Tara Turnure Miss Washington USA

Tara was born and raised in Seattle, Washington where she completed both her elementary and high school education as an honor student. Very active as a leader among her peers, Tara was the Captain of the Seattle Prep cheer squad her senior year, and was faculty nominated and initiated to be a Peer Mentor to underclassman. An athlete her whole life, Tara played varsity Lacrosse for four years. Tara comes from generations of family in Washington State, with whom she shares a very close relationship, especially with her twin sister, Tracy.

Tara is presently pursuing a degree in Business Marketing at Northeastern University, where she is required to complete two full time internships in order to graduate. Her first internship experience was at Boston Common Magazine, where she worked as a marketing/sales intern and assisted with the planning and the implementation of numerous corporate events. She is currently completing her second internship in New York City at Cosmopolitan Magazine. From these experiences Tara has learned what it takes to be a successful business woman and is looking forward to using her business education to contribute to the successful and positive image that Miss Washington USA has to offer young women. Tara plans on pursuing a career in Broadcasting and serving as a positive inspiration for women of all ages through her commitment to service and always staying true to her high moral and ethical values. During her free time she enjoys, exercising, cupcakes, fashion, the outdoors, reading the newspaper and catching up with friends. She considers summiting Mt. Rainer in 2006 one of her greatest personal accomplishments.

In addition to focusing on her education, Tara is also a very compassionate young woman who is dedicated to community service and helping improve the lives of others. Some of her service experience includes a mission trip to Tijuana, Mexico. Where Tara stayed at an orphanage while helping to lead 40 high school students construct ten homes for homeless families in one week! Tara would like to go on her next mission trip to Africa where she would like to help rebuild a community and have the opportunity to work at a local orphanage. Most recently, she volunteered this summer at Children's Hospital where she loved meeting inspiring patients and their families. She was amazed by the number of volunteers that dedicate so much to make it possible for Children's Hospital to be a successful non-profit organization, - a reflection of the community's dedication in Washington State of which she is so proud to be a part.

As the newly crowned Miss Washington USA 2009, Tara is thrilled to return to her hometown of Seattle, to be closer to her amazing support system as she fulfills her exciting role as Miss Washington USA, and prepares for her success at the Miss USA pageant this spring. She is truly honored to represent her beautiful state and is so excited to embrace her new responsibilities as a titleholder! She is looking forward to being active in all communities of Washington, being an outstanding leader who leads by example and helps inspire young women to follow their dreams!!

"When you dream, dream BIG! You can achieve anything you set your mind to, be confident in your mind, and know in your heart that you can do it! Happiness is where you find it, love is a way of life, and beauty is something created from within" ~ Tara Turnure