Miss Farmington Skypes in to Farmington City Council Meeting

Although she was miles away at band camp, Miss Farmington—Elise Newcomer—told Farmington officials Monday how much her new title means to her.

She did it via Skype, a software application that allows users to communicate with voice and video over the Internet. Prior to Monday's City Council meeting, Newcomer's parents set up the connection in council chambers, a first for .

A clarinetist with the Falcons marching band, Newcomer thanked the Riley Foundation, which awarded the scholarship that came with her crown, and the community of Farmington for being supportive.

"I'm honored to be Miss Farmington, and I'm really excited for the new year," Newcomer said.

Pageant spokeswoman Ginny Morris said the new year will also bring some changes for the Miss Farmington organization. A board of directors is in place, and the program is now self-supported, as a nonprofit organization.

"In 2012, it is our goal that every girl that enters receives something for her participation," Morris said. Giving something back to the city is also in the coming year's plans, she said.

When she returns from camp, Newcomer will be making local appearances and promoting her platform, which supports two organizations: the Joy-Southfield Development Corporation, which supports a Detroit neighborhood, and , a Farmington Hills-based organization that provides sleep education and sleep kits to children.

Barbara Yuhas of the attended the meeting on behalf of Kimberly Riley Fouts of the Riley Foundation, which awarded $3,500 in scholarships to this year's Miss Farmington pageant winners in memory of Delores Riley. She delivered a $2,000 scholarship check for Newcomer to parents Les and Janet Newcomer, a $1,000 check for first runner-up Hannah Cheriyan to Morris and a $500 check to second runner-up Rachel Rosinski, who attended the meeting.