Miss Idaho doesn't leave Miss America pageant empty-handed

By Statesman staff

"Though she did not take home the title, Miss Idaho Whitney Wood did well at the 2013 Miss America Pageant Saturday night, winning a $1,000 talent award for her strong performance during the preliminary competition on Wednesday, and the $1,000 Louanne Gamba Instrumentalist Award. Wood, a classical pianist, performed an excerpt from American composer Edward MacDowell's "Etude de Concert" that drew cheers from the audience.

Wood, who is from Idaho Falls, also won the $2,000 Four Points Award scholarship for her platform Handbags for Hope, Giving Women Confidence They Can Carry, a program that seeks to boost the self-esteem of homeless women. With the $3,000 participation scholarship all 53 women take home, Wood won a total of $7,000 in scholarships."

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Results From Vegas

Have you been wondering how Whitney did in Vegas? Well. To put things simply... she did FANTASTIC! She was a finalist for the Quality of Life award, winner of the $2000 Four Points Scholarship (that makes two Miss Idaho's in a row!), and a double talent winner. $1000 Non Finalist Talent winner and Winner of the Luanne Gamba (Lulu) Instrumental Award. A $1000 scholarship given to an instrumentalist who earns the highest score in the overall talent competition.

Santa Joe Ho Ho Express

Miss Three Rivers, Bailey Wilson volunteered at the Santa Joe Ho Ho Express. Each kid was given $50 to spend on Christmas for themselves. "They were given $50 and free reign of Walmart... with someone to help they stay in budget." And that is where Bailey comes in. She spent the afternoon with the three girls (pictured to the left) helping them pick out what they wanted to buy with their money, making sure they stayed in budget, and sharing this very special Christmas moment with them. They spent the morning shopping and then enjoyed subway for lunch. Once they got back in Weiser they had the option of wrapping the presents they had purchased before heading home to celebrate the holidays with their parents.  Bailey said, "It was a great experience and I loved being able to help. I think my favorite part of the trip was finding the talking puppy that one of my little girls had been wanting for months. Being able to see her face after we found it was priceless and she didn't let go of it the rest of the time!"

Just a peek into Whitney's Adventures!

 At the Twin Falls County Fair!

 Handbags of Hope drive for Dress for Success

 With Mr. Sam Haskell during Miss America's Outstanding Teen week in Orlando!

 The new titleholders in the Magic Valley!

After Party for Miss America's Outstanding Teen!

 Mountain Home Air Force Appreciation Days

 Shelley Spud Days!

Miracle Treat Day with Dairy Queen! 

The New Miss Idaho Falls!

Alive After 5

All of the Miss Western Idaho titleholders were invited to attend Alive After 5 just shortly after their crowning. Alive After 5 is an event that happens in Weiser on a regular bases. It is a free event for the local community. There are all sorts of things from crafts and games to food made available to parents and their kids. At this particular event there were a lot of water games for kids, a big inflatable water slide, and face painting. Frisbee  water bottles, hot dogs, and snow cones were on hand to give out to those in attendance. The Miss Western Idaho titleholders helped hand out the trinkets to participants and spent their day at the dunk tank. And when I say dunk tank, I mean they got to be dunked. Bailey Wilson, Miss Three Rivers, said, " It was a great experience and so much fun to see how excited the kids were to dunk the "princesses." We got to wear fake, little crowns and laugh with all of the parents and kids trying to dunk us."