Little Sisters carry on tea party tradition

The Miss Poulsbo/Miss Kitsap/ Miss Silverdale Scholarship Organizations brought a touch of Disney to Poulsbo with the arrival of Snow White, Cinderella and Belle at their 11th annual Little Sister Tea Party Nov. 8.

A total of 156 third-grade girls have been a part of the little sister program and Dahlquist’s Fine Jewelry has provided a golden tiara to each one of them.

Richard Koven carries on the tradition started by Sandi and Jay Dahlquist in 2000. Not only have they provided the tiaras year after year, but they also give $1,000 to the scholarship fund every year.

“I believe in this program because it helps young girls reach their full potential,” Koven said.

He likes the small-town feel of their program and their involvement in the community.

At last year’s pageant, Koven got to see how much those little gold tiaras meant to the former little sisters as nearly 60 young girls took the stage to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the little sister program.

“I was blown away to see how many of the girls still had their crowns and how special they were to them," he said. "It really warmed my heart and solidified my relationship with this great program.”

This year, three former Little Sisters are running for Miss Poulsbo. Melissa Kunold, a 17-year-old senior at North Kitsap High School was inspired to run for Miss Poulsbo when she was a little sister in 2001 and she thought it be a great experience of life lessons.

“The contestants seemed all so grown up, and I couldn’t wait to be just like them,” she said.

Ivory Bella, an 18-year-old student at Olympic College was part of the first class of little sisters, she recently moved back to Kitsap County from Virginia.

“I remembered how much fun I had as a little sister in this pageant," Bella said. "Everyone is so warm and welcoming, the people who help with this pageant are like a second family and I also wanted my own little sister.”

Erika Scott, a 19-year-old student at Olympic College has been at all the little sister tea parties over the years. She was Miss Poulsbo 2000, Ashlee Redfern’s Little Sister and she placed as second runner-up in last year’s Miss Poulsbo Pageant.

“Ever since I was a little sister, I knew I wanted to run for Miss Poulsbo," Scott said. "I have watched many contestants grown and develop through the pageant process, and that inspired me to want to do the same.”

This year’s little sisters will wear Disney princess costumes for their own stage production number. They also will march in the Viking Fest Parade together in May.

The Miss Poulsbo/Miss Kitsap/Miss Silverdale Scholarship Pageant is slated for 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9 at Bremerton High School.