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 =]

This free digital slideshow generated with Smilebox

Camp Oakhurst 2011

This free picture slideshow personalized with Smilebox

It's one of my favorite times of year again! I just returned from Conejo Valley YMCA Camp Oakhurst Resident Camp. This year was unique, knowing that it could possibly be our last program year at Camp Oakhurst, the place we have called home for the last then years. This year I worked with the LIT staff again, which is incredibly rewarding. We immersed ourselves quickly into a fun filled week. One of my favorite parts about camp is our Rag/ Leather Program. Since working with the LITs, I currently only spend the week counseling with them which because of age they participate in the Rag Program. For over 96 years, the YMCA Rag/Leather Program has been an effective tool in promoting one on one counseling and personal growth. The program is designed to help people take a closer look at themselves in relationship to their own strengths and weaknesses, religious beliefs and relationships that surround them. It provides an opportunity to promote positive growth. YMCA's use the Rag / Leather Program as a tool to encourage quality time between staff and members, counselors and campers. Growth in spirit, mind and body is incorporated into the program. This program also follows in line with what YMCA's strive to accomplish through their mission. Each Rag and Leather has a specific challenge and is accompanied by a personal goal developed by the individual. Participation in the program is enhanced by the use of tradition, resource materials and one-on-one sharing sessions. Through the generosity of the C.J., Carrie D. and R. Howard Walker Foundation training in and facilitation of the YMCA Rag/Leather Program in the U.S. has been made possible. I think the Rag Program is one of the most rewarding and powerful programs that I have been able to witness change people's lives. It's neat to think how a simple piece of fabric can have so much meaning. I currently have my Red Rag which promotes the goal of : sacrifice or time, talent, and personal will. I have had this goal for the last five years. Time and talent come easy to most including myself, but it is the sacrifice of personal will that becomes so hard. I strive everyday to sacrifice that personal will of mine, but in the process of doing so it's a challenge and a journey. My Red Rag and I have a love/hate relationship.
This year's LIT (Leaders In Training) group, were rock stars. Our returners made a huge impact with their growth and maturity over the last year. Our first years, were rock stars that jumped head first into the program. Together them were great leaders within the group and for the rest of the camp. They will all be amazing counselors and I am honored that I got to work with them again. The activities we engaged in during the wee were touch. They encouraged and pushed them to really be honest, open, and positive. We had discussions about the people we were and who we wanted to be, tough personal life situations were shared, and most importantly through all of this they built friendships and bonds that were incredible.I enjoy this week so much because I have had the chance to work with all the age groups in camp. It's neat to watch the campers grow in one week. Even though I worked with the LITs, I still had the chance to get to know the other campers and that's always fun. Week activities included; campfires, chapels, swimming, archery, mountain bikes, ropes courses, lip sync, synchronized swimming, boat races, hikes, wood work, arts and crafts, dress up days, dances, and most importantly character and group building activities.  I was sad to end the week, but just as us volunteers like to say, our calendar year is August to August. I am already counting down the days til Resident Camp 2012!

Visit to Lake Sequoia

Make your own free slideshow

It was an early morning as I traveled to Bakersfield to meet Dave Edler, Intermediate Camp Director for Camp Oakhurst. We then traveled to Lake Sequoia to meet with the camp director of the property. We were accompanied by Jessica Ramos, Andy Hughes, and Jake King who are all Oakhurst Resident Camp Volunteers. The mission of our day was to tour Lake Sequioa facility in hopes it could be a potential home for our location change for our resident camp program. Evan, Lake Sequoia Camp Director, spent the day giving us a tour of acitivty areas and facilities. He was very helpful answering all of our questions and hearing our ideas about funding in order to give lots of TLC to this beautiful camp. As a volunteer team, we are working to get large donors to help us with the re vamp and TLC we want to give to this camp to make it the best camp home for our program.Thank you Evan for spending the day with us! We see lots of potential in the camp and are keeping our fingers crossed to call it home!

Staff Volunteer Training for Camp Oakhurst 2011

This past Friday, the volunteer staff met at The Shima household to embark on a weekend full of camp training. We departed from the Shima's and headed over to In n Out for a group dinner. Then it was off for a weekend campout in Santa Paula .Our Resident Camp Oakhurst includes a volunteer staff of roughly 70 individuals. All of these volunteers have grown up in the program and are now adults giving back passionately. I am very proud of the volunteer staff and their efforts to continue making our Resident Camp the best around. Thank you to Lisa and Chris Soury's family for opening up their beautiful ranch for our training.Our staff was able to camp out and enjoy the beautiful outdoor ranch. During the weekend, the volunteers share ideas for new activities, safety procedures, go ove scheduling, and learn how to handle any "tough" topics or situations that may arise with campers.The staff even participated in a scavenger hunt that allowed them to travel by car to various cities to complete tasks. Our volunteers are required to participate in training, as well as be certified in both CPR and First Aid. Take a look at the funfilled weekend!

Personalize your own picture collage

2nd Annual Luggage of Love Car Show

I was very excited to help with the Second Annual Luggage of Love Car Show. I joined Dedria (founder of Luggage of Love), Nia Sanchez (Miss Hollywood USA), and Dedria's family and friends for an exciting and fun filled day. I met Dedria, the evening before and helped with the set up, organization, and wrapping of silent auction gifts. It was a late night and then a very early morning to start the festivities. I was able to assit with check in and selling raffle tickets. I also want to extend a thank you to Noah's Bagels of Camarillo for supplying delicious donuts the morning of the show! Best friend, Dedria Brunett, is the founder of Luggage of Love and has done amazing things with her organization.I am very proud of Dedria and the difference she is making one suit case at a time. Thank you, Dedria, for allowing me to help you with your fundraiser. It was a huge success and I commend you for the 75 or so car entries that you were able to recruit for your second show. That is a huge accomplishment and I am excited to see this fundraiser grow over the years.

Create a digital collage





12th Annual Wheels and Waves Car Show in Santa Barbara

This free digital collage personalized with Smilebox

Today I joined friend, Dedria Brunett, in a trip up to Santa Barbara. With her upcoming car show, we were on a mission to spread the word and pass out as many fliers as possible. It was such a beautiful day, we not only got lots of work done, but were able to visit with lots of neat vendors and car show participants. It's always nice to spread the word about a great organization while spending time with a good friend. Best of Luck to Dedria with her upcoming car show!

California International Pageant Workshop

This weekend I traveled to Temecula with good friend Dedria Brunett, for the California International Pageant Workshop. It is always such a nice treat to visit with Eddie Peterson, executive Director, and Dennis Cook, executive producer. They covered all the information in regards to pageant weekend and what to expect. It was nice to also visit with returning delegates and to meet new delegates. It was especially nice to sit and chat with Brittany Wagner, Miss Ca Int'l 2011, about her year. We competed last year together and it was a privilege to get to know her. It's been an exciting experience to follow her journey this year and hear about the difference she is making with the American Diabetes Association. We wish her the best of luck at Nationals! I want to also extend a huge thank you to Lowana Crawford with the Tri Valley Pageant and Red Carpet Ready, for opening up their store and office to host all of us for the event!