Can you believe we’re approaching our final week together? You’ve all been a delight to know. And, you’re ready for whatever the next week has in store for you.

First, an update on the coronavirus impact on your competition: Finding a response to the very real health concerns raised by the state of Washington and the local health district while offering you the best possible experience has been extraordinarily difficult. We will discuss this in detail at rehearsal on Sunday, but the bottom line is this: we will have a competition next Saturday, but we will limit attendance due to the health risks. Again, more information coming tomorrow.

Just about every deadline is now met, and you can focus on final preparations for next Saturday. We have two special guests as interview judges this week: Frank Kuntz, Wenatchee mayor, and Jerrilea Crawford, East Wenatchee mayor. They’ll make sure you’re all set for your private interview on March 21.

Because of the decision to limit the audience, People’s Choice will only happen online this year. We’ll shut down the online voting on Friday evening, March 20. Bring your donation cans to rehearsal on Sunday if you still have yours, but unfortunately we will not be using them during intermission.

On Sunday at Worx, I’ll be handing you two documents. One is an introduction to your panel of judges. The second is a schedule for next week, including your interview time on Saturday. We’ll review it in detail on Sunday.

One event the schedule doesn’t mention: there is a breakfast meeting with the new Miss East Cascades, her parents, and the board on Sunday, March 22 at 9:00 a.m. in the Cadman Room of the Red Lion Hotel. If that’s you, take note that it will be your first appearance as our titleholder, so come in crown and sash!

And one more thing not currently on the schedule: Based on projections for People’s Choice, we may get together one final time for a little hair color party! Let’s be sure to talk about our schedules on Sunday.

Thanks to each one of you for joining us on this journey. If you become our new titleholder, we’ll welcome you with joy and gratitude. If this is not your time, I encourage you to come back next year — you may well be Miss East Cascades 2021! Regardless, I hope the experiences we’ve shared this year will be a lasting, wonderful memory. Best of luck to each of you. You are prepared for this moment and we fully expect each of you to shine!