Bigfork mom going for state pageant title

By JORDAN DAWSON / Bigfork Eagle

Some women are born with beauty, grace and a desire to glide across a stage on national television wearing nothing but a swimsuit, high heels and a huge smile. Others seem to find their way to the pageant circuit in different ways.

Kelly Walker, of Bigfork, said she thinks of herself as an ugly duckling who was awkward in high school. But she has blossomed since those days, and was recently selected as Mrs. Bigfork America and will represent the community at the 32nd annual state pageant at the Petro Theatre in Billings on Saturday, June 12.

Walker uses her own life experiences to help others as a life coach at Bigfork Medical clinic, where her husband Craig is a psychologist. She mentors adolescent girls and wives who have self identity issues and have trouble making positive life changes. She specifically works with young girls to educate them about the consequences of starting adult behaviors, like sex and drinking alcohol, at a young age.

"I really feel like I have a lot to offer to kids and women who have trouble opening up," Walker said. "I come from an abusive background and I had a lot of problems standing up for myself, and I've moved through that. I enjoy seeing people move through their problems."

She saw an ad in the paper for the Mrs. Montana America pageant, and with the encouragement of her husband, decided to mail in an application. She was shocked when she received a letter back saying she was selected as Mrs. Bigfork.

"I'm going with the mindset of 'Oh my gosh they picked me. There must be a reason,'" Walker said.

Walker, 39, is a mother of five children, Joel, 15, Ryan, 13, Madeline, 12, Eli 10 and Aidan 4. Family is very important to her. She lives in a quaint 1970s cabin on Echo Lake. They do not have television, but choose to only watch movies. The family spends one night a week together, and when their busy schedules align, they also work out together at the local gym. The Walkers have even formed their own family band, with mom playing the keyboard.

"Family is the only thing you have," she said. "When everything else has gone wrong all you have is family, and you need to nurture those relationships."

The part she says she is most excited for is the night of the pageant when she sees her family in the audience.

"They have been so supportive," Walker said. "It's been a family affair. I couldn't have done all this without them."

Walker moved to Kalispell from New Jersey when she was 12 years old, and graduated from Flathead High School in 1987. She went on to attend Montana State University and get her Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. In 2006 she published her first book "Beaten By Nuns." She is currently writing her second book "Notes From Band Camp." Walker admits that her main inspiration for entering the pageant was to use the experience for a future book.

"I thought it would be fun to write about," she said. "I'm always looking for writing material. I'm the least likely person to enter a pageant. Funny stuff happens to me all the time. I fully expect something funny to happen to me at the pageant."

There are three categories that the contestants are judged on at the state competition. Half of their score is based on the interview portion, and a quarter of their score is based each on the gown and swimsuit portions. Contestants select their own gown and interview outfit, but the dress for the opening number and the swimsuit, are selected for them by the pageant. Walker hired an interview coach and a walking coach to help her perform at her best. At six-feet tall, Walker said she is still a little nervous about walking in high-heels at the pageant.

"I'm not really a glam girl," Walker said. "So over the last few months I've had to work on that a lot. I'm more the type to go hiking and do outdoor things."

The winner of the state competition will receive a prize package valued at over $8,000 and will advance to compete in the national Mrs. America Pageant in Arizona. The Mrs. America Pageant is the only nationally televised beauty competition that recognizes America's married women.

"I'm ready," Walker said. "I kind of want to get it over with because now I'm overly ready. I can't wait to write about it."