Miss West Sound’s Outstanding Teen Representatives

2013 – Emily (Houston) Thomas

  • Miss West Sound’s Outstanding Teen 2013
  • Miss Northwest’s Outstanding Teen 2014 & 2015
    • Winner of the People’s Choice Award all three years at Miss Washington’s OT
  • Miss Chinook 2019

Hometown: Port Orchard

Talent: Vocal

Platform: Relay for Life

After graduating from South Kitsap High School in 2016, Emily went on to attend Olympic College, pursuing a degree in communications.

She currently works full time in the Mental Health field and pursues her passion of coordinating weddings and events in the Seattle area.

Emily lives in Kitsap County with her husband Aaron and their two dogs.

Emily has earned over $5000 through her participation in MAO.

2014 – Kelsey Kim

  • Miss West Sound’s Outstanding Teen 2014

Hometown: Bremerton

Talent: Violin

Platform: Fostering Forever Homes – Benefiting Foster Kids

Kelsey is a 2015 high school and Olympic College Running Start graduate. She graduated from the University of Tampa in 2019 with a BS in Forensic Chemistry and dual minors in Biology and Criminal Investigations. She now resides in North Carolina working as an analytical chemist.

Kelsey earned $2,000 through her participation in MAO.

2015 – Mataya Giffey

  • Miss West Sound’s Outstanding Teen 2015
    • Awarded full-ride scholarship to Washington’s Business Week

Hometown: Poulsbo

Talent: Color Guard

Platform: Stand for the Silent – Bullying Awareness

Mataya graduated from North Kitsap High School in 2016.

Mataya earned over $4000 during her participation in MAO.

 

2016 – Maddie (Farrell) Almaden

  • Miss West Sound’s Outstanding Teen 2016
    • Top 10 at Miss Washington’s Outstanding Teen
    • Business Week Scholarship
  • Miss West Sound 2019
    • Miss America Community Service Award
    • Miss Washington’s Miss Congeniality

Hometown: Silverdale

Talent: Comedic Monologue

Platform as MWSOT 2016: Building Girls’ Confidence Through Teen Mentoring

Platform as MWS 2019: Building Youth Confidence Through Mentoring

Maddie graduated from Klahowya Secondary School in 2017 and Central Washington University in 2021 with a degree in Elementary Education. Maddie is a teacher in the Central Kitsap School District and is obtaining her Master’s Degree in Education through Western Governors University. During her year as Miss West Sound, she founded the Bremerton Teen Mentoring Program, where high school students have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one mentoring with elementary and middle school students.

Maddie earned $7,000 during her participation in the MAO.

 

2017 – Allie Newhouse

  • Miss West Sound’s Outstanding Teen 2017
  • Miss Port Orchard’s Outstanding Teen 2018
    • Top 10 at Miss Washington’s Outstanding Teen 2018
  • 1st RU to Miss West Sound 2023
  • Miss Puget Sound (Sweeper) 2023
  • Miss West Sound 2025

    After graduating from South Kitsap High School, Alli attended the University of Idaho majoring in Athletic Medicine with a Minor in Anatomy and Physiology. She was a member of the Vandal’s Dance Team. She has since transferred to Liberty University and switched her major to Elementary Education with a minor in Special Education.

    Allie has earned over $5,600 through her participation in MAO.

     

    2018 – Emalee Nazarino

    • Miss West Sound’s Outstanding Teen 2018
      • 4th Runner-Up at Miss Washington’s Outstanding Teen 2018
    • Miss Seattle’s Outstanding Teen 2019
      • Four Points of the Crown Award at Miss Washington’s Outstanding Teen 2019

    Hometown: Poulsbo

    Talent: Flute

    Platform: You Define Your Disability, Your Disability Does Not Define You

    Emalee is a 2020 North Kitsap High School graduate where she was a cheerleader and running start student.

    She graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California 2024 with a Bachelors in Sociology with a cultural emphasis.  In addition, she will earn minors in both Business and Spanish.  She currently serves with the Peace Corps overseas, teaching English to school children. Her career ambition is evolving as she explores the world and the opportunities it presents.

    Emalee has earned $3000 during her participation in the MAO.

     

    2019 – Emilie Scott

    • Miss West Sound’s Outstanding Teen 2019
    • Miss Washington’s Outstanding Teen 2019
      • Assumed the title after Payton May won Miss America’s Outstanding Teen 2019
      • 2nd Runner-Up at Miss Washington’s Outstanding Teen 2019
      • Dolores Cullen Helping Hands Award

    Hometown: Silverdale

    Talent: Ballet en Pointe

    Platform: Global Poverty Awareness

    Emilie graduated from Klahowya Secondary School where she was ASB President, President of the LEO Club, Vice President of Honor Society and a cheerleader.

    Emilie graduated from Carleton College in Minnesota, with a BS in Biology and a double minor in Spanish and Dance. She was a member of Semaphore Repertory Dance Company, and a board member of Carleton’s Pre-Health Association. She worked as a CNA and an ER Technician while teaching CPR courses at Carleton through the American Heart Association. She was also a member of the Wolff Research lab at Carleton, doing genetic research with C. Elegans. Emilie is taking a gap year, teaching English in Spain before she begins Medical School. Her career goal is to become a Pediatric Surgeon.

    Emilie earned almost $2,500 through her participation in the MAO.

     

    2019 – Cheyenne Amar

    • Miss West Sound’s Outstanding Teen 2019
      • Assumed the title after Emilie Scott took over the title of Miss Washington’s Outstanding Teen

    Hometown: Silverdale

    Talent: Jazz Dance

    Platform: Be True, Do You – Building Girls’ Self-Esteem

    Cheyenne graduated first in her class from Klahowya Secondary School in the Class of 2021 and is now a student at UCLA where she is majoring in Physiological Science on the pre-med track with plans to become an orthopedic surgeon.

    On campus, Cheyenne is a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta & Phi Eta Sigma honor societies, a board member of the Hui O ʻImiloa Hawaiʻi club, a member of the Sports Medicine Club, a member of the Bruin Surgical Undergraduate Society, and dances on the competitive hip hop team NSU Modern.

    Cheyenne has earned almost $3,000 through her participation in the MAO.

     

    2020-2021 – Ripley Ramos

    • Miss West Sound’s Outstanding Teen 2020
      • Top 10 at Miss Washington’s Outstanding Teen 2021

    Hometown: Shelton

    Talent: Vocal

    Social Impact Initiative:  Fashion Is For Every Body

    Ripley graduated with High Honors from Shelton High School in June 2022 and was the Outreach Coordinator at Habitat for Humanity of Mason County.  She recently earned the honor of representing our state as Miss Washington Teen Volunteer and will compete at the national level in March 2023. She plans on pursuing a career in performing arts and musical theatre.

    Ripley earned over $ 2,000 during her two years participating in the MAO.

     

    2022 – Reyna Blackwood

    • Miss West Sound’s Outstanding Teen 2022
      • Miss Washington’s Outstanding Teen Service Award 2022
      • Western Washington University Scholarship 2022
    • Miss Puget Sound’s Outstanding Teen 2023
    • Miss Evergreen’s Teen 2025

    Hometown: Silverdale

    Talent: Piano

    Social Impact Initiative:  J.T.’s High Fives

    Reyna is a student at North Kitsap High School and plays volleyball and softball. She also loves to spend her free time playing music, specifically the piano and guitar. Through her Social Impact Initiative, which is focused around helping kids with disabilities, Reyna hosts Challenger Camps. These camps offer kids with special needs, the opportunity to learn and play softball and baseball.

    Reyna has earned almost $ 4,700 during her participation in the MAO.

     

    2023 – Cecelia Sanchez

    • Miss West Sound’s Teen 2023
      • Top 10 at Miss Washington’s Teen 2023
    • Miss Pierce County’s Teen 2024

    Hometown: Poulsbo

    Talent: Color guard for West Sound singing for Pierce County

    Social Impact Initiative: Bloom Wherever You’re Planted – Aiding Military Kids in Adapting to New Communities

    Cece graduated from North Kitsap High School in 2024 where she was a member of the Varsity cheer squad. She attended San Diego State University in the fall of 2024 and was accepted into the Disney College Program and has been in Florida since.

    Cece has earned over $4000 through her participation in the MAO so far.

     

    2024 – Paiton Leibold Strong

    • Miss West Sound’s Teen 2024
      • Top 10 at Miss Washington’s Teen 2024
      • Miss Congeniality
    • Miss Seattle’s Teen 2025

    Hometown: Kingston

    Talent: American Sign Language

    Social Impact Initiative: “You’re Not Alone: Improving Mental Health in Teens”

    Paiton is currently a Junior at Kingston High School and plays competitive soccer. She loves being involved in her community and is a member of her school’s ASB, National Honor Society, and Interact and Key Club. Through her Community Service Initiative, Paiton works with the National Alliance of Mental Illness to advocate for those struggling with mental health issues. She has plans to pursue a degree in Law.

    Paiton has earned over $5000 through her participation in the MAO.

     

    2024 – Kaiya Collins

    • Miss Evergreen’s Teen 2024
      • Top 10 at Miss Washington’s Teen
      • Preliminary Fitness Award
    • Miss Tahoma’s Teen 2025

    Hometown: Poulsbo

    Talent: Dance

    Social Impact Initiative: “Feel Good, Play Good; Empowering Minds in Youth Sports”

    Kaiya, a student at North Kitsap High School, is trained in over eight styles of dance and has earned scholarships through her talent. Her most notable being New York Pre-professional Joffrey and Idyllwild Arts Academy. She aims to achieve a degree in Political Science. As a mental health advocate, especially in athletes, she is an ambassador for the U.S. Center of Mental Health and Sport. She has supported local mental health organizations, educated elementary school students on coping skills, and works to break down the stigma surrounding mental health in athletes.

    Kaiya has earned over $2500 through her participation in MAO.