Miss California International 2012

What a unique pageant year! Peterson Productions announced that this would be their final year directing and producing the California State Pageant. Although, as a participant for the last 4 years, I found this news extremely sad, I was very anxious to hear that both Dennis Cooke and Eddie Peterson had great things ahead for them. Four years ago when I joined the International system, community service was not anything new for me. I have been involved in YMCA programs as a volunteer for 8 years. I was skeptical of why I would ever need a crown to do volunteer work. I was fortunate to experience as Miss Ventura County Int'l 2009, the great amount of exposure I was able to gain for YMCA programs and fundraising while being involved with the International Pageant.
This year, I did not plan to compete in the pageant, and at the last minute jumped in to be apart of the finale. Now that the pageant weekend has come to a close, I am so glad that I did.
I was very proud of my accomplishments during the weekend; Top 5 (4th runner up), Miss Congeniality, and  Josephine G Cook Miss California Int'l Community Service Award. Most importantly, I was more proud of what I put into the experience and honored what I gained from it. I met some incredible women this year and made sure to stay true to who I was. I was also flattered by the flooding of messages, phone calls, and emails I received from fellow contestant, staff, pageant judges, pageant directors, family, friends, and even complete strangers that included some of the kindest and reassuring words.
 Alycia Darby and Brooke Conlin were two of the most supportive and honest people I was able to create new freindships with over the weekend. They both joined me in making Top 5 and we all agreed that it was most honoring to be in Top 5 among women like eachother who were so honest in what they did. Among the other contestants, I had a great opportunity to meet and get to know Jr. Miss, Teen, fellow Miss, and Mrs. Contestants. I can't begin to tell you between all 62 contestant how much talents, passion, and beauty was in one room. Congratulations to the 2012 California International Queens.
Mrs. Melissa Dacy Lockerman, is one women who made me extremely proud. Never having done pageant before, she let me talk her into competing. She not only was recognized for her community service efforts, but was 1st runner up. What a huge accomplishment, I am so very proud!
I may of not walked away with a title and a crown, but that's not what's most important to me. I was able to walk away with much more; new friendships, a new outlook, a monetary award to be donated back to YMCA programs, and most importantly so many new life lessons.
 I want to thank the International Pageant System and especially Peterson Productions for their fantastic support and positive encouragement over the years. Also, I want to thank Gini Watterson for everything she has done to help make this pageant another wonderful experience!
This is not the last you have seen of me. I will continue with my passion and my efforts with the YMCA and community. They are only bound to continue to grow =]

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