|
who went to the pageant in Tucson, Ariz., after
besting 41 competitors at the state Mrs. Wyoming competition
earlier this year."Kelly is one of the most down-to-earth,
beautiful people I know," said Perfect Ten owner Amy Abbott, who
has known McBee since the two competed in the Mrs. Wyoming pageant
two years ago. Abbott hired McBee after
chatting with her during the competition and liked her drive --
and the fact the two shared a common expertise in nail art.
Abbott and her co-workers at the salon got the
call at midnight of McBee's victory, which set off a
chain-reaction of congratulatory phone calls.
McBee was still in Arizona on Thursday and not
available for comment, though she was expected in Wyoming by the
weekend.
Her reaction upon receiving the Mrs. America
crown, according to The Associated Press: "I'm in shock. I don't
believe it."
McBee, who grew up in Visalia, Calif., in the
fertile San Joaquin Valley, moved to Worland just three years ago,
where she lives with her husband, Jeff, a mechanic at the
Pepsi-Cola bottling plant, and the couple's three children --
7-year-old Quinton and 4-year-old twins Regan and Lane.
Abbott said she expected the buzz for McBee to
grow as word spreads.
"Oh, my gosh, this is huge," she said of the
news. "We've got a lot of support for her here."
McBee, who plays recreational softball, touted a
platform of "swinging for the fences" at the Mrs. America
competition.
"I can't think of anyone who deserves this more
than she does," said co-worker Lora Drake. "It just validates the
fact that she's a working mother who does a great job of balancing
work and family."
The pageant that celebrates "America's greatest
natural resource" is in its 30th year and was founded by producer
David Marmel. The winner of the pageant will compete at the
upcoming Mrs. World pageant, which features dozens of
international winners competing for the world title.
Well-wishers have flooded McBee's MySpace
Internet networking site since the news broke. The site welcomes
visitors with a message: "Cherish your yesterdays, dream your
tomorrows, but live your todays."
On the site, McBee tells the world that she's a
big rhythm and blues fan who also enjoys Kenny G, Christian music
and some country tunes. Her biggest heroes are her family, she
writes.
Now, the whole town of Worland has a new hero,
too. Drake said she noticed people talking about McBee at at least
one gas station in town, and the salon is planning a welcome-home
party.
"We're a pretty small community, and she has
represented us, herself and her family very well," Drake said.
Viewers who want to see Kelly McBee's
crowning achievement will have to wait until Sept. 21, when the
Mrs. America pageant broadcasts on the WE TV network, hosted by
Alan Thicke and former reality-show star Omarosa Stallworth of
"The Apprentice." |
