Cheering for their Loubug

Miss America pageant a crowning moment for familyHer family's focus: Being there for Elyse.

In addition to her parents, Miss Washington's contingent includes her 80-something grandmother, Viola Lumley, whom Elyse calls her "she-ro," Elyse's aunt, Lila Lumley, a 60-something retired school administrator from Wapato, and Elyse's three younger sisters, 17-year-old Lauren Lame Bull, a senior at Zillah's Christian Worship Center Academy, 10-year-old Sheliann Lame Bull, a fourth-grader at the same school, and 14-year-old Cheyne Lame Bull, who is home-schooled.

They're among 120 supporters from Washington state who traveled to Vegas for tonight's pageant. When Elyse is up there, on the Miss America stage, under the lights for the final time, at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, they'll be cheering for their Loubug.

"We do everything for Elyse right now," Luana Lumley says. "This is once-in-a-lifetime."Comment:  Alas, Miss Michigan won the Miss America title. But Elyse Umemoto was the second runner, which isn't bad.