MOSES LAKE — Mattie Bergeson, a Moses Lake High School student, beat seven other contestants to win the title of 2009 Moses Lake Junior Miss.

The eight contestants were judged on interviews, scholarship, talent, fitness and poise competitions. About 300 people gathered in the Moses Lake High School auditorium Saturday night to watch them compete in the talent, fitness and poise portions of the contest. These make up about 55 percent of their total score.

“It is now the oldest and largest scholarship program for high school seniors in the United States,” Mistress of Ceremonies Debbie Roeber said. “It is conducted on a local, state and national level.”

Roeber said the hope is the contestants take the lessons they’ve learned from the program through the rest of their life.

“It is a continuing experience. It teaches all of its participants meaningful life lessons, composure under stress, carriage, formal conduct, the importance of a healthy lifestyle and the beauty of self-respect and confidence,” she said.

During the poise competition all of the contestants were asked a random question. Bergerson was asked who she would most like to interview if she was the host of a talk show.

“I would definitely like to interview Condoleezza Rice,” she answered. “What a great example she is to our nation.”

Bergeson danced for the talent portion and for the fitness portion all of the contestants performed a roughly 15-minute routine. She said the fitness competition was the hardest portion of the contest.

“It was really fun,” she said. “We love each other.”

She plans on attending Brigham Young University for business administration.

All of the contestants started practicing for the competition about two months ago.

Bergeson will compete for the state title in August in Pullman, Wash.