Braces: A True Test of Confidence!

The road to Miss California has not always been a smooth one: in an effort to quickly straighten my pearly whites for the competition, I went and had the old-fashioned metal braces put on my teeth! Being 23 and having braces has proven to be quite tough: it has affected my ability to form some consonants when I sing and speak, and they HURT SO BAD because they are extra tight (to see faster results...)!! Along with all this pain, however, has come growth: having braces has truly tested my strength and inner confidence. The first week I had them I avoided social events and any form of smiling where they might stick out... I was embarrassed to smile... but then I realized: what, really, is so embarrassing about my braces? I have many friends who after several years still have braces, and I don't look at them differently for it... so why should I view myself differently for having them? My beauty doesn't come from whether or not I have metal on my teeth- it comes from my inner awareness and love of who I am; braces will never change that!
That is why I am so thankful for the opportunity to be Miss VC: I have already learned so many valuable life lessons when I least expected to- and I have become much more aware of who I am as a person and how truly beautiful (braces or not!) I am.  <3

P.S. I've gone RED!! It's taking some getting used to- but I LOVE it!! More photos to come!! =)

Moorpark Easter Egg Hunt!

Addressing the Crowd of Antsy Egg Hunters!

Every year since I can remember, the City of Moorpark has put together an annual Easter Egg Hunt in which kids get to participate in collecting eggs and receiving prizes. Today, I got the opportunity to participate in the this year's hunt! I served as the official announcer of the egg hunts; I told people in the crowds which egg hunts were happening when. I also explained the rules to each group of egg hunters and then sent them off into the field to collect as many eggs as their baskets could hold!! I also made announcements if a child got separated from his or her parents- all on my handy dandy portable microphone and amp!
The day's festivities also featured a mini-carnival, where the smell of shaved ice and kettle corn circled around splendidly =) at the mini-carnival, the kids could create crafts, have their faces painted, ride a pony, or walk around a petting zoo! It was a fantastic morning/afternoon filled with Spring egg hunting fun for the entire family!

Olivia and Me in Our Volunteer Outfits! =)

Me with the Cutest Little Girl! She came to the hunt dressed as a ladybug!! =)

Mr. OCHS 2012!

Since 2009, my Alma Mater, Oaks Christian High School, has organized and hosted an annual Mr. OCHS Pageant to celebrate the senior class and to raise money for a charitable cause close to the school. In 2010, I served as a guest judge, and the profits from the evening went to two anticipated mission trips to Uganda and India. This year, I was asked to return once again as a guest judge and to crown the winner!
On April 4, Oaks put on its Fourth Annual Mr. OCHS Pageant, where all of the funds raised throughout the evening were donated to the recovery of Evan Miyashiro, an Oaks student who was in a horrible car accident that required two intense surgeries and an extremely long and vigorous recovery process involving a lot of physical rehabilitation. I unfortunately did not get the opportunity to meet Evan, but I wish him the best and hope the funds raised for him help him in maintaining a healthy recovery.
In the pageant, ten wonderful seniors duked it out for the title, competing in the categories of casual wear, talent, formal wear, and onstage Q&A. ALL of the gentlemen were absolutely fantastic!! I saw everything from ribbon twirling to a K$sha song interpretation to a phenomenal saxophone performance!! As a judge, I can say with confidence that the competition was EXTREMELY tight, with single points marginally separating the contestants' rankings... but at the end of the night, Cole Daly surpassed all and took the prize! Jacob Rush took first runner-up and was voted Mr. Congeniality by his fellow contestants- and each contestant went home with a title! Example titles: Mr. Bond, Mr. Catwalk, Mr. Dance Moves, Mr. Talented... you get the idea! =)  Overall it was a fantastic evening, and I really enjoyed getting to participate in the competition, revisit my Alma Mater, and visit with fellow returning alumni!

Two of my Fellow Judges (both fellow alumni from my graduating class!), Brian Nelson and Kelsey Hall =)

The Mastermind Behind the Evening! Me with OCHS Activities Director Susi Matke =)

Me with Cole Daly, Mr. OCHS 2012!

Moorpark Chamber of Commerce Mixer

Every few months, the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce will come together for a social mixer! This particular mixer was hosted and sponsored by the Moorpark Foundation for the Arts on April 3- so I lent a helping hand by promoting and selling tickets for the newest show at the High Street Arts Center called Harvey. I had a really great time meeting all the wonderful members of the Chamber and getting to know some of the fantastic members on the board for the Moorpark Foundation for the Arts!
And if you're around the neighborhood... come see Harvey! It's playing at the High Street Arts Center for a few more short weeks! Go to this link for showtimes and ticket prices:
http://www.moorparkarts.org/harvey.html

Everyone Mixing it up!

Me with John and Edith Hesketh

Me with the Newly Appointed Director of Operations for the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce Abigail Sichmeller! I am SO excited for her!!  =)

Boys and Girls Club Dinner and Auction

The Boys and Girls Club of Moorpark has been such a wonderful place for the kids of the Moorpark community to participate in fun after-school programs, attend social dances, and play their favorite sports. I have such fond memories playing basketball there and going to "After Dark" dances with all of my friends! I am so happy its programs continue to remain a strong force in the community today- and it is largely thanks to the many contributors, sponsors, and donors that attended the annual Boys and Girls Club Dinner and Auction at the Air Force One Pavilion at the Ronald Reagan Library March 31! Attendees bid on silent auction baskets and purchased prizes during the live auction, and all of the funds went directly to the Boys and Girls Club of Moorpark. I loaned my volunteer services selling raffle tickets for the brand new iPad and displaying prizes during the live auction; I got to channel Vanna White! It was a wonderful evening that I was so happy to share with Miss Teen Moorpark, Mr. Moorpark, and several members of the Miss/Teen Moorpark court!

Me with My Fellow Community Titleholders! =)

Helping Out with the Live Auction

Me Trying on Shaq's Shoe- he's a size 23!! WOW!!

A Close-Up of Lexi and Me =)

Me Babysitting Scout, the adorable German Shepherd/Retriever mix that was sold during the live auction!

Me with the Pure-Bred Golden Retriever; this little beauty went for $2,000!

Such wonderful ladies; I had such a blast volunteering with them! =)

Miss Southland / Santa Monica Pageant

I thought I had already written about the Miss Southland / Santa Monica Ppageant- but when I viewed my blog, it was not there! Oops! So here it is now:
I love that I get the opportunity to attend other local pageants in my area! It allows me the chance to get to know my fellow local titleholders a little bit more while watching a lady (or in his case, two ladies) win their titles. On March 11, the Miss Southland / Santa Monica Pageant granted two more women the exciting opportunity to compete in Fresno for the title of Miss California 2012! It was a fierce competition: with over 20 ladies vying for the open titles, the judges had very difficult decisions to make... at the end of the evening, Carly Valdez was crowned Miss Southland, and Courtney Lee was crowned Miss Santa Monica! Congratulations, ladies!! Can't wait to see you at State! =)

Me with Miss San Fernando Valley 2012, Jacey Sisneros

Goofing off with Miss Tustin 2012 Keila Halili- haha! =)

My Teen (Amanda Ford) and Me! I love her =)

My Teen and "Adopted Teen," Miss Culver City OT Olivia Sichmeller =)

The beautiful winners with Miss CA Noelle Freeman!

Patti Reuter: my saving grace- and best chaperone ever! =)

Girl Scout Fashion Show

On March 24, I had the honor of volunteering and singing the National Anthem at the Girl Scout Vintage Fashion Show at the High Street Theatre in Moorpark! The fashion show celebrated the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts and benefited the Moorpark City Library. Girls scouts and leaders from troops throughout the community of Moorpark modeled vintage girl scout uniforms for the audience; it was fascinating to see all of the different fashions of the uniform that changed and shifted alongside American history! I had a fabulous time helping out with the silent auction and visiting with the girl scouts with two of my esteemed community titleholders: Miss Moorpark 2011 Allie Woerner and Miss Teen Moorpark 2011 Lexi DiCicco! Overall it was a successful fundraiser and a very fun day! =)

Allie, Lexi and Me Helping with the Silent Auction =) 

Me Next to One of the Fashion Show Signs!

Me with Girl Scout Brooke Cusick, she's wearing a 1920s uniform!

Lexi and Me Goofing Off with a Soon-to-Be Girl Scout! She was so cute! =)

Allie took some pictures of me next to the Theatre after the show, I thought I'd share one of my favorites =)