Miss America sendoff for Sarah Jensen this Saturday

A sendoff celebration for Miss America contestant and Weiser native Sarah Jensen is being held this Saturday (Nov. 26) from 2-6 p.m. at the Weiser Train Depot.

 The event features a raffle, refreshments, and a preview of Jensen’s Miss America wardrobe. 

 All are welcome to come visit and wish her well as she embarks on an experience of a lifetime.

 The Weiser High School graduate was crowned Miss Idaho on June 18, 2022, qualifying her to compete in Miss America 2023 to be held at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn., beginning Monday, Dec. 12.

 “It is a huge honor,” she said of representing Weiser and the state of Idaho in America’s 101st Miss America pageant.

 Jensen and the rest of the candidates are scheduled to arrive in New York City Dec. 8 for public appearances on Dec. 9 before flying to Connecticut a few days prior to the pageant.

 “We have two days of prelims, on Monday and Tuesday, where everyone will compete, meaning all 51 states,” Jensen said. “Then, they will do finals and it is either the top 10 or 15 – they haven’t told us yet – who will compete in the finals.”

 Alaskan, Emma Broyles, will pass on her crown after serving an unprecedented two years as the reigning Miss America due to circumstances related to the pandemic.

 Jensen is a hometown girl born and raised in Weiser. At W.H.S., she served on student council, participated in school musicals and choir, and was part of the “Red Wave” spirit club. She was also on the volleyball and softball teams.

 “I really liked the smalltown community; It was great because I grew up knowing everybody,” she said of Weiser. “It was special and fun, and I got to experience a lot of things whereas in bigger schools a lot of kids have to pick and choose the things they are involved in. I got to be involved in everything and I liked that.”

 Jensen earned her degree in education from Washington State University and is now a math teacher at Gem Prep Meridian Charter School.

 She is also currently pursuing her master’s in Educational Leadership at Boise State University. 

 When through, she will be qualified to serve as a school principal. Those plans, however, are temporarily on hold.

 “I’m actually on pause with my degree,” she said. “I finished three of five semesters, but when I won Miss Idaho, I had to take something off my plate.”

 Jensen has been preparing for months, with frequent mock interviews for the 10-minute interview portion of the competition. She also practices daily on the piano, her chosen talent.

 There is also a 45-second TED-type talk, which she will utilize to introduce her “Why Math Matters” social impact initiative, which aims to demonstrate to youth the fact that math is relevant in just about every job or career.

Saturday’s Raffle

 Tickets are 5 for $20 and all proceeds will go to help defray the cost of flight tickets and other expenses associated with Jensen’s cross-country trek to New York and then Connecticut. Raffle items include the following:

 A Princess Cake by Danni; $100 Ruszoni’s gift card; Sweet Treats from Tami Janicek; Champaign cake from Claudia Hoffman; Smoke Shack gift card; photo package from Margaret Jensen Photography; four-course gourmet dinner for four from Hunter Durgan; gift packages from Weiser Classic Candy, Twisted Fringe, and Mary Kay (from Marissa); and gift baskets from Zions Bank, Peoples Furniture, and Columbia Bank.

 More items are being added to the list daily.