Bekka Simmons waves to someone in the audience after being named Miss Burien 2007. Melody Gilbert, Miss Burien 2006, laughs in the background. Photo by Amber Trillo
Bekka Simmons, a 19-year-old Highline Community College student, was crowned Miss Burien 2007 on Nov. 18.
The new Miss Burien is a singer-the fourth in a row.
Bekka performed "Lose Control," a pops vocal by Maria Mena, impressing the judges with her stage presence, interview skills and her platform issue.
Her issue, about which she spoke fluently, is the Needs of Infants Affected by Drug and Alcohol Abuse. She volunteers at the Pediatric Interim Care Center and
Bekka won a $1,500 scholarship, and will represent Burien during the next 12 months and at the 2007 Miss Washington Pageant.
First Runner-Up was Tiffany Tran, who received a $750 scholarship.
Her martial arts routine with a fan was an audience favorite, and she also was voted Miss Congeniality by her fellow contestants for her consistent good humor, thoughtfulness and willingness to help out.
Second Runner-Up, Jenny He, won a $450 scholarship.
Jenny also won the Academic Scholarship of $200 for her 4.0 GPA and the Highline Exchange Club $1,000 Community Service Award for her work on Cancer Awareness and Prevention as a passionate supporter of Relay for Life.
In addition, Jenny will represent Burien at the SEAFAIR competition next summer, and will receive $200 in support of her efforts there.
Jenny won a total of $1,850 in scholarships and awards.
The three non-finalists, Marie Porter, Medena Mulic and Tonya Tijerina-Moreno, will each receive $200 for competing.
In addition, Marie won the People's Choice Award ($121) and Tonya won the Director's Award of $100.
Adriane Czapiewski and Daisha Bascomb withdrew from the competition.