When Wenatchee High School sophomore Cascade Crum received the invitation to be a part of the Miss Teen of Washington Scholastic Pageant, she almost exploded with joy.

“I cried so much, because I came from a really bad place in Florida… This town is amazing and the fact that someone noticed me… It makes me really happy,” Crum said.

Miss Teen of Washington is an invite-only pageant for female teenage students, who are recognized for being heavily involved in their community.

Crum said she spends as much time helping in her community as she possibly can, from helping families strengthen their ties to being the high school mascot at the Special Olympics. Crum enjoys helping people, and she makes her friends help out in the community with things such as picking up cigarette butts in Walla Walla Point Park.

Crum also participates in groups such as the Diversity Council of Wenatchee to various WHS clubs such as German Club, Art Club, Inspire Club, and Interact Club.

Due to financial difficulties, Crum said that she might not be able to attend the pageant. She plans to ask her friends and family for some help fundraising and hopes that she’ll be able to raise enough money to go. Crum said she would, “Show the the judges that a small town like Wenatchee can do great.”

Crum said that she hopes to either win or be one of the two runners-up, but just going is enough for her. Whoever wins the Miss Teen of Washington Pageant goes on to the Miss Teen of America pageant.

Ultimately, Crum said she hopes to represent Wenatchee in the pageant. She hopes to prove that “small towns have just as much oomph as big cities,” Crum said.