Two-time felon chosen to represent town in pageant

A West Yellowstone women, a two-time convicted felon, one for child endangerment, has been selected to compete in the Mrs. Montana Pageant.

In the Dec. 7 issue of the News was a story about the search for applicants for Mrs. West Yellowstone to compete in the statewide Mrs. Montana contest, with the ultimate goal of the nationally televised Mrs. America Pageant. Melissa Finney sent in her application at that time .

In May of 2006, Finney was convicted of forgery by Fremont County District Court in Idaho and sentenced to three years probation. In November 2006, she was convicted in Gallatin County District Court of felony criminal endangerment of a child in an incident on October 15, 2004 while Finney was babysitting.

Criminal endangerment is defined in the Montana Code Annotated as a person who knowingly engaged in conduct that creates a substantial risk of death or serious bodliy injury to another. With a no-contest plea and a plea bargain, Finney did not go to trial and was sentenced to seven years probation.

The probationary sentences are being served concurrently under Gallatin County supervision. Gallatin County probation officer, Rebekah Klein, told the News on Wednesday that Finney is in compliance with the conditions of her probation and with her court ordered conditions.

When asked for a comment, Melissa Finney said, "I was falsely accused of something I didn't do. Seven years of my life has been stolen from me. I refuse to let anything kick me down, I'll keep moving forward in life and make the best of it. I am proud to be representing West Yellowstone in the Mrs. Montana Pageant. Thanks for your support."

Finney and her husband moved to the area from Minnesota seven years ago. They live on Horse Butte with their two young children.

Pageant applicants must be at least 18 years of age, married at the time of competition and a Montana resident. According to Sheree Channel, executive state director for the Mrs. Montana-America Pageant, no performing talent is required and no background check is performed. Contacted on Wednesday, Channel would not comment on the selection of Finney.

Melissa Finney and Shea Unger both applied. Finney was selected as Mrs. West Yellowstone and Unger was chosen as Mrs. Southwestern Montana. A Mrs. Gallatin County was also chosen in the contest. All three will be vying, with other married women in the state, for the title of Mrs. Montana.

Unger and her husband built a home on Horse Butte nine years ago and have lived here full time for four years. They have two young children. On January 14, Unger was informed by letter of her selection for Mrs. Southwestern Montana and a press release was said to be forthcoming.

The Finney press release sent out by pageant director Channel reads as follows: "Mrs. Melissa Finney [was] selected to represent West Yellowstone in the Mrs. Montana America Pageant. She will represent her community in the 32nd annual state pageant to be July 12 at the Petro Theatre in Billings. The winner of the pageant will receive a prize package valued at over $8000 and will advance on to compete in the National Mrs. America Pageant.

"Celebrating its 32nd year, the Mrs. America Pageant is the only nationally televised beauty competition to recognize the one person who contrubutes so much to modern family life...America's married woman!"

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