When the request came my way, I thought they must have me confused with someone else. Perhaps this email came my way by accident. Why me?
It asked if I would be a judge for the Miss Kauai Filipina 60th annual Scholarship Pageant. Yep. You can’t believe it either. What would the editor of The Garden Island know about judging a pageant?
Well, I knew enough to say — absolutely. It would be an honor.
It was an easy decision, and a good one, it turned out.
Saturday night at War Memorial Convention Hall, before about 800 people, Marli Genegabuas was crowned the winner of this pageant with a proud history. She, along with the other contestants, Kimberly Matutina, Anna Broyles and Callie Racelo, were a delight to watch and hear from. All of Kauai should be proud of them. These girls looked and acted older than the 17 and 18-year-old, high school graduates, that they were. They were smart, gracious, poised and talented, bright and beautiful. Each paid tribute to their culture and heritage. Each spoke of overcoming challenges. Each represented courage and grace. Each displayed their own style. These young ladies will make their mark on this world and rest assured, it will be for the better.
I will tell you, it was incredibly difficult to judge them and determine one winner. I did get a chance to chat with Marli at the pageant luncheon. Her achievements, her demeanor, her attitude, her maturity, her goals, are a marvel for someone so young. When I was that age, I was a complete goof and many would say I still am today.
I must add that my fellow judges of the interview, speech, talent and swimsuit competitions, Rhoda Lynn Libre, Julienne Mateo Maranan, Lesah Merritt and Stephanie Shinno, were encouraging, friendly and a pleasant to know. Each, like the contestants, was engaging and committed to doing their best.
The Terno judges were Elsa Pascua Talavera and Jasmine Yukimura. Auditor and alternate judge was Concepcion Balisacan. I felt honored to be sitting in this middle of the judges table with these incredible ladies — and yes, quite a bit out of place. But, I did my best and believe I did a decent job as judge, as my scoring pretty much fell in line with the overall results.
What struck me, too, was the support of the contestants. Ohana and friends filled the seats and rooted for these girls like this was the seventh game of the World Series. Their love and their pride overflowed. Their cheers and applause mattered, as the girls simply beamed on stage. It lifted them up.
I recount this story to encourage you, when you are given the opportunity to volunteer, to say yes, even if you aren’t too sure about, even if you would rather not, even if you think you’ll make a mess of things. It is an honor to be asked. And you will have the chance, as I did, to meet some of the best people you otherwise would not. You will be better for it.
Congratulations to everyone involved in the Miss Kauai Filipina 60th annual Scholarship Pageant. You should be proud. I know I am.
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Bill Buley is editor-in-chief of The Garden Island newspaper. He can be reached at 652-0148.
