The Hansen family in Lakewood is unique for a couple of reasons. For one thing, they have five children, ages 13 to 24. For another, the two youngest daughters of retired Army sergeant Karl Hansen and his wife Rebecca; Kelli, age 16; and Hailey, age 13, happen to be the reigning 2017 Miss Washington High School America and 2017 Miss Washington Junior High School America, respectively. Kelli, who is a junior at Steilacoom High School, and Hailey, who is an 8th grader at Pioneer Middle School, are both seasoned pageant contestants. In fact, Kelli is the former 2014 Miss Alaska Junior High School America. The sisters will be competing for the 2017 Miss Junior High America and Miss High School America crowns in Little Rock, Arkansas, next summer.

Both girls will be appearing at this year's Military Families Holiday Party. Sponsored by The Ranger, Airlifter and USAA, the Military Families Holiday Party Saturday, Dec. 10, in Lacey, is free for active-duty, Reserve and retired servicemembers and their families. This year's party will include games, prizes, treats, a craft bazaar, Santa Claus, a live nativity scene, giant bounce houses and slides, and more. A special feature of the celebration will be a Princess Craft Party, where the young and young-at-heart can mingle with "royalty" and create crafts to take home. Kelli and Hailey will be there in full princess regalia - tiaras included - to assist in the creative process. While admission is free, it is requested that families planning to attend RSVP at rsvpbook.com/event.php?404404.

Kelli, who is on target to graduate from Steilacoom High School a year early, hopes to study dentistry at the University of Montana in Missoula. Junior higher Haley would like to be a veterinarian someday. Both girls are active ambassadors for the Miss Junior High/High School/Collegiate America Pageant's B.R.A.V.E. (Building Respect and Values for Everyone) anti-bullying program, and the girls have had a busy fall, appearing at everything from movie premieres to air shows to Trick-or-Treat night at the Tacoma Mall to multiple other community events, including the annual Lakewood Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting, Dec. 2.

According to Mom Rebecca, "The girls are always looking for opportunities to speak to groups of school-aged children and promote their platform of B.R.A.V.E."

The Miss Junior High America Pageant and the Miss Senior High School America Pageant exist "for the purpose of providing personal and professional opportunities" for junior high and high school-age girls. It is their "goal to provide outstanding young ladies the opportunity to compete in a pageant system that has the highest of moral values." Learn more at their website: americashighschoolpageant.com.

Military Families Holiday Party, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, Northwest Christian High School, 4710 Park Center Ave. NE, Lacey, free, 253.584.1212, RSVP at rsvpbook.com/event.php?404404