ShawnAnn Hope's 1973 Miss Clatsop County Pageant Journal
Photos from The Daily Astorian
February 20, 1973. I decide to go out for the Miss Clatsop County Pageant. My first Miss Clatsop County Pageant meeting was at the U.S. Bank in Astoria. I was working on 500 words about me for the Miss Clatsop County Pageant.
With God's help, I know I will do my best — not necessarily win — just my best with God's help. If I do not get it, at least I have something to look forward to before I leave for New York City in September for drama school.
March 9, 1973. My next thing to work on is to start my sessions on Saturdays for the Miss Clatsop County Pageant.
March 17, 1973. Mom made me tell Lala (grandmother Margaret Ragnhild Becken Roman) that I was accepted at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts In New York City. Then Lala found out that I was going to be in the Miss Clatsop County Pageant and she got all mixed up. Eventually she said, "So you want to be on TV.” I said no, even though that would be nice.
March 6, 1973. I received a letter from the Parkside Evangeline Residence from New York City.
March 19, 1973. I received an additional letter from the Parkside Evangeline in New York City.
Friday, March 31, 1973. Molly Hope was commenting that she and I could go out together and, I would have the talent and she has the looks, the legs and the waist. I thought to myself that that was mean.
April 6, 1973. Sally Hope saw me downtown in rollers, and she commented, as many other people did, because if you are going out for the Miss Clatsop County Pageant, we are not supposed to be caught downtown in rollers.
We had our first Miss Clatsop County Pageant meeting. At the beginning of the day, I did not think I wanted to go to the Miss Clatsop County Pageant meeting. Tonight at 7 p.m., I did not feel nervous or excited about it at all.
Saturday, April 7, 1973. I worked at Custard King today. I was reading the play "Butterflies Are Free" to Kathy O'Brien and Carol, and some lady outside of Custard said to Carol, "She (meaning me) isn't a very good actress!” That made me feel badly.
Kathy O'Brien told me that she thought Paula A. would win and I would be first runner up. I completely disagreed. Kathy O'Brien told me both good and bad things about me because I asked her.
Sally Hope informed me that Paula A. (last year’s first runner up) was now going out for Miss Clatsop County, as well as Paulette Hankel (a fantastic singer). I really felt like dropping out.
Wednesday, April 11, 1973. Pam Sharp, my former neighborhood friend, Informed me that the Miss Clatsop County Pageant was just like the big pageant, and that they would pick a tall, slim girl to be the winner. She actually said it to my face and it made me feel better to know, I have no chance to win because I am only 5'2".
Friday, April 13, 1973. At 5:30 p.m., I went home to get ready for the Miss Clatsop County Pageant meeting. There were only 3 of us there. We are primarily practicing our stances. My chaperone is Mrs. Danny Jones.
Saturday, April 14, 1973. My boyfriend told me I was doing too many things. He said that I work two jobs, have the Miss Clatsop County Pageant, and the play "Butterflies Are Free." He said I do not have time for him. He continued to gripe at me until I went upstairs in our house to sleep. I went to visit Mrs. Jones, my chaperone, at the beauty parlor, where she works.
Tuesday, April 18, 1973. When I got home from work today at Bumble Bee Seafoods, I found in the mail a form about the Miss Clatsop County Pageant and it had my name as going first, according to whom would go first and, which order. I had been told before that I would be going out second. Now I had to get the book, "Gone with the Wind" to obtain an excerpt from it for my
talent.
Saturday, April 21, 1973. I woke at 8 a.m. today and I am really bored. I thought about the play "Butterflies Are Free" and the Miss Clatsop County Pageant. The only thing I had to live for today was my picture to be put into The Daily Astorian for the Miss Clatsop County Pageant and my radio recording at KVAS. Then Grace Teeter (Miss Clatsop County chaperone) called me to inform me that she would meet with me at The Daily Astorian at 2 p.m.
I wore my hair back in ringlets with two side curls up front. I wore my purple outfit. A lady at The Daily Astorian asked me questions and typed at the same time. A man took my pictures. I spoke. It really felt like fun, now. I told the woman all about New York City acting school and how I had to audition for the academy in San Francisco (Los Altos). I could go next spring or earlier. Then I went to KVAS and my voice was really hoarse. I felt so bad. I had to make two tapes for the Miss Clatsop County Pageant.
Wednesday, April 25, 1973. Miss Clatsop County Pageant interviews, etc.
Sunday, April 29, 1973. Astoria Regatta tea. I got myself all dressed for the Astoria Regatta tea. I felt I did not look as good as I wanted to, though. I felt lousy, too. Jackie Aho and I more or less stayed together at the tea because our hostesses happened to know each other and they continued to talk with each other. We met the Astoria Regatta rincesses. We had pictures taken of us outside Mrs. Halderman's historic house.
Friday, May 4, 1973. Miss Clatsop County pictures in The Daily Astorian today. At 3 p.m., the ladies from the Bumble Bee Seafoods office got The Daily Astorian and there were all five of the Miss contestants in it. I was the only one with a side view and my eyes were looking down. People told me that it was a really good picture; but, they always say things like that because it is important to just be kind to one another. I wore my hair back and the purple outfit I made about five years ago when I was a sophomore in high school.
At our Miss Clatsop County Pageant meeting today, we decided how we would come down the aisles at the Liberty Theater and then get into our formal dresses. I had only six minutes to get into my talent outfit. I about died!!!! I did not think it was possible. I had a horrible night thinking how quickly I could get dressed. My stomach about freaked out.
My boyfriend did not come down from Portland this weekend. I just wanted to be by myself. People would say to me, "Here she comes, Miss Clatsop County." And it would make me feel good. But at the Miss Clatsop County Pageant meetings, I would be disappointed.
Saturday, May 5, 1973. Tonight I practiced getting out of my Miss Clatsop County dress and into my costume in 4 minutes. I have decided to show off my widow's peak after all because when I pulled my hair down, my curls will be underneath. I practiced with my crown which I received when I was a princess at Star of the Sea School. I really looked good.
Sunday, May 6, 1973. Went out with Aunt Mary (Hope Barrett). (She was a former Astoria Regatta princess). My chest broke out with a rash from my nerves, thinking about the play and the pageant. I got up two times last night and vomited. We went out to breakfast (my sisters, aunt and I).
Monday, May 7, 1973. I am a tour guide at Bumble Bee Seafoods. It is good for my acting. At my work, Bumble Bee Seafoods, some people at the cannery would say that they had seen a picture of me in The Daily Astorian or "That was a cute picture of you in the paper.” One guy at bumble bee, said, "Hello Miss Clatsop County."
At the play "Butterflies Are Free" I had to take all of my clothes off down to my underpants and bra for timing purposes and I was not even prepared.
I received two receipts from the AADA (American Academy of Dramatic Arts) for $265.00 which I had sent to them.
Play practice for "Butterflies Are Free" went really well tonight. I was a bit self-conscious of just being in my underwear in front of the people who were in the play and the ones who were sitting around watching me do the play. My boyfriend in the play (Mike Kuala) messed up his lines and then I did!!!
Tuesday, May 8, 1973. Miss Clatsop County dress rehearsal. At work at Bumble Bee Seafoods, people still talk to me about my picture being in The Daily Astorian. I only had 3 tours today at Bumble Bee Seafoods and I was happy because I had been hoarse all day long. I had play practice tonight.
Wednesday, May 9, 1973. Miss Clatsop County Pageant dress rehearsal. Merry Hope gave me a ride to Bumble Bee Seafoods. I was scared all day long for rehearsal tonight again. One of the contestants took pictures of which I hope to have many.
Thursday, May 10, 1973. The play "Butterflies Are Free" opens tonight. I have a newspaper interview about going to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. We have been having dress rehearsals every night all week.
Maureen Sunstrom called me at 6 p.m. and said that she wanted to make an interview about me, which will go into The Daily Astorian, in two weeks (so as to not hurt the other contestants). I started crying I was so upset.
Only about 20 people came to the play and my nervousness left me. Maureen Sunstrom asked me all about New York, and how active I was in the community.
Friday, May 11. 1973. "Butterflies Are Free" continues. The Civic Theatre had a few more people than last night but the place was not packed.
Saturday, May 12, 1973. "Butterflies Are Free" continues. Tony Meier came to the production tonight. And Mike Kuala (Don Baker) had been looking for me for a comment.
Sunday, May 13, 1973. "Butterflies Are Free" continues. Boy it was hot out today. Still not many people are coming to the play. We had about 27 people come tonight.
Monday, May 14, 1973. I did a little bit of practicing for the Miss Clatsop County Pageant today and tonight.
Tuesday, May 15, 1973. I did some sewing on my dress for the Miss Clatsop County Pageant. Then I studied for my Miss Clatsop County interpretation of “Gone with the Wind.” I believe that Paula A. has got it in the bag. She is performing a humorous type of interpretation with acting and singing and she really is fantastic. Mine isn't exactly like Paula's.
Wednesday, May 16, 1973. Ms. Van was working on pageant dress. Sally Hope came over to my house today and informed me that one of the contestants had commented on my bibliography being the only contestant who typed. And this Is important to the judges. It made me feel good. But why should I let them impress me. I do know that I am not going to win. We all did our talents tonight at our Miss Clatsop County meeting and Paula's was great.
Thursday, May 17, 1973. I went to Ball's Studio because I had dropped my camera and needed to get it fixed. One of the ladies commented on how beautiful my pictures were. I was the only contestant who wore her hair up.
All of the contestants’ pictures are on beautiful frames and sitting in the window at Ball's studio. The pictures looked as though they were painted.
We had practice for the Miss Clatsop County Pageant at Astoria High School. Tami Holmes and I always have so much fun. We had a pizza party at Shakey's after rehearsal with our hostesses.
Friday, May 18, 1973. Rehearsal dinner. This is where we choose Miss Congeniality. I really had nothing to look forward to today. Sally Hope gave my mom and me a ride to the Pig 'n Pancake. What a beautiful event, too. There were corsages for each of us and a bracelet with Miss Clatsop County 1973 engraved on them. We also received a pen set with six pens in it. And we received a picture of each other and our pageant booklets.
Mom had come with me to the dinner and she really got along with my best friend there (Tami Holmes). Tammie took me into the bathroom and said that she hoped that I would get Miss Congeniality. We each choose who we wanted for Miss Congeniality. Tammie holmes stated that she hoped I would get it.
Jackie, Tammie Holmes, and I discussed how proper Paula A. was. We all feel that she is going to win. My picture was in the Seaside Signal two times; once for the play and once for Miss Clatsop County Pageant. And my picture is in the Columbia Press, situated in Warrenton, Oregon.
Saturday, May 19, 1973. Miss Clatsop County Pageant. I put my hair up. I fixed my side curls and mom helped me put my make-up on. I can say that I looked good — but, not at all naturel. Mrs. Jones, my hostess, picked me up at 12:40 p.m. Then she brought me to the Astoria Public Library where all the other contestants were meeting. Then we all went up to Mrs. Farmer's house and had our judges’ tea.
Since I was Contestant 1, I had to go first in everything. Ben Padro was there and he asked me about New York City. Paula Andriesian got Miss Clatsop County, Paulette Hankel got first runner up and I got second runner up and Tami Holmes got Miss Congeniality.
Sunday, May 20, 1973. I was really embarrassed to face anyone today. I received $100 for college and a beautiful trophy (which had on it a girl in a formal holding flowers). Since I knew I wasn't going to get to be Miss Clatsop County, I wished I would have received first runner up; but, I didn't.
The scholarship money would really help pay for my education at Clatsop Community College. When I Went to work at Custard King and everyone gave me their comments on whether or not they should say anything to me. The whole day I had the blues. I tried not to even think about the pageant.
Monday, May 21, 1973. I walked down to Bumble Bee Seafoods to pick up my last check. Mrs. Roman and Judy Biddle commented on how good I had done at the Miss Clatsop County Pageant. They really seemed to be amazed. Most people I talked to didn't think I deserved second but first runner up. I found out later that most people stated that I should have not mentioned anything about New York. I wrote in my diary about New York City and dreamed about a new career.