Werden, Seifert capture Auburn crowns at scholarship program | SLIDESHOW

Basking in the glow of a crowning achievement, Cami Werden and Jaclyn Seifert embraced under the bright lights of center stage.

Poised and prepared, they delivered when it counted Saturday night, singing beautifully and boldly answering questions from the show’s hosts.

And now they proudly represent Auburn as young royalty.

Werden, 17, an Auburn Riverside High School senior, captured the Miss Auburn title, moments after Seifert, 16, a sophomore at Kennedy Catholic High School, took Miss Auburn’s Outstanding Teen crown at the Performing Arts Center.

Werden earned $7,335 in scholarships and gifts from the program, one of the largest of its kind in the country. Seifert, of Burien, received $3,730.

“It means so much to me, just having it on my head,” Werden said of the crown. “I’ve been involved with this program at such a young age. … It’s just crazy. It’s a whirlwind. It’s an honor.”

Seifert replied: “It’s an honor. … From this (scholarship program) you learn so much more about yourself, who you want to be and what you aspire to be.”

Werden and Seifert automatically qualify for the Miss Washington Pageant later this year. The Miss Auburn program, sponsored by the Auburn Noon Lions Club, is an official preliminary to the Miss Washington and Miss America scholarship pageants.

Arden McCarthy was first-runner-up, Angela Suresh took second runner-up and Whitney Van Vlett finished as third runner-up from a field of nine Miss Auburn contestants.

Werden sang a moving rendition of “There’s Always Me” from the American jukebox musical, “All Shook Up”. She also shined when she carefully answered a “wild-card” question picked from a bowl and posed by 2015 Miss Auburn Morgan Warren during the on-stage interview segment.

Who will you vote for this presidential election, Werden was asked.

“I turn 18 in June,” she said. “I am going with Dr. Ben Carson.”

Werden ran on the platform of breast cancer awareness, a crusade made personal from the fact that her two grandmothers have faced the disease. The prognosis is good for both of them, she said.

Werden, who graduates with honors this spring, plans to pursue a communications degree with the thought of someday becoming a tour director for a museum or national park. Werden, daughter of Tina and Max Werden, was sponsored by Don Small & Sons.

“I thought my chances were good … any one of us could have won the crown,” Werden said. “My confidence and my faith (pulled me through). I have strong faith and morals, and I stick to what I believe.”

In the teen competition, which attracted 10 contestants, Alexis Florence was first runner-up, followed by McKenna Webb (second runner-up) and Skylar Erickson (third runner-up).

But Seifert stood out.

A classically trained soprano, Seifert sang a resounding rendition of a Puccini opera selection during the talent segment Friday night. She has been singing and playing the piano since she was young.

She competed on the platform of combating teen depression.

Seifert, daughter of Barbie and Mike Seifert, plans to study psychology and business in college. Auburn Chevrolet was her sponsor.

Miss Auburn contestants were scored and judged the following way: private interview 25 percent; lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit 15 percent; talent 35 percent; on-stage interview 5 percent; and evening wear 20 percent.

McCarthy and Jayni Bohannon earned the People’s Choice Awards in a two-night vote from the audience. Proceeds from $1 ballots went to the Auburn Food Bank. All told, the award generated $3,395 for the food bank.