After a 15 -minute delay during the complicated task of tallying votes from a variety of categories like talent, speaking, and community achievements, six judges crowned Georgia Mitchell as the new Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu Senior Court Queen 2009-2010.

Well, actually, the current Hi-Yu queen, Margo Femiano, placed the crown upon the head of the ecstatic Sealth High School graduate and Arbor Heights resident. Her reign begins in October for one year.

The Senior Court Princesses coronated were Kelly Nealson and Veronica Pupava. The two other candidates in the finals were Kelsey Bills and Julia Hodges.

The two-hour 2009 Miss West Seattle Hi-Yu Scholarship Program Coronation, plus intermission unfolded at 7 p.m., Monday night, July 20 in the West Seattle High School auditorium. Many seats were filled with proud parents, grandparents, siblings, and students who seemed at times to belong to a fan club of each of the six candidates judging from the waves of loud applause.

Following the event, Mitchell, Nealson and Pupava and their entourage landed at the McDonalds across the street for ice cream and a lot of giggling and photos. Finally, the last McDonalds employee politely reminded the merry-makers that it was closing time and they headed for the exit.

KOMO-TV's Eliza Jaffe MC'ed, with the help of Hi-Yu president Tim Winston and other Hi-Yu organizers.

The current Junior Court also assisted, both by handing rose bouquets to the new Senior Court and by charming the audience with their glitzy gowns and dimpled smiles on stage. Junior Court Queen Zoe Mahn presented Mitchell her bouquet.

Mitchell visited China as an exchange student with a small group including Femiano. She also volunteered in Tanzania.

"It feels great," emoted Mitchell after the pageant concluded. "I was really shocked. I'm looking forward to next year. It should be a great adventure."

"She is absolutely one of the most fabulous kids on the planet. All our children are," said her father, Mark Hewitt.

Hewitt is somewhat of a celebrity himself as his father, Bill, founded and operated Tillicum Village for over 40 years until his passing in 2002, and Bob and his wife, Carrie continued until recently.

"I'm so proud of my daughter," added Carrie, who brought her father and step-mother. "She did it by herself. She is absolutely beautiful inside and out."

Carrie pointed out that her father is Japanese, and her daughter, who wants to learn the Japanese language, came to South Pacific dancing in part by her heritage, and interest in Pacific cultures.

Carrie's business card states she is a "Wife/Mom/Maid/Cook/Taxi driver/etc..."

The outgoing Junior Court, pun intended, performed a sassy dance rendition of "I Love Candy" evocative of an early 1960's musical or film.

The incoming Junior Court were coronated July 18 and include Queen Kailin Jo Alexander Spencer, and Princesses Isabella Carufel and Princess Kaitlin Morgan.

Hi-Yu sponsors were recognized. They included Southwest Plumbing, West Seattle Herald, Tuxedoes & Tennis Shoes Catering, Merrill Gardwns Admiral Heights and West Seattle, Providence Mount St. Vincent, Stor-Mor Self-Storage, Westside Gymnastics Academy, and many more.

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