Meet the Miss Hollywood Miss Southland 2008 Contestants
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contestant #1 melissa daugherty age 21, folsom |
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| Talent: Public Speech, Nelson Mandela 1994 Inaugural Speech | Fun Facts… |
| Senior,
Loyola Marymount University Political Science major |
• Leader of the LMU Alternative Break program on Farm Workers' Rights • Has backpacked through Ecuador and Ireland • Was an intern in California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's office • Enjoys white water rafting and ocean kayaking |
| Platform: Awareness and Participation in the Cause to Cure Autism | |
| "I have found a new passion in being an advocate for children with autism. There is a huge fight going on...to find a reason and cure for autism." | |
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contestant #2 leah wickstrom age 20, los angeles |
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| Talent: Country Vocal, "It Matters To Me" | Fun Facts… |
| Junior,
University of Southern California Industrial and Systems Engineering major |
• USC Trustee Scholar • Advanced open water scuba diver • Survived a boat wreck in the Straits of Juan de Fuca • Research assistant in USC Viterbi School of Engineering |
| Platform: The Nucelar Option-Addressing America's Energy Needs | |
| "...Nuclear plants provide both energy security and diversity of supply for the United States, thus reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and correspondingly reducing our dependence on imported oil." | |
| contestant #3 krystal sewell age 22, yorba linda |
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| Talent: Jazz Dance, "Life Is Just A Bowl Of Cherries" | Fun Facts… |
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Graduate,
California State University - Fullerton |
• Competitive dancer for the past 15 years, winning awards as a team member and soloist in regional and national competitions • Worked as a math tutor and dance instructor • Currently employed as a Human Resource Assistant and Office Administrator • Volunteers with American Diabetes Association |
| Platform: Diabetes Awareness | |
| "Because I have witnessed what this disease does to a person physically and the impact it has on their morale, I have spent several hours researching this disease and educating myself." | |
| contestant #4 jackie geist age 22, vacaville |
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Talent: Ballet en Pointe, Medley from "The Nutcracker" |
Fun Facts… |
Sophomore,
California State University - Sacramento |
• Top 5 finalist in Solano College speech tournament • Accepted to Rock School of Pennsylvania Ballet, The Kirov Academy, Joffrey Ballet and Oregon Ballet Theater • Mentor to young students at Vacaville Ballet Theater • Drinks at least one Red Bull a day! |
| Platform: Saving For The Future | |
| "The idea of living for today and forgetting the promise of tomorrow is a call for the destruction of a strong America. Our youth must be educated about the usage of credit and planning for their tomorrow through sound savings and investment programs." | |
| contestant #5 sharanya mukhopadhyay age 20, yorba linda |
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| Talent: Indian Classical Dance, "Avatar" | Fun Facts… |
| Senior,
UCLA World Arts and Culture major |
• Speaks 3 different languages • Has raised $100,000 for charitable organizations • Recipient of Los Angeles Treasures scholarship and Princess Grace award • Youngest US citizen to perform at Dover Lane conference
in India |
| Platform: Bringing Health and Wellness to the Elderly and Children | |
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"I decided to focus in promoting health and wellness to the aged, who live as one of the poorest and largely oppressed groups in society and young children who form the foundation fabric of the future." |
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| contestant #6 jenna harvey age 21, davis |
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Talent: Piano, Lecuona: Malagueña |
Fun Facts… |
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Junior, University of California - Davis |
• Pianist for UCD Chamber Ensemble • Owns and manages her own piano instruction business • Served as a missionary in Romania • Employed professionally as a pianist at age 13 |
| Platform: Education Through Music | |
| "When you validate the imagination of a child something amazing happens. Low self esteem disappears, and collaboration builds team work." | |
| contestant #7 laurajean berger age 18, glendale |
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| Talent: Piano, Chopin: Revolutionary Etude "Fall Of Warsaw" (10-12) | Fun Facts… |
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Freshman, Chapman University |
• Can sing in six languages • Graduated 3rd in high school class • Keynote speaker for JrNYLC leadership conference in Washington, DC • Competed in classical voice, non-classical voice
and classical instrumental categories in Los Angeles Music Center's Spotlight
Awards |
| Platform: Be a PART: Politically Active, Responsible Teen | |
| "Not only do teens need to be aware of what they believe in, but they also need to be responsible in how they voice their opinions. Knowing the First Amendment is wonderful; however, the law needs to be known as well to be sure that First Amendment rights are exercised within their context." | |
| contestant #8 jessica taylor age 22, irvine |
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| Talent: Tap Dance, "Sing, Sing, Sing" | Fun Facts… |
| Senior, Saddleback
College Musical Theater and Political Science major |
• Board member of Orange County Red Ribbon Coalition • Hosted half-time college radio show • Arts editor of college newspaper • Scholarship recipient to study abroad in Spain |
| Platform: Drug & Alcohol Awareness and Education Among Youths & Teens | |
| "We need to educate our youth to understand the effects of drugs and alcohol, but for those who have already experienced what harmful effects can be caused by leading a drug and alchol-lead life, we need to provide a positive environment for them to cope." | |
| contestant #9 laurette williams age 21, north hills |
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| Talent: Comedic Monologue | Fun Facts… |
2006 certificate
recipient, New York Film Academy |
• Recipient of Pioneer Players Theater Arts and Kiwanis Noon Club scholarships • Created and ran a spring break camp for underprivileged youths • Participated in a drama outreach mission trip to Ecuador • Created and participated in a leadership program for a high school youth group |
| Platform: Education and Prevention of School Shootings | |
| "Our media covers some aspects of school shootings, but just telling people the facts is not enough. People need to be educated on the cause and the possible resolutions to this problem." | |
| contestant #10 stephanie schutt age 22, san jose |
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| Talent: Tap Dance, "Billy-A-Dic" from "For The Boys" | Fun Facts… |
| Senior, Santa
Clara University Marketing major |
• Designed and implemented a marketing program for Applebee's catering service • Recorded over 500 hours of community service in high school • Went on an immersion trip to Tijuana, Mexico to build schools • Recently took up golf and discovered she's a "natural"
at it! |
| Platform: Improving Opportunities for Persons with Special Needs | |
| "Working with special needs individuals empowers me in ways I might never have known. They are wonderfully fun, carefree people, and when you take into consideration all of the obstacles they have to overcome in life and how graciously they handle it...it makes my life seem like a piece of cake!" | |
| contestant #11 crystal backoff age 23, poway |
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| Talent: Musical Theater Vocal, "Home" | Fun Facts… |
Junior,
University of California - Davis |
• Member of Phi Theta Kappa and Alpha Gamma Sigma honor societies • Received Kim Warner Memorial award for outstanding academic achievement, character, humor and vocal ability • Lost 100 pounds over the past 5 years • Owns a Chihuahua-Terrier named Cheeto! |
| Platform: Reduce The Epidemic: Fight Childhood Obesity | |
| "In addition to educating the youth and my community, I strongly feel it is my social responsibility to address local, state and national policy makers in order to implement positive change that will better serve the health and well-being of our children." | |
| contestant #12 tammara koehler age 23, seal beach |
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| Talent: Pop Vocal, "Beautiful Disaster" | Fun Facts… |
| Graduate student,
Chapman University pursuing Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership and graduate certificate in Human Resources |
• Youngest person admitted to the Graduate program at Chapman University • Has met Paul McCartney and Phil Collins • Executive Baord Member of the Support Our Troops organization • Goodwill Ambassador for the city of Seal Beach |
| Platform: Support Our Troops | |
| "My mission is to convey the message of support by enabling people to set aside their views about war and re-focus their attention on the men and women of the Armed Forces serving and protecting our country." | |
| contestant #13 gabrielle pearson age 18, garden grove |
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| Talent: Jazz Dance, "The Way You Make Me Feel" | Fun Facts… |
| Freshman, California State University - Fullerton |
• Member of Future Business Leaders of America and Youth In Government in high school • Interviewed by Ryan Seacrest for "American Idol" • Volunteer with the Disney Half-Marathon • Voted "best hair" by her high school graduating
class! |
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Platform: Preventing Type II Diabetes with the American Diabetes Association |
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| "Parents must be educated on how to monitor their children's dietary habits. This includes inhibiting them from habitual over-eating, the consumption of unhealthy foods and limited exercise." | |
| contestant #14 saundra combs age 19, lakeport |
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| Talent: Vocal, "I Am Changing" from "Dreamgirls" | Fun Facts… |
| Sophomore, University of San Diego |
• Performed at the Vatican with the USD Choral Singers • Was an assistant to magician Lance Burton in Las Veags • 3 time recipient of the Iron-Man Scholar Athlete award • Recipient of a 4-year music scholarship to the
University of San Diego |
| Platform: Preventing Childhood Obesity - "Let's Get Physical" | |
| "I have
created a prototype program: 'Let's Get Physical - Big Champ, Little Champ.'
This program enlists college students and athletes to interact with primary
school children to encourage fitness, healthy choices and a life long routine
of fitness. " |
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| contestant #15 melissa youssef age 19, newport coast |
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| Talent: Classical Vocal, "Habañera" from "Carmen" | Fun Facts… |
| Sophomore,
Westmont College Double major in Political Science and Philosophy |
• Has met and interviewed Rudy Giuliani, Barack Obama and Sen. Robert Byrd • High school valedictorian • General manager of college radio station • Published in "American Congressional Library: Gifted" and "Anthology of Poetry by Young Americans" |
| Platform: Empowering Youth Through Peer Counseling | |
| "Peer mentoring teaches young people the skills needed to combat the impact of negative peer pressure, while also giving the opportunity for others to develop leadership skills in a safe and uplifting environment." | |
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contestant #16 lindsay nault age 21, orange |
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| Talent: Vocal, "Half A Moment" from "Jeeves" | Fun Facts… |
| Junior,
Chapman University Broadcast Journalism major |
• Intern at KDOC's "Daybreak OC" • Awarded a Brigadier General's coin for service to the troops • Smart Choices instructor for Camp Fire USA • Lead actress in musicals, including "The Music Man " and "Charlie Brown" |
| Platform: Camp Fire USA | |
| "The mission of this organization is to build caring, confident youth and future leaders. They provide after school programs for children of all ages, ethnicities, religions, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation or other aspect of diversity." | |
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