LIHUE — Stephanie Steuri remembers everything as a blur. The once-in-a-lifetime thrill of being crowned Miss Hawaii 2014 isn’t captured detail by precise detail. Instead, it’s all one big haze. “It was all an absolute blur,” said Steuri, of Kalaheo,
LIHUE — Stephanie Steuri remembers everything as a blur.
The once-in-a-lifetime thrill of being crowned Miss Hawaii 2014 isn’t captured detail by precise detail.
Instead, it’s all one big haze.
“It was all an absolute blur,” said Steuri, of Kalaheo, who returned to Kauai Monday after winning the state crown in Honolulu Saturday. “The show went so fast, I’m still trying to process all of it, two days later.”
Even the interview process seemed to snap by. Seven judges grilling one person with personal and current-event questions wouldn’t seem like a breeze for most, but for Steuri, it went by faster than a Kauai summer shower.
“I don’t really remember the questions they asked,” The Island School alumna said. “I was just speeding off the energy they were presenting and trying to keep my mind composed.”
By winning the scholarship pageant, Steuri will compete in the Miss America Competition in September. Preparing for the event will take up most of her summer, she said. She’ll be on Kauai only a few more days before taking off to Honolulu again for the King Kamehameha Day Parade.
And her goal, she said, is simple.
“To make Hawaii proud,” the 20-year-old said. “My whole summer is dedicated for that … This truly is a year of service for me. I can’t wait to get out there in all of our communities in our state.”
It was Steuri’s first year competing in a pageant. Not a bad result for University of Hawaii at the Manoa student who wants to become a doctor of veterinary medicine because she’s always loved animal.
“We’re very, very proud of her. She’s truly a great kid,” said her father, Chris Steuri, who added that the Saturday crowning was a whirlwind for him and the family as well. Before they realized what was happening, it was over. And camera flashes were going off everywhere.
“We haven’t quite awaken yet,” he said.
While a lot of work and promotion promises to fill out her summer, Steuri, the first Kauai winner in 42 years, said she doesn’t plan to get too nervous for the national competition.
“My approach is going to be the same,” she said. “It’s about competing with yourself and bettering yourself. I know that sounds cliche but I truly believe that.”
“I just want to thank Kauai so much for all the incredible support because I honestly don’t think I could have made it without the community of the island,” she added.
