Western Oregon Journal

Issue date: 4/22/09 Section: News

Style, service, scholarship and success.
For Western freshman Amy Lemke, 19, these four words represent the "new adventure" she is beginning as Miss Marion Polk 2009.
Melissa High, one of the Board of Directors for Miss Marion Polk, said the judges picked Lemke for the 2009 crown because she was "that person that can speak and be the whole package to represent the program itself."
Although she competed in pageants during her high school years, Lemke said she saw the Miss Marion Polk competition as a window to shed light on her new platform: education about Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
"Having a title is a lot like having a microphone," Lemke said. "I feel passionate about getting the word out about MS."
Lemke's interest in MS results from a close family friend who has been diagnosed with the disease.
As part of her Miss Marion Polk title, Lemke is working with the Oregon chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, based out of Tacoma, Wash. Throughout the year, she will go to middle schools, high schools and elementary schools to make appearances and speak out about MS.
Lemke said she wants to raise awareness about the disease at a younger age, so the students will know what the disease is and what signs to look for.
"Helping people realize that maybe it's closer to home than they think it is" is also one of her goals, Lemke said.
This Saturday, April 25, Lemke will participate in the MS Walk in Salem.
Miss Marion Polk is a "full year, full time, middle-of-the-night e-mail job," Lemke said.
Nonetheless, she still manages her time as an early education and dance student.
"I've been teaching since I was 10-dance and summer school with my mom," she said. "I like everything that teaching and education involves."
Lemke said she always wanted to come to Western but is glad to be almost finished with her freshman year. "I'm still kind of dipping my toes into everything," she said.
However, Lemke has long been involved with moving her feet to various rhythms. Lemke has been dancing since she was three-all over the Northwest-performing "almost every kind of dance."
This year, Lemke started working with Monmouth Dance and Music Studio and helped put on a community service production of "The Nutcracker" in December.
Guests could either buy tickets, or donate two cans of food per ticket. Food was donated to local families who are currently in need, and the money from ticket sales also purchased more food for the families.
The Miss Marion Polk Competition took place at the Historic Elsinore Theater in downtown Salem on April 4. The competition consisted of four sections: swimsuit portion, talent portion, evening wear and onstage question portion.
Lemke received a $1,000-scholarship and the chance to compete for the Miss Oregon title in July. The winner of that competition will go on to compete for Miss America.
High said the program had 12 applicants this year. "We try to accept as many candidates as possible [for the preliminary stage]," she said.
Interested applicants, should visit the MySpace page or send an e-mail
to blaine.b.weisensee@wellsfargo.com.

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