Johnny Rockets Fundraiser

On October 11, I partnered with Johnny Rockets of Camarillo and put on a fundraiser for the Ventura County Scholarship Association! The restaurant donated 15% of their clients' checks to our organization when they mentioned Miss Ventura County =)
The fundraiser was, to be honest, not as big of a turnout as I would have liked to have seen... but when you're unwillingly (and unknowingly until about a week out) competing against the Vice-Presidential Debates, the MLB Playoffs, and the rain... you're bound to run into some attendance issues!
Despite these obstacles, I still consider the event an overall success: not only did we raise some money for the contestants' scholarships- I got to talk to some wonderful people about our incredible organization, and two lovely young ladies expressed interest in competing in our our 2013 pageant! In addition, I learned some lessons about fundraising that I will carry into my next attempts to raise funds for the organization, including picking a date without any major general conflicts (such as the debate)... Part of being Miss VC is rolling with the punches and making lemonade out of lemony circumstances! =)

Carnevale Ventura Fashion Show!!

Last Sunday, I took a trip back in time to the Crown Plaza Hotel in Ventura, where the Renaissance era was in full swing! I was recruited by Leroy Becker, director of the Historical Figure Foundation, and Angel Jones with Wenches and Warriors to be a model in the Carnevale Ventura Designer Fashion Show! The show featured various creations from local Carnevale Ventura clothing designers and two select pieces from the George Stuart Historical Figures Foundation collection; my outfit was specially put together to feature an exquisite headdress designed by Michelle Fennema! I also wore one of her magnificent medallions that went beautifully with the dress  =)  The schedule consisted of a rehearsal in the morning, hair and makeup, followed by three shows during the afternoon: 1:00, 2:30, and 4:00. Between shows we were encouraged to check out the marketplace set up in one of the conference rooms in the lobby- it was SO amazing! There were all sorts of booths that had everything from corsets to genuine leather, crochet jewelry to carnevale masks! I encourage you to check out their websites, they are all VERY talented designers:
http://michellefennema.deviantart.com/
http://www.irarom-lorenz.com/
Also check out the Carnevale Ventura website! Their next big upcoming event will be their annual Renaissance Faire and Masked Ball February 8-10, 2013:
http://www.carnevaleventura.org/
It was SO much fun to participate in such a wonderful event; definitely a first for Miss VC! =)

With the Miss Simi Girls and Alyssa!

With Princess Alyssa Horton!

Hmm... my crown doesn't quite fit with this outfit...! 

Hangin' with Some Merry Men!

Modeling in the Show!! =)

Me with Amanda, My Teen! <3

With My Designer, Michelle Fennema!

Goofin' Around Before the Final Show... lol <3

Moorpark Country Days Parade!

On October 6, the City of Moorpark has its annual Country Days Street Fair and Parade, sponsored by the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce! This particular parade has special meaning for me: it marks the beginning of the fall season; I grew up attending this parade and street fair; and I've had the honor and pleasure of singing the National Anthem to kick off the parade for four years now! In addition, I've been riding in the parade for many years: first as Miss Teen Moorpark royalty, then as Miss Moorpark 2009, and now as Miss Ventura County 2012! =)
After riding in the parade, I walked around the street fair, talking with the people of the Moorpark community and taking pictures with lots of friendly faces... it was a truly memorable day! <3

Goofin' off before the parade! Hehe =P

With Miss Moorpark '12 and Her Princesses!

VC Royalty Hanging in the SWAT Car!

With Our Wonderful SWAT Officers! =)

Our Entire Pageant Clan! <3 

With Miss Mpk '12 and Miss CA IJM '12!

Riding in the Parade! SO fun!!

With an Admirer <3

With Patti & Amanda! <3 

Ran Into My Dear Friend Brittany Kahle! =D

With the Tooth Fairy!!

With Miss Teen Simi Taylor Thompson <3

Another Fan! I love what I do <3

With the State Farm Neigh-Bear!

Chaparral Middle School Visit!

On October 4, I visited my alma mater (once upon a time), Chaparral Middle School! I was their first guest speaker in their new "Speaker Connection" program which will invite outside organizations to come and speak about what they do for the community and offer words of inspiration and/or advice to the students. I got the opportunity to talk about my entire pageant journey, my year as Miss Ventura County 2012, and how pageantry taught me invaluable life lessons such as how to handle disappointment and loss, how to interview, and how to take the high road in everyday life situations. I had a slideshow and everything, it felt so official!
Overall, it was a very surreal experience going back to my middle school and speaking to the students... before my presentations, I walked around the campus; looking around, I could see my 8th grade self hanging with all of my friends at the cafeteria, running to math class, trying to finish my history homework before next period... and then here I was today, TEN YEARS later, giving life advice to these students... I guess it served as proof that time definitely flies and that I am at that place in my life where I can give very useful advice to young students! An eye-opening experience to say the least! <3

Going Over My Service Projects as Miss VC =)

I was asked to explain my pins! SO fun! =)

Talking About the Life Lessons Learned Through Pageantry! 

Signing Autographs for the Kids! =)

With Principal Delery! <3

With the 7th-8th Graders! GREAT group of kids! =)

CASA of Ventura County Fundraiser Sponsored by The Women of Jewelia

Anthem in the morning, fundraiser in the afternoon!
After I finished up at the Military Appreciation Day, I raced over to the CASA of Ventura County Fundraiser at Cafe Firenza in Moorpark! Sponsored by The Women of Jewelia, the fundraiser included a VERY tasty lunch from the kitchen of Fabio and Jacopo Viviani, wonderful entertainment, delectable desserts from Arleen's Bakery, a very exciting live auction (which featured items from diamonds and signed cookbooks from Fabio and Jacopo to Disneyland passes and Magic Castle tickets!), and the distribution of some terrific door prizes, including Dr.Phil tickets! I sold raffle tickets throughout the fundraiser for a Hawaii vacation and helped draw the door prize winners and distributed their prizes! It was a lot of fun and proof that even though the deeds you may do are small, they are very much appreciated by others =)

Selling Raffle Tickets!

Calling the Winner of the Hawaii Vacation!

Talking About the Pageant During a Brief Interlude =)

Announcing a Dorr Prize Winner! Yay!

With Andrea and Cheryl, Volunteers with CASA of VC! <3 

Military Family Appreciation Day!

On September 30, I had the pleasure of attending and the honor of participating in the Military Family Appreciation Day at the WWII Museum in Camarillo presented by Military-Families.org, Senator Tony Strickland, and Assemblyman Jeff Gorell! I was asked to sing the National Anthem in tribute to the families and to begin the formal program; I felt VERY blessed to have had the opportunity to do so! I also enjoyed getting to meet Senator Tony Strickland, radio personality Scott Alexander with B95.1, and several families whose loved ones were serving our country; it was so inspiring to see such strength and courage, even in the kids whose parents were overseas! The event was a huge success- and for me, it was a reminder of how blessed I am to be an American living in such a wonderful country filled with courageous families and selfless soldiers committed to protecting our freedom <3

Me with Scott Alexander and Senator Tony Strickland!

Singing the Anthem!

Crystal's Kids Foundation Fundraiser!

On September 29, I had the honor and pleasure of modeling and providing entertainment for the 2nd Annual Crystal's Kids Foundation Fundraiser! The event was held at Crystal's family's beautiful estate in Glendora, and the program consisted of dinner, entertainment, a presentation of the growth and progress of the foundation, and a truly fabulous fashion show featuring several local titleholders from the area (including me!) and their incredible collection of evening gowns! It was fun getting to take a break from my operatic training to sing some jazz tunes for the audience; there were some musical kinks, but everyone handled them like professionals, and at the end of the evening Crystal raised some impressive funds for her foundation! So blessed to call Crystal a pageant sister and friend! <3
For more information on the Crystal's Kids Foundation, click here!

Selling Raffle Tickets!

Me with Crystal Before the Fashion Show! =)

Ruben Castro Human Services Center Dedication Ceremony and Open House!

Me with Moorpark Assistant City Manager Hugh Riley!

This past Saturday, I had the honor of singing the National Anthem at the Ruben Castro Human Services Center Dedication Ceremony in Moorpark! The project was the topic of on-again, off-again discussion since 2005; then, in January 2011, the City of Moorpark approved the plans- and the dream became a reality!
Today, the center is open to the public and ready to serve anyone's needs, including food and clothing, employment seminars and assistance, and medical care. The building is named after a man that gave his time and devotion to serving the community of Moorpark- a man that I most definitely admire and strive to be like: Ruben Castro.
For more information on the dedication, I recommend this well-written VCStar article.
Also, go check out the center yourself!
612 Spring Rd.
Moorpark, CA 93021
I felt truly honored to be part of the ceremony that marked the completion of years of hard work and dedication by the Moorpark City Council, the County of Ventura, and the Castro family!

Mayor Janice Parvin Cutting the Ribbon!

Me with the Dedication Statue

Me with the Dedication Entertainment!

Taking a Tour of the Medical Building!