Miss Lewis County 2024: Katelynn Guenther and Capri O’Neill take home the crowns

The Academy Awards may have captured the global spotlight this weekend, but many eyes in Lewis County were turned toward their own star-studded awards night on Saturday: the annual Miss Lewis County Scholarship Program.

Hundreds of people turned out in person and online to witness the crowning of this year’s Miss Lewis County and the first-ever Miss Teen Lewis County at the Corbet Theatre on March 9.

Miss Lewis County 2024 is Katelynn Guenther, a 19-year-old Centralia College student, photographer and country musician.

She is studying to become a K-8 elementary educator, with plans to continue her photography business and country music career.

Her community service initiative is agriculture literacy and focusing on the importance of agriculture.

“I’m so grateful for this wonderful experience, and beyond excited to represent the county this upcoming year!” Guenther said in a Facebook post on Sunday.

Miss Lewis County’s Teen 2024 is Capri O’Neill, a 15-year-old W.F. West High School student and younger sister of Miss Lewis County 2023 Myah O’Neill, who passed her crown off to Guenther on Saturday.

Capri O’Neill’s community service initiative is advocating for children in need of eye care and eyewear.

“I am so honored to represent Lewis County and can’t wait for this year!” O’Neill said in a Facebook post on Sunday.

A local chapter of the Miss America program, contestants in both Miss Lewis County divisions were judged on pre-pageant interviews, on-stage questions, the “red carpet” portion and a talent show.

Guenther and O’Neill will serve as the official hostesses of Lewis County until March 2025 and will compete in the Miss Washington Scholarship Program in July 2024.

Alongside their crowns and titles, Guenther and O’Neill each went home with a $2,000 cash scholarship and a $3,500 scholarship to Centralia College.

Guenther also received the Staff Award for punctuality, the “Happy Ad Award” for selling the most ads during the competition, the Four Points of the Crown Award for embodying the four points of the Miss America crown, and the People’s Choice Award.

O’Neill received the Staff Award and People’s Choice Award in the Teen category.

Haiden Bartel, 15, of Chehalis received both the Happy Ad Award and the Service to Community Award in the Teen category.

Syndi Galligher, 21, of Centralia received the Service to Community Award in the Miss category.

The Miss Congeniality awards, which are decided by a vote from the contestants themselves, went to Miss contestant Amanda Brossard, 18, of Chehalis, and Teen contestant Lily Bailey, 13, of Chehalis.

Each of the awards handed out Saturday night came with scholarships ranging from $300 to $850.

Learn more about the Miss Lewis County Scholarship Program online at https://www.misslewiscounty.com/.