Mrs. Johnson County wins award during Mrs. Kansas pageant

Charalet Dunnigan, Mrs. Johnson County 2008, received the Ambassador Award during the April 26 Mrs. Kansas America pageant finals at the Scottish Rite Temple in Wichita.

The award honors the contestant who made the most public appearances in preparation for the state pageant.

Named as Mrs. Kansas 2008 was Kimberly McDowell, an assistant professor of language and literacy at Wichita State University and the mother of seven children. The first and second runners-up were Jennifer Slavens and Dianne Paukstellis.

Reflecting on her first pageant experience, Dunnigan, who lives in Gardner with her husband, Ed, and their two sons, said, "It was fun. I was surprised by the quality of women that I competed against. They were all kind and considerate. Ed enjoyed getting to know the other husbands.

"I was encouraged to return next year and since the process of going to this pageant was so good for my health and well-being, I'm seriously considering it," Dunnigan said. "I realize now it takes a lot of courage to do it."

As for what preparing for and participating in the Mrs. Kansas pageant has meant to her, Dunnigan said, "I'd compare it to something like a European trip. If I'm lucky, I'll get to go a few times in my life. Each time will be a little different and will make a subtle impact on my world view. I see it as one of many tools to chisel off rough edges of my personality so I can be at my best. It has offered unexpected opportunities to speak encouragement into the lives of women of all ages." Dunnigan said participating in the pageant process has made her appreciate — even more than before — how supportive her husband is.

"It has impressed upon me the importance of being a good role model," she added. "Married women really don't have a lot of those in mainstream media."

About her first day back home after her pageant weekend, Dunnigan said, "Monday was a hard day, not because I lost, but because Saturday was all about dance routines and evening gowns and Monday, I went back to dirty dishes and laundry. I spoke with several other contestants including the winner, and we all worked through that for a few days."

Throughout the remainder of her year as Mrs. Johnson County, Dunnigan said, she plans to continue making public appearances and raising support for autism awareness efforts on behalf of her school-age son, Johnathan, who has autism. Autism awareness was also Dunnigan's platform issue during the Mrs. Kansas preliminaries.

Although Dunnigan said she will not decide until this fall whether she will apply for the 2009 Mrs. Kansas Pageant, she said, "Because preparing for the pageant was such a good motivator, I intend to live as if I'll compete again next year."