By Christine Vincent
It’s no spelling error: Denise Baumgardner is the first Mrs. Hoquiam. The unpretentious, single-minded redhead is wife to Samuel of 24 years, mother of Kayla, 21, Vicky, 20, Hannah, 17, Abby, 13, and a soon-to-be grandmother. Denise is a native of Centralia who came to Grays Harbor 15 years ago when her husband took a position at Stafford Creek Corrections Center. Trained as a kidney dialysis technician, Denise is now enjoying life as a stay-at-home mom.
Denise took the title of Mrs. Hoquiam 2015 when she entered the Mrs. Washington America Pageant as the only contestant from Grays Harbor. Mrs. Washington America, a televised event for married women and preliminary to the Mrs. America and Mrs. World pageants, proclaims the mission to “… empower and mentor women to make a difference.”
To “make a difference” could also be described as the Baumgardner’s family motto. Denise and Samuel have experienced hardships which motivated them to help others. The Baumgardners have worked in many charities, primarily with youth. They have raised a strong family. When asked why they have such a good relationship with their four daughters, Denise explain with conviction. “We are a faith-based family. We give our kids attention rather than money. We teach them morals and how to be ladies. We go on walks together.”
Many of the Baumgardner walks are made for charity. Denise has volunteered in numerous community functions – as a Sunday School teacher, Salvation Army bellringer, assistant manager of a Project Ignition grant, and leader of the Grays Harbor teenage suicide prevention campaign To Save a Life. She has organized events and spoken in front of audiences. Most of her time has been invested in two national charities, The Hope Heart Institute and Relay For Life.
When Samuel suffered a heart attack in 2002, Denise and her family began working with The Hope Heart Institute to spread awareness of heart disease. After losing a number of family members and Samuel’s best friend to cancer, the Baumgardners decided to focus their community work on Relay For Life which raises funds for cancer research. Denise began walking for the Grays Harbor Relay For Life eight years ago together with her daughters. Today she serves as her church team’s associate team captain and as a committee member of this remarkable organization.
In 2014, The Grays Harbor Relay For Life teams raised a record $318,709 in the 4th largest Relay for Life event in the country. Forty-four individual teams participated in the 24 hour walk event. Denise wants readers to be aware that these funds are badly needed as one in three Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
For many years, Denise has given the greatest part of her life to her family and her community. When this busy lady is asked how she came to enter the Mrs. Washington pageant on top of all her other commitments, she smiles. “I didn’t. My husband signed me up. He wanted me to do something just for myself.”
In March 2014, Denise attended a viewing party where the reigning Mrs. Washington, Karen Caldwell, showed the new applicants a video of last year’s pageant. Karen was impressed by Mrs. Hoquiam’s somewhat unusual background. Not many pageant contestants have four kids, are entered by their husband and count duck hunting among their hobbies. Karen became Denise’s mentor and close friend.
During her year as Mrs. Hoquiam, Denise enjoyed a taste of every woman’s dream – sparkling jewelry, glamorous gowns, elegant high heels, professional make-up, hair and nails, and professional photographs. She attended workshops on public speaking and interviewing skills, dressing and make-up, fitness and healthy eating. Denise enjoyed herself but she was also happy to be able to use her title in the promotion of her charity work. In fact, Hope Heart, one of the Baumgardner’s favorite organizations, is also the Mrs. Washington America featured charity.
Mrs. Hoquiam 2015 has had 46 public appearances in her reigning year so far. How does she balance such a load with her family life? As in everything else, the Baumgardner family also shares in their mom’s pageant life. Three of the Baumgardner girls have participated in pageants and are proud to see their mother follow in her daughters’ footsteps. Often Denise’s family accompanies her to events. Much pageant time doubles as family time.
On May 16, 2015, Denise Baumgardner will compete for the title of Mrs. Washington America in Olympia. For each public appearance Mrs. Hoquiam is expected to wear a new gown and shoes. In addition, there are make-up and hair styling costs as well as travel costs.
If you would like to give to our Mrs. Hoquiam, who has given so much to our community or express your support, please visit Mrs. Hoquiam’s Facebook page or go directly to Mrs. Hoquiam’s youcaring page. Denise thanks all her generous sponsors.
