Owensboro Community & Technical College (OCTC) student Katie Bouchard qualified for the Miss Kentucky Pageant by winning the Jefferson County/Belle of Louisville Scholarship Pageant on October 10 in Louisville.
Contestant’s submitted an extensive application based on achievements in the areas of scholastic honors, leadership roles, community service and accomplishments. During the preliminary competition, contestants competed in a Michael Jackson Tribute Opening Number, Interview 25%, Lifestyle and Fitness 15%, Talent 35%, Evening Ware 20%, and On Stage Question 5%.
Katie is jointly admitted to OCTC and Western Kentucky University. She is a candidate for spring graduation working toward an Associate Degree in Applied Science with an emphasis in Human Services. She plans to pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work at WKU, her career goal is to become a Family Resource Center Coordinator and work with underserved, at risk students and increase their persistence.
Katie’s Miss Kentucky service platform of “Spreading the Gift of Sight around the World” began in 2013 when she won the Miss Daviess County Pageant. She started an Eye Foundation project with the goal of increasing awareness for the Daviess County Lions Club. Her goal was to double the annual eyeglass donations from 1,000 to 2,000 pairs. Katie collaborated with local school children, area businesses, and the Daviess County Pageant Contestants to recycle used eyeglasses. The eyeglasses are refurbished by the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation and distributed to people around the world with limited access to vision care. Katie’s project has amounted to over 7,000 pair of eyeglasses; due to the success of her project, Katie received the International President’s Certificate of Appreciation in Recognition for Distinguished Achievement, the Kentucky Lions Eye Foundation Outstanding Community Service Award, and the Daviess County Lions Club Community Service Award. Any school or business that would like to become involved by donating used eyeglasses, or request an eyeglass collection container can contact Katie at [email protected].
As part of the Miss American Organization’s National Platform, Children’s Miracle Network (CMN), the Miss Kentucky Contestants are challenged to raise donations for the organization by raising funds for children’s hospitals. Anyone wishing to learn more about the national platform or make a donation to CMN can go to the missamericaforkids.org and search contestants, for Katie Bouchard.
Katie said her dream of becoming Miss Kentucky began in elementary school. She would go dressed as Miss Kentucky on Career Day and tell all the other children that Miss Kentucky was a career of service. Katie has competed in pageants for several years; however, she did not seriously consider competing in a Miss Kentucky preliminary until last year.
“My biggest challenge was not fitness or interview but deciding on a talent. Last year, I asked Barry Lanham if he would coach me in the Kentucky State Dance of Clogging. Mr. Lanham said he could help prepare me for the talent competition in Miss Kentucky and everything fell into place. I am honored to be a part of the Miss America Organization, the world’s largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women and I am excited about the opportunity to expand the Eye Foundation project through this platform. I am looking forward to beginning my adventure as Miss Belle of Louisville and the chance to compete in the 2016 Miss Kentucky Pageant.”
*Photo credit: Captured Moments Photography
