February 6, 2009
HUTCHINSON, KANSAS The reigning Miss Kansas, Emily Deaver of Augusta, has accepted an invitation to serve as a judge for Miss and Ms Salt Queen, being conducted in conjunction with the fiftieth anniversary of Underground Vaults & Storage.
A golden anniversary celebration, highlighted by the Salt Queen coronations, is scheduled for Friday, April 24, at the newly expanded UV&S underground offices adjacent to its secured storage facility in the salt mines 650 feet below Hutchinson. The popular television personality Larry Hatteberg will be the evening’s master of ceremonies.
Lee Spence, UV&S president, said the queen contest is intended as a nostalgic tribute to a 1961 event which gained Underground Vaults considerable national attention. The National Press Photographers Association, meeting in Wichita, brought along its Miss National Press Photographer contestants when the members toured the facility, and the first ever wire service photograph transmitted from underground was carried by newspapers nationwide.
The appearance of Miss Kansas at our celebration adds to how special the evening will be. And having Larry as our MC is just icing on our anniversary cake! said Spence.
Hatteberg has been with KAKE TV for 45 years as an anchor and reporter, and is probably best known for his Hatteberg’s People series.
Miss Salt Queen is for young women 18 to 21 years of age, and the Ms Salt Queen for those 50 to 53 to tie-in with the 50-year company anniversary. Because Underground Vaults is so well known for storing Hollywood films and movie artifacts, one of the judging categories will be movie costumes. The contestants will be evaluated on a personal interview, evening gown, and appearance as the movie character of their choice. Each winner will receive $3,000 a $2,000 cash award plus a $1,000 donation UV&S will make to the charity of her choice. Four runners-up in both age divisions will also win cash awards.
Information about entering the Salt Queen event can be obtained by contacting Nancy Young at UV&S: 620 662-6769, extension 210, or [email protected]. The entry form and related details are also available online at www.undergroundvaults.com/50thanniversary.
