Caribou County’s Thurman heads to Mrs. Idaho contest
We have been following the story of Jessica Thurman, who is the reigning Mrs. Caribou County. You read that right, if you haven’t seen the title before. Mrs. Idaho is s a beauty competition that was established to honor married women throughout the U.S. The contestants representing the 50 states and DC range in age from their 20s to 50s, and earn the right to participate in the national event by winning her state competition. The winner goes on to compete in the Mrs. World pageant. There has not been an overall Idaho winner since the contest began in 1977, but Kaley Sparling was the first runner-up in 2013 and was invited to compete at Mrs. World, which she won.
Thurman is a true Caribou County representative, serving on the Bancroft City Council and also heading the Recreation Department in Soda Springs, all while serving as an ambulance driver for county emergency services.
We asked Jessica a few last questions as she prepared to head out. Best of luck to her!
What are the specific dates and location of the event/s if someone were to travel for it?
I will be there for orientation, rehearsals, interviews and the pageant starting on Wednesday February 18th, but the actual pageant is on Saturday February 21st at 6:00pm, doors open at 5:30. The pageant will be held at the NNU Brandt Auditorium in Nampa, Idaho.
What will happen at the competition?
There is a competition open now for “fabulous face.” The winner of this competition is guaranteed a spot in the top 8 during the pageant, and will get to choose a nonprofit / charity to donate all the proceeds to, and votes start at $1 on the Idaho America pageant website. Interviews are done the Friday before pageant night (50% of score). At the pageant, there is a costume portion (not judged, just something fun to represent Idaho and/or ourselves), swimsuit portion (25% of score), and formal (25% of score). those in the top 8 after all of these will then answer an on stage question. They will select a top 5, then move on to crowning 2 queens in the Mrs. Category. Mrs. Idaho American and then Mrs. Idaho America. Both queens will go on to compete for a national title.
What are you looking forward to about the event?
I look forward to meeting all the other girls. We are all there doing something we believe in and help lift each other up! It really is a sisterhood, and we all have each other’s backs. I also look forward to representing my amazing community, and state!
What are you most nervous about?
I am definitely most nervous about wearing a swimsuit on stage in front of the world! or tripping in my heels! or both...tripping in heels while wearing a swimming suit on stage!
What would it mean to win the Mrs. Idaho title?
To me, winning the title of Mrs. Idaho would be so rewarding! win or lose I am proud of how far I have gotten! It is not easy mentally, physically, or emotionally, especially in the Mrs. category after having kids and a family to juggle on top of everything else. Winning the title of Mrs. Idaho would mean so much to me as I would get to not only represent my community and state, but all women, and moms who are just trying to do their best!
Anything else you’d like people to know?
For this pageant, we get to either come up with a platform, or promote an existing platform that we believe in. I have chosen to promote G.O.A.L. (Get Outside And Live) as my platform. I believe recreation can be so beneficial to anyone and everyone! We have so many resources in our beautiful state! from rock climbing to swimming or from sports to just walking on local trails. There is so much to do and see! Being a recreation director has just made my passion for recreation grow even more!
