~Sharon Kong, Placentia’s Outstanding Teen 2008
First, the training, and the networking that one gains from the moment of orientation, even before the crowning, is tremendous. Not only are you surrounded by young women with strong hopes and aspirations as you have, you learn much about yourself. You are put in a position in which you are preparing to represent the city of Placentia to the best of your ability. I hope this wonderful opportunity with be available in the years to come following my year of service.
Mock interviews are absolutely amazing, and I can very much say that all the girls in this program are ready for any professional interview that they undergo. Not only that, one's people skills are improved tremendously. During various events, one does not only bond intimately with the other young ladies participating, but one also must branch out into the community through city events as well as sponsor participation within the community.
Additionally, this program has allowed me to introduce my platform to various people who otherwise would never have been exposed to it. My platform, Rachel's Challenge, is a program in which high school students around the nation strive to start a chain reaction of compassion. This was started in memory of Rachel Scott, the first victim of the Columbine High School Tragedy. This message of compassion is one that I hold very dear to my heart; I am a founding member of this particular club on my high school campus, and I take this message with me. I hope all that I have said and done to introduce this program has been taken to heart, as a similar such tragedy nearly stuck my high school. With this thought in mind, I strive even more to participate in Rachel's Challenge.Not only do myself and Miss Placentia, Julianne James, support our own perspective platforms, but we are consistently present at city events. If I had never become involved with the Miss Placentia Program, I highly doubt I would be as involved with community as deeply as I am now.
The members of the Miss Placentia Committee have become my second family throughout this year. I see them through various city events (i.e. the Easter Eggcitement, Concerts in the Park, etc.), I saw them throughout my preparation for Miss California's Outstanding Teen. I am honored to say that at the state pageant this year, I was named 3rd Runner-up to Miss California's Outstanding Teen, thus putting me on the state's court. I find this to be a high honor as I am representing you, the City of Placentia. Along with Jordan Krinke's state win in 2007, I believe Placentia has much to be proud of through this program.
The Miss America's Outstanding Teen Program, namely the Miss Placentia Program, has been incredible to me and to the other contestants. All of us can vouch for how amazing this program is and how much it will aid us in our later life, as well as prepare us. I have been brought into a whole new world, and I hope this wonderful opportunity will be available in the years to come following my year of service.