Second Kuhn to win crown at Miss Grays Harbor

Contestant number five, 20-year old Paige Kuhn, daughter of Tim and Dawn Kuhn of Central Park, was crowned 2015 Miss Grays Harbor at the 7th St. Theatre in Hoquiam on Saturday night.

Kuhn is the younger sister of Lauren Kuhn, who carries the titles of 2013 Miss Grays Harbor and 2014 Miss America Fourth Runner up as Miss Massachusetts. The elder sister was unable to be in the audience Saturday because, as a Harvard dental student, she was applying to a national position of the American Student Dental Association. The conference was the same weekend in Boston, her parents said.

With flowers in hand, Miss Kuhn, was very excited about her winnings. “I don’t know what… I’m so excited!” she said breathless. “I got so much scholarship money, now I can pay for school!” said the Eastern Washington University student who is studying elementary education.

Kuhn was the winner of the “Living Your Platform,” “Lifestyles and Fitness,” “Empowered Young Women,” “Top Interview” and “Together We Can (commitment to community)” scholarships and shared the “Top Evening Gown,” scholarship. In total, Kuhn won half of the $10,000 that was awarded Saturday evening. Kuhn’s platform is “Providing School Supplies to Those in Need.”

First runner up, Cora Foss, won the “Talent” competition scholarship, singing “Somewhere over the Rainbow” and also shared the “Top Evening Gown” with Kuhn. Foss also won the “Dash for Cash,” owing much thanks to her brother Elliot for running up and down the isles of the theater collecting money.

Second runner-up was Arianna Barré, who won the “Scholastic Achievement” and “Four Points of the Crown” scholarships.

“Staff Award” was given to Stephanie Hornback. Two “Personal Growth” scholarships were given away to Jess Marie Matthews and Alexi Pratte.

The “Miss Congeniality,” scholarship winner was chosen by the contestants as Kuinn Karaffa.

The evening was an extravaganza of singing and dancing. Besides the talent competition, numbers included “Dancing Queen,” and songs sung by 2014 Miss Grays Harbor Connie Morgan, “The Itsy Bitsy Spider,” “I’ve got one less problem without you” and “Where is my Home?” as well as the antics of emcees, Liz and Pat Anderson, who kept the crowd laughing all night.

Special appearances were made by many past Miss Grays Harbor winners including 1995 winner, Krystle Ochsner Ramos from Nashville who sang, “This Girl is on Fire,” the Raindrop Princesses and Miss Auburn, Miss Washington, Miss West Sound, Miss Seattle, Miss Outstanding Teen contestant, Magin Chesley and the 2015 Miss Grays Harbor Outstanding Teen winner, Nora Coffelt. The Spirit of Miss Grays Harbor award was presented to Dawn and Tim Kuhn, who were representing the winner, their daughter, Lauren Kuhn.

Miss Grays Harbor director, Sue Drolz, said, “I had an amazing year last year and I plan to have another amazing year this year. I have two great title winners.”