2 Tri-City women set to compete in Miss Washington and teen competition

What began as one woman’s effort to help others feel more confident has become the platform Julia Henry will carry to the Miss Washington competition next weekend.

As the current Miss Tri-Cities, Henry, 23, has spent the last year building her own nonprofit organization “Our Closet,” featuring stylish clothes for teens and younger individuals in need around the community. She’s hosted pop-up events and supported other community organizations like Columbia Basin College Veterans Services.

Henry said expanding her nonprofit is one of three current goals for the next five years. Helping teens in her community to feel confident in what they wear has been an important initiative for her, as social media has caused many to lose confidence and compare themselves, according to Henry.

“When we constantly compare ourselves, we lose confidence in our own path. Our generation must learn to value individual growth and define success on our own terms,” Henry said.

Originally from Spokane, Henry has spent her entire life in Washington with family roots across the state. She grew up playing soccer and eventually went to Brigham Young University, earning a Bachelor of Arts in communication. Henry plans to return to BYU for her master’s degree.

Before she arrived at BYU, Henry served an 18-month-long mission in Brazil as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She navigated life and culture while mastering the Portuguese language.

“While living abroad in Brazil, I connected with a local Brazilian through our shared love of this song,” Henry said. “Before I could speak Portuguese, music became our common language as we sang ‘Hallelujah’ together while playing guitar.”

Henry will perform ‘Hallelujah’ as her talent at the state competition.

Heading into next weekend, Henry hopes to be crowned Miss Washington and continue her efforts in a community she has grown to love. She will be competing against 24 other women. The competition runs July 9 through July 11.

Henry is not the only one competing for a crown.

Marci Mendoza, Miss Tri-Cities’ Teen, is leaving for the Miss Washington Teen’s competition this week, which runs June 29 through July 1.

Mendoza, 17, is entering her senior year at Richland High School and prides herself on her artwork. Her passion has helped her earn several awards and impressive accomplishments including Central Washington University’s 2026 Art for Change Award and the Juror’s Choice Award at the Washington State Superintendent’s High School Art Show.

Art helped her learn in ways that standard classroom teaching could not.

“Growing up with a learning disability, I struggled with reading and writing and often felt different from my peers,” Mendoza said. “When I found art, everything changed.”

She has given back to the art community across the Tri-Cities, holding fundraisers that align with her initiatives. Mendoza organized and raised $620 through ticket sales for her fundraiser event, Paint & Connect, for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties. She earned an additional $1,375 in art sales, $400 of which she reinvested back into Paint A Path, her own initiative that says creativity can connect people in ways words cannot.

Mendoza’s artwork is currently on display at The Art Gallery in Richland. She aspires to open her own art gallery in the future, though she plans to earn a degree in education from a four-year university after graduation.

In her state competition, she will perform “God Bless the USA” in American Sign Language.

Mendoza has put a heavy focus on mental health among teens in her community.

“These mental health struggles can affect relationships, confidence, academic performance and overall well-being every day,” Mendoza said.

She said these challenges hold the most weight over her generation, and she will continue to prioritize mental health in her campaigns.

Mendoza will compete against 26 other teens in her competition.

Both Tri-City contestants practiced interviews, talents and stage presence in preparation for the competition ahead. They also looked for wardrobes for each event of the pageant: interview, talent, fitness in activewear, evening wear and on-stage conversation.

Henry and Mendoza have spent the last year attending local events and practicing all the required skills in preparation for their upcoming competitions.

The events will take place at Capital High School Performing Arts Center in Olympia and are available to the public. Ticket prices vary based on seat location.