New Miss Washington USA has Bellevue Ties

The new Miss Washington USA has some Eastside ties, including to Bellevue.

Cassandra Searles of Redmond was crowned Miss Washington USA during last weekend's pageant at the Highland Performing Arts Center in Burien.

Searles, 24, is a graduate of UW-Bothell and works at Sterling Bank’s Bellevue Commercial office, according to the Miss Washington USA website. She stated on the pageant's website that her personal platform is "to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy through non-profits such as Junior Achievement."

Searles will compete in the 2013 Miss USA competition, which will air live on NBC Universal next spring.

For more information, visit the Miss Washington USA website.