When someone says “beauty pageant,” it often evokes mental images of bikini contests, backstage hair pulling, and fumbled attempts at solving world peace.
But this year’s Miss California competition, which took place in Fresno, proved otherwise.
Two out of the top five contestants, as well as Miss Congeniality, are current UCLA students.
Contestants, who are vying for a $10,000 scholarship as well as the title of Miss California and the chance to move on to the Miss America Pageant, are judged on qualities such as poise, grace, communication skills and confidence.
Amy Yetasook, a contestant who is currently completing her post-baccalaureate coursework through the UCLA Extension program, says that the Miss California Organization, which runs the Miss California Pageant, among other competitions, has changed the course of her entire life.
“Without the Miss California Organization, I don’t think I would be half the woman I am today,” Yetasook said.
Yetasook was the third runner-up in the competition overall after being crowned Miss Southwest California last November. She also received recognition for her success in the preliminary rounds, including the evening wear and talent portions, taking home over $3,000 in scholarship money.
Though Yetasook completed her undergraduate degree at USC in cello performance, she currently attends extension classes through UCLA and does clinical research with a cardiothoracic surgeon.
But without beauty pageant scholarship money, she said she would not be able to fulfill her dream of obtaining her medical degree.
“I would never have been able to become a doctor without the scholarship money. The career change (from a classical cellist to a medical student) would not have been possible without it. I owe it all to (Miss California),” Yetasook said.
Jennifer Lee, a third-year English and communication studies student, was the fourth runner-up in the competition.
She said that the most common misconception about the pageant is that it really is just a “beauty contest.”
“Most people say, “˜Well, beauty contest, the girls in there are all stupid and superficial.’ A lot of people are hung up on the swimsuit portion, but honestly, swimsuit only counts for 15 percent of the total score, and it’s not in any way degrading for girls. It shows how confident you are with your body and fit you are,” Lee said.
Lee, who was crowned Miss Yosemite Valley in January of this year, works for the Daily Bruin as a copy deputy and was a receptionist for a law office.
Her volunteer work includes being the recruitment chair for her sorority, Chi Omega, humanities tutoring, and being a teaching assistant starting this spring. She plans to become a news anchor.
Along with placing as the fourth runner-up overall, Lee was awarded the Bernie Rose Outstanding Musician Award.
Lee said that being a student at UCLA has helped her with many aspects of the competition.
“I think (as) a UCLA student, I have a lot of things going on for me. Being very well-rounded is a quality that the judges looked for, and … most UCLA students are very well-rounded,” Lee said.
Bob Arnhym, the president and chief executive officer of the Miss California Organization, agreed that competitors need much more than just a pretty face to advance in the competition.
“We view it as a personal development program as well as a scholarship program. We emphasize physical fitness, communication skills, grooming, healthy eating habits and community service. These are all elements that we think strengthen the individuals who participate in the program,” Arnhym said.
Arnhym said that though the stereotype of a Miss America contest winner might be a ditzy beauty queen, the pageant’s sole prizes are the title of Miss California and scholarship money.
“Last year we gave out $353,000 in cash scholarships. We really are a program for college students,” Arnhym said.
Lee said that though movies such as “Miss Congeniality” and “Little Miss Sunshine” do reveal some aspects of the pageant circuit, they incorrectly portray contestants as malicious, unintelligent girls who only have their looks to offer.
“All the girls I met were incredibly intelligent, incredibly well-spoken, and they were all there for a good reason. None of them were there just to perpetuate the stereotype of being in a pageant,” Lee said.
Brieanna Harvey, who was voted Miss Congeniality in a secret ballot by the rest of the contestants, did not return phone calls.
Miss Congeniality is an award given to the girl who is the most likable and friendly during the competition.