I usually don’t get too excited about pageants. Beautiful, talented girls take the stage, one wins a crown, right? Call it being a guy or what you like, that’s just the way it is for me. Do I feel a sense of pride when I see Miss Poulsbo, Miss Viking Fest or Miss Kitsap at a parade? You bet. As a member of the community, I feel this should come naturally.

Pride in the accomplishments of one’s neighbors, that is.

And while in all honesty, I’ll probably never be one of those folks who cries when so and so gets named Miss So and So — unless, of course, Miss So and So happens to be a yet-to-be-conceived offspring of yours truly — I’ll always be happy there are Miss So and Sos in our midst. There’s just something about walking among royalty I suppose.

I did so the other day when I ran into Miss Viking Fest Jasmine Campbell at Dairy Queen. She took my order, flashing what will eventually be known as her trademark smile as she continues along her road to success, and was gracious and poised as ever.

I’m pretty sure she didn’t even know who I was (which is fine). But I’ll always remember her for standing up in the face of racism and answering once and for all whether or not “a black Miss Viking Fest is at all appropriate” as some out of staters openly wondered in a slew of e-mails and, later, letters to the editor.

I was just the guy who made it public.

The wave of support for Jasmine that followed rushed on for weeks. Locally. Nationally. Internationally. It was a great thing to witness and an even greater thing to have been a part of.

What I admired most throughout the experience though, was the fact that Jasmine acted like royalty during the entire ordeal. She was transformed from a girl in a tiara to a woman of conviction before our very eyes.

It was inspiring to say the least.

And years from now when I need to reach deep down and find my get up and go to fight for what’s good and right in this world, she’ll be there somewhere in psyche, pushing me forward.

We should all be so lucky.

JOE IRWIN

Editor