WHEREAS, The Miss Auburn Scholarship Program is the leading community-based scholarship competition of its kind in Washington State; and

WHEREAS, The Miss Auburn Scholarship pageant is an official preliminary to the Miss Washington and Miss America pageants; and

WHEREAS, The Miss Auburn Scholarship Program is a dynamic educational program that provides opportunities for young women to expand their quest for knowledge and acquire skills to better equip them for future opportunities; and

WHEREAS, Twenty year old Whitney Van Vleet was crowned Miss Auburn out of a pool of nine remarkable contestants; and

WHEREAS, Sixteen year old Olivia Thomas was crowned Miss Auburn's Outstanding Teen; and

WHEREAS, Whitney is a student at Pacific Lutheran University studying Criminal Justice; and

WHEREAS, After completing her graduate degree Whitney aspires to one day become a major crimes detective in Auburn; and

WHEREAS, Whitney has participated in over twelve live-theater productions in the Auburn community and can sing in five languages; and

WHEREAS, Whitney has trained seven guide dogs for the organization Guide Dogs for the Blind and she competed on the platform of Guide Dogs for the Blind emphasizing the importance of community service; and

WHEREAS, Whitney sang a very powerful rendition of "O Mio Babbino Carro" by Puccini in Italian to demonstrate her talent; and

WHEREAS, Olivia is a Junior at Auburn Mountainview High School and a six-year National Honor Society member; and

WHEREAS, Olivia hopes to obtain a Doctor of Medicine degree and go on to become a pediatrician working overseas; and

WHEREAS, Olivia is a talented vocalist and has performed in theater for 11 years including a part in a movie; and

WHEREAS, Olivia competed on the platform of Mental Illness Awareness and Suicide Prevention and has been counselor to kids at several camps in Auburn; and

WHEREAS, Olivia spent time raising money for the Auburn Humane Society and successfully raised over $400;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate recognize and support the good work of the Miss Auburn Scholarship Program; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Miss Auburn Scholarship Program, Whitney Van Vleet, Miss Auburn 2018, and Olivia Thomas, Miss Auburn Outstanding Teen 2018.