Local woman vying for Mrs. Idaho America

SANDPOINT — Jacci Humble is a wife, mother, nurse and philanthropist, and next month, she will represent Sandpoint in the Mrs. Idaho America pageant in Boise.

"I have such admiration for our cute town in northern Idaho and I am proud to stand on that stage and represent the 7B," Humble said in an email to the Daily Bee. "This town is vibrant with art and color and embodies a rich history. The costume I chose to wear for a portion of the competition is the Osprey, and very much encompasses my own artistic abilities with help from dear friends. I hope to shine brightly and make Sandpoint proud."

As Mrs. Sandpoint, Humble will vye for the chance to represent Idaho in the 2018 Mrs. America pageant and a chance to win a $10,000 prize package. The Mrs. Idaho America pageant features married women from across the state, and the winner will be crowned by Mrs. Idaho America 2017, Michelle Sheets of Athol.

Humble, originally from Kentucky, moved to Sandpoint five years ago with her husband Jake and daughter Avery. In her letter to the panel of Mrs. Idaho America judges, Humble said her goal, should she be crowned Mrs. Idaho America, is to use her voice to speak out about the importance of becoming an organ and tissue donor. In 1998, her older sister, Jennifer, died of a rare form of cancer at the age of 31. She was awaiting a liver transplant and had been on the recipient list for about 2 years. Humble was 17 at the time of her sister's death.

The death of her sister "marked her heart with grief," Humble said in the letter, but also started her campaign to become an organ donor and incited her passion for nursing — though her first love is painting.

Humble and her husband have also struggled with fertility issues, and were "blessed" with the birth of their daughter eight years ago. The couple is now looking toward domestic infant adoption, and Humble said she continues to mentor women and families facing the same fight.

Living in Sandpoint, Humble said, has enabled her to get more involved, seeking opportunities for personal growth and helped her to establish a network of friendships with "genuine and powerful women." She is a member of two local women's nonprofit groups — 7B Women and 101 Women. She also serves as a co-chair to the auction committee at her daughter’s school, where she helps plan, organize and run the school's largest fundraiser of the year, according to the letter.

Humble said people often ask her why she is competing and how she would best represent Idaho on a national stage.

"My 'why' has always been to empower other women through fellowship and community service and to inspire them in their journey, while also stepping outside of my own comfort window," Humble told the Daily Bee. "Winning the Mrs. Idaho crown would be a dream come true, and I know I can fill these shoes because of my three core values. These values are authenticity, integrity and compassion for others."

The Mrs. Idaho America Pageant is the official state preliminary to the nationally renowned Mrs. America Pageant now in its 41st year. The Mrs. America Pageant is the longest running pageant honoring America’s 63 million married women, according to a statement from the Mrs. Idaho America team. Mrs. Idaho America will go on to compete for the title of Mrs. America with delegates from all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

During the state pageant the contestants are judged in the following areas: interview, 50 percent; physical fitness, 25 percent; and evening gown, 25 percent. There will be a state winner and four runners-up. In addition to the overall winner, pageant officials will recognize winners who excel in community service, professional careers and the state costume competition representing all aspects Idaho, according to the statement.

Information about the 2018 pageant can be found at mrsidahopageant.com. To sponsor Humble, contact her at j.leigh2hum@gmail.com.

Mary Malone can be reached by email at mmalone@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.