Richland High grad crowned Miss Tri-Cities, with aim to promote mental health wellness

From a young age, Abby Faulk dreamed of being Miss Tri-Cities.

At 16 she was crowned Miss Tri-Cities Teen in her first pageant.

But it wasn’t until this week that her goal was realized and she earned the title of Miss Tri-Cities 2024.

“I feel incredible. I have been dreaming of this role for seven years,” she told the Herald.

Her interest in the program began with the talent aspect of the Miss Tri-Cities competition after hearing about the program at her local dance class.

She grew up dancing and singing and wanted to continue performing on stage.

The 23-year-old now will be preparing to compete for Miss Washington next year and will be singing the national anthem at Tri-City Water Follies events this weekend. Water Follies is a major sponsor of the Miss Tri-Cities Scholarship Program

“I found out it was so much more than talent and beauty… It is full of women who empower one another to get out in their community and be leaders and that’s what I want to be as Miss Tri-Cities,” she said.

Through the program, Faulk already had earned almost $27,000 in scholarships and as Miss Tri-Cities 2024, she won a $10,000 scholarship and $2,400 in cash.

She plans to use the money to pay off her school debts.

“I’ve earned almost $27,000 in scholarships, and I’m almost completely debt free because of that,” Faulk told the Herald.

She graduated from Richland High School in 2018 and recently graduated from Central Washington University with her bachelors degrees in dance and apparel/ merchandising.

As Miss Tri-Cities, her community service initiative will focus on improving mental health among youth.

She said the arts have helped her improve her mental health, and she encourages others to find their passion.

She said she will be talking in elementary schools, middle schools and high schools during her term.

Mental health wellness is a journey that takes a lot of work and getting involved, she said. In elementary classrooms, she will discuss emotions and kindness. In middle schools, she plans to talk about suicide prevention and how finding your passion in life can lead to wellness.

Since 2016, she has partnered with Youth Suicide Prevention Coalition, the Recovery and Wellness Center of Eastern Washington, the National Alliance of Mental Illness Yakima, and is currently volunteering with the National Alliance of Mental Illness Tri-Cities.

She described her experience as extremely positive because the program prepares them months in advance before the competition so they feel prepared before the competition.

Faulk said the Miss Tri-Cities program lets women know they can develop skills that they can take with them.

Others honored

Kylie Glendenning is the first runner-up to Miss Tri-Cities 2024 and was awarded $5,000 and Lindsey Rojas, second runner-up, received $2,500.

Also, 16-year-old Giorgia Henry was awarded Miss Tri-Cities Teen 2024 winning a $2,000 cash award compliments of community sponsors and $1,000 wardrobe allowance for preparation for the state competition.

The runner-up to Miss Tri-Cities Teen is Mai Ly Nguyen, receiving $1,000 cash award from community sponsors, $30 coronation bouquets from Shelby’s Floral and a trophy.

Henry performed “Pirates of the Caribbean” on the piano for her talent. Her community service initiative is on children’s literacy and she aims to be an elementary school teacher.

Faulk sang “The Wizard and I” from the musical Wicked as her talent.

This story was originally published July 28, 2023 at 5:00 AM.