's interview portion.

Miller is a senior at Kofa High School.

Miller was inspired to run for Miss Yuma County thanks to a dance class, which happened to be taught by Antigone Mitchell. Miller also credits the encouragement of former pageant executive Analisa McBride.

"I just wanted to see what would happen," she said, adding words of praise for her fellow contestants. "I had no idea (about winning). All the other girls were so beautiful and so confident. I was just taking it minute by minute and having fun."

What happened was Miller being crowned, a milestone that has inspired several special celebrations for Miller and her family. On Sunday morning she was treated to a special brunch at the Garden Cafe, followed by another special meal that day with family. But perhaps one of the most special celebrations came when Miller attended Champion Church, located in Yuma at 3625 S. Avenue 5 E, on Sunday.

"When the pastors announced it everyone clapped and then they all prayed for me. It was awesome."

The church plans a major role in Miller's life, something she says will only continue to grow as the years pass.

She explained that she's always loved having church in her life and has dreamed of becoming a pastor for the past several years.

"When I was little I would walk myself to church every Sunday and when I went to Champion I got a huge influence from all the pastors there," she said. "Over the past few years I've just had the desire to help plant people in God's house and just help it grow."

But Miller is already making a difference in her community, especially with her pageant platform of preventing neglect of elders through community service by teens.

"We have a young lady who is eager to start making a difference in Yuma County," Priest said. "In fact, the morning after the pageant, she asked me how soon she could start making appearances and talking about her service platform. We like to see that kind of go-getter attitude. She's ready for this job and we're confident she'll succeed."

Miller's next pageant will be an even bigger one - Miss Arizona. That event is slated for June of next year.

"I'm excited for that. It's going to be so much fun," she said. "It's going to be a lot of preparation, but fun preparation that is all going to pay off, like community service, showing off my platform - and shopping."

Darin Fenger can be reached at dfenger@yumasun.com or 539-6860.