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 Linda Thomas
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Linda is the morning news anchor and features reporter for KIRO Radio. This is her local news blog, with an emphasis on social media, technology, Northwest companies, education, parenting, and anything else that grabs her attention.

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Miss Oregon forced to give up her crown

July 19, 2012 @ 5:39 pm

OregonControversy and beauty pageants go together like bouffant hair and a glitzy crown.

Rachel Berry has stepped down from her position as Miss Oregon after questions were raised regarding the residency requirements for the competition.

Questions, I've learned, are often raised by those who don't win beauty contests.

“After a subsequent review of the residency requirement, Miss Berry was not able to prove she satisfied the residency requirement six months prior to competing in the Miss Willamette Valley pageant in April 2012," according to a statement released by Dana Phillips, the director of Miss Oregon's pageant.

Berry will not be competing in the Miss America pageant in Las Vegas in January of 2013.

Instead, the runner-up will likely get that opportunity, although no decision has been made. The first runner-up was Nicole Mead of Three Rivers.

In a statement, Berry said, "To compete for Miss America is a dream I have worked toward since I was young, but I accept this decision to do the right thing and relinquish this title. In the spirit of what Miss America stands for, I would not want to deprive another contestant of the opportunity to represent the beautiful State of Oregon at the Miss America Pageant."

Related stories:

Bellevue beauty wins Miss Washington crown

Washington's first plus-sized beauty queen

Miss Seattle gives social media advice

No Cinderella story for Miss Washington

Toddlers and Tiaras, Northwest style

I know what you're thinking. "Whoa, why so many stories about beauty pageants News Chick?"

My defense is a weak one. I grew up watching Miss America pageants on TV with my mom. I still like them today because they remind me of her, a true beauty.

AP Photo/Don Anderson

More from Linda Thomas

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Comments (12)


  • Add A Comment

  • caravanb wrote...
    so
    July 19, 2012 5:40 pm
    Beauty pageants get residency requirements right but homeland security cant?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    If only Obama
    July 19, 2012 7:21 pm
    would follow this example of a true American.

    What an excellent role model.......

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • eddiewhite wrote...
    They should of...
    July 20, 2012 5:43 am
    taken the crown because they finally realized that she's too hidious to win Miss America
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • messiah101 wrote...
    Newschick
    July 20, 2012 5:57 am
    Can't resist Beauty Queen stories.I can see why ,I mean they are such interesting people
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • eddiewhite wrote...
    But then again...
    July 20, 2012 6:04 am
    look at the two ugs putting the crown on the winning ug. Oregon must make a habit of being blind as well as wacko liberal
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • mnpat wrote...
    “After a subsequent review of the residency requirement, Miss Berry was not able to prove she satisfied the residency requirement six months prior to competing in the Miss Willamette Valley pageant in April 2012,"
    July 20, 2012 6:40 am
    Unfortunate for the you lady.....as all ready stated by another poster, it appears we have more stringent following of rules then our own government has for voting or collecting benifits.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • murr wrote...
    soo purletiv wrote...
    July 20, 2012 6:45 am
    YES the first thing I thought. The difference between public and private sector. Remember what happened to the medical staff that might have shared customer information. All fired, right now. If she was paid with tax dollars, she would have got promoted, and or retirement, windfall cash settelment, But first sent home with pay, while a six month investagation. Same story throught out gov. agencies.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Zoeller wrote...
    I thought this picture was supposed to be of a beauty pageant.
    July 20, 2012 7:16 am
    So where is the beauty?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Snout wrote...
    Not to beat a dead horse
    July 20, 2012 9:25 am
    but good grief! She looks like Tammy Faye Baker right after she and Jim got caught in this picture.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ohyea53 wrote...
    LOL now that is funny!!!!!!!!
    July 20, 2012 2:39 pm
    Miss Oregon can’t be the representative of the state because she hasn’t lived here long enough, but The 3rd Senator from New York Ron Wyden can be the pretend Senator of Oregon by spending only 2-3 weeks a year in his tiny apartment in Salem…… Jeeeze go figure.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    Brilliant
    July 20, 2012 2:53 pm
    You don't have to be a resident to vote either....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • pgreenswim wrote...
    Lack of rack...
    July 20, 2012 7:39 pm
    You're dismissed...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }