Megan Yarberry greets the audience of the Mrs. Colorado Pageant May 16 after she is crowned Mrs. Colorado 2009 at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in Denver. Graphique/Courtesy Photo

She was crowned Cañon City’s Music and Blossom Festival Queen in 1999; 10 years later, she is the newly reigning Mrs. Colorado.

Megan Yarberry said she prepared 365 days for the two-day opportunity to make her dream become a reality.
Now that her aspiration, in fact, did come true on May 16 at the Mrs. Colorado Pageant, she no longer needs to pinch herself to see if she is living in a dream; she simply has to glance at her official Mrs. Colorado crown and satin, embroidered banner to be assured that her work and dedication has paid off.

But the honors and awards don’t stop there. Yarberry also earned the Best in Interview and Best in Evening Gown in this year’s competition at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in Denver.

Yarberry said she feels like the crown and title are not hers alone; she credits her husband Scott for being by her side since day one.

She said her “Mr. Colorado” was in the audience the night she was crowned Blossom Queen in high school and has been a tremendous support through the last 10 years of pageantry competitions.

Yarberry competed in the Miss Colorado USA Pageant in 2002 and 2003, where she placed in the top 10 both years. After marrying in 2005, she returned to the stage in 2006 to vie for the Mrs. Colorado title. Competing four years in a row, she placed fourth runner up the first year, third runner up the second year, first runner up the third year and this year won the “Stanley Cup of pageantry,” she said.
Yarberry said she has a few crusades she plans on promoting during her tenure as Mrs. Colorado, including the National Association for Music Education, which strives to keep music in classrooms, and causes that involve animals, such as animal shelters.

Normally making numerous appearances in Denver and Colorado Springs during the titleholder’s reign, Yarberry said she would like to include smaller communities in her itinerary this year and embrace as much of the state as possible.

Along with her husband, Yarberry said she is grateful for the support from her parents, in-laws, friends, sponsors and the community. Approximately 45 friends and loved ones from Cañon City were in the audience to cheer her on during her crowning moment.

“I told my family and friends ‘don’t worry about me, just believe in me,’” she said. “They had faith and confidence in me — it helped me take flight.”

Next on her pageantry agenda is an all-expenses-paid trip to participate in the Mrs. America Pageant in Southern California early this fall that may be nationally televised.

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