Miss Farmington Applications Open

What's it like to be Miss Farmington?

On July 13, one young woman will find out what Jenny Fernandez, the 2010 title holder, already knows. It may seem early to start thinking about it, but applications for the Miss Farmington pageant are now being accepted. 

For almost eight months, Fernandez has served as the city's ambassador and as a role model for younger girls, which is the reason she applied last year.

"I got involved because I really wanted to be the young female representative for Farmington," Fernandez said. "I wanted to have a thorough understanding of what goes on in Farmington."

Among the many appearances she has made during her reign, a few stand out in her memory. Fernandez and her court – Makayla McCloskey, Chelsea Lide and Cara Whinnery – all attended the , held Feb. 5 at in Farmington Hills.

"On the surface, it was a real classy event that I felt excited to be a part of," Fernandez said, "But it was also a fundraising event that will help kids who are underprivileged. It was cool to see so many people coming together for such a great cause."

Attending the annual 9-11 day memorial ceremony and the last day of the Riley Foundation's camp for children whose families couldn't otherwise afford to give them a camp experience, also left a powerful impression, Fernandez said.

If there was a downside to her year, she said, it was having to put her best face forward, even when she wasn't feeling well or in the best of moods. But Fernandez said she has now learned how to do that, thanks to her experience.

Sponsored in the pageant by , Fernandez said she had to share a lot of information about herself in the application process. She also had to write an essay and answer questions about her application.

"It's all about putting your personality on the line," she said, "and I wanted to do that."

If you'd like to give it a try, application forms for the annual competition are now available at located on Power Road.

Pageant adds new awards

A kick-off to the annual Founders Festival celebration, the pageant will be held at the and will be emceed by WDIV Channel 4 Meteorologist Paul Gross and Kelly Duca. An "afterglow" will be held at in Farmington.

This year, the Miss Farmington board has announced a new award has been added to the program. The Walter Sundquist Humanitarian Award will be presented to a member of the community who continues to support the Miss Farmington program and believes in the efforts of the young women of our community.

Sundquist, long-time owner of Heeney-Sundquist Funeral Home, is a philanthropist whose support helped create the in downtown Farmington. The business annually sponsors a contestant in the pageant.

In addition, pageant organizer Ginny Morris said the new Miss Farmington will receive an education award that honors Dolores Riley, wife of Farmington area philanthropist George Riley, who passed away April 29, 2010. Details of the award are still being worked out with the family, Morris said.

The pageant will also continue to honor the memory of a long-time pageant supporter with the Dick Tupper Goodfellow Spirit Award. Tupper, who died early last year, was president of the Farmington Area Goodfellows, a former Farmington mayor and city council person.

Former Miss Farmingtons, including Jordan Lindsey, Erica Alanzo, Sara Duhr and Kayla Pingle have been invited to attend, along with Fernandez, Morris said.