By Serena Carbonati
Originally published in the Orange County Register January 2000
The Miss Placentia Program is a great way for young women to follow their dreams through their education. When a person thinks of a pageant, they think of a beauty contest. When I first heard of the Miss Placentia Pageant, I said, “no way.” I thought it wasn’t for me at all. Especially since I couldn’t picture myself, a five-foot tall girl with short brown hair as Miss Placentia. Then my mind began to ponder many things. So I went to the meeting at school, and to my astonishment this wasn’t a beauty pageant. It really wasn’t a pageant at all. It turns out to be a highly respected scholarship program for females 17-24. The way movies and other media depict pageants is entirely different from the Miss Placentia Program. After deciding that this was something I was interested in, I thought I would take my mom and go to orientation. What a different experience for me, to be sitting in a nice room with about 30 other girls and their parents all dressed up and sophisticated looking. “Whoa, I don’t belong here. Hurry, just sneak out and no one will notice” was exactly what was going through my head. But before I could slither out, the meeting began and I was stuck. To make a long story short, they turned my negative approach all the way around completely, and I couldn’t wait until my audition. Audition? I didn’t know you had to try out to be in a pageant. I thought just anyone could be in it. That’s not the case because if everyone was in it that wanted to, the show would be 10 hours long. There were 30 girls that all wanted one thing: to be given the great opportunity to participate in this event. When the day of my audition came, I was so nervous, anxious, and excited, all at the same time. The time approached quickly, and I was up for my interview and talent audition in front of six judges. What a day. It was a great experience just to go through the audition. I told myself that if I didn’t make it, I would still feel accomplished. As it turned out, I did make it, along with 14 other girls. The majority of the girls are high school seniors, but the others are around 19 and 20. They all are outgoing and fun to be around.
The pageant is based on interview, swimsuit, eveningwear, and talent. The majority is based on interview and talent. Since dance is my only forte, that is going to be my talent. I will be performing to “All Fired Up,” a great rock and roll song to hopefully get the judges’ feet tapping. I’m not too thrilled to put on a swimsuit in front of a thousand people but it only counts for 15 percent of the total score. The interview is with six judges that each contestant has never seen before and counts for 30 percent of the total score. The interview is almost like a business interview. Flawless grooming is key to a high score. The questions range from current events to long-term plans. The experience I’m receiving in interview skills, grooming and confidence is something I will use for the rest of my life...
So far, the pageant has taken up a lot of my time, especially on the weekends, including every Saturday bright and early until the afternoon. We have talent rehearsals and workshops. A few weeks ago we had a past Miss Placentia come in with her physical trainer husband and speak to us about fitness and eating properly. They’re trying to get us ready for the swimsuit competition. Just last weekend the director of Mary Kay came in and did our makeup and taught us all proper ways to care for our skin and what types of products we should use to bring out the best in us. Every weekend I learn something new, and at the same time I’m forming new friendships and having a blast.
To be in the pageant each girl has to have a sponsor. If you don’t find your own, the program will give you one. In my case my boss is sponsoring me. It just so happens that my boss is a former Miss Placentia, so she was a little excited to know that I was in the pageant and was more than happy to pay the $200 fee.
You may be wondering just exactly what does Miss Placentia win. Since it’s a scholarship program, it would go without saying that she wins scholarship money. Last year the allotted amount was $2000. I do not know the exact amount this year but I know it’s more than $2000.
The experience I’m receiving in interview skills, grooming and confidence is something I will use for the rest of my life and I wouldn’t have received it if I wasn’t participating in this program. The Miss Placentia Program is a great way for young women to follow their dreams through their education. The pageant is just around the corner and I cannot wait. I am so excited to be a part of something so meaningful.