Miss Washington loses her crown in theft

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EDGEWOOD, Wash., Feb. 29 (UPI) -- The reigning Miss Washington's crown, and other symbols of her reign, have been stolen in a car theft, she said.

Brittney Henry loaded her luggage into her car the night before an early Tuesday morning trip to an appearance in Everett, Wash., and awoke to find her car missing from her Edgewood, Wash., driveway, KING-TV, Seattle, reported.

Four evening gowns, the crown, the decorative sash, her wallet and an iPad containing photographs she displays to audiences while working to support children's charities, were gone, she reported.

"To have my crown and sash, which can't be sold because they say 'Miss Washington 2011' on them, is unfathomable to me," she said.

She estimated the loss at $10,000, and said it is the crown that provides the impact of her message, when speaking to low-income children on the importance of education.

"It's really the power of the crown that influences them and makes them open up and listen to the message. Without that I'm essentially useless as a Miss Washington and as a mentor," she said.

The vehicle was recovered a few miles from her home, authorities reported.

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