Meet the Miss Hollywood Miss Southland 2009 Contestants
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contestant #1 jodie westerman age 21, palmdale |
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| Talent: Ballet en Pointe, "Macavity" from Cats | Fun Facts… |
| Senior,
UCLA Political Science major |
• First female California state debate team champion • Danced at White House Tree Lighting ceremony for President Clinton • Recently appointed personal assistant to Mayor R. Rex Parris of Lancaster • Was once dragged off the stage by a dog while singing "Tomorrow" as Annie |
| Platform: The Write Idea Project: Let Your Voice Be Heard! | |
| "The Write Idea Project was originally formatted to pose thought-provoking questions to which registered members might reflect independently or collaboratively. The response was astounding, prompting hundreds of students from varying cities, states and walks of life to share their vision of the world" | |
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contestant #2 jennifer kohlenberger age 23, orange |
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| Talent: Classical Piano, "Solfeggietto" | Fun Facts… |
| 2008 graduate, University of California - Santa Barbara, B.A. Communications, Minor in Music |
• First place at 11 figure skating competitions • Sigma Alpha Pi National Society of Leadership and Success • Owned a pet axolotl • Team interpreter at the Sertoma Fantasy Baseball Camp for Deaf Children |
| Platform: Building and Maintaining Healthy Body Image and Self-Esteem | |
| "On average, an American will see 10,000 images per year, pf a "beautiful" body type that is attainable by only 2% of the population. ...It is imperative that as consumers of these media messages, we understand the difference between a realistic body image and those that besiege us." | |
| contestant #3 kovena avila age 20, solvang |
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| Talent: Pop Vocal, "There You Are" | Fun Facts… |
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Sophomore, Santa Barbara City College |
• Conceived and produced a talent benefit for single parent students and orphans in Rwanda • First generation college student who lived in a trailer with no running water for 4 years • President of American Red Cross Club, whose services saved the lives of over 300 children • Teaches life choices classes through the Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse |
| Platform: College Education for Troubled Teens | |
| "A person's good or bad past is not what is important. What matters is a person's present and future. I have a troubled past that I have conquered and I am proud to be a role model. I am a healthy risk for the Miss America Organization. I am very passionate about the lives of troubled teens and if I could do it, they can accomplish their own successes too." | |
| contestant #4 megan lyne age 23, manhattan beach |
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Talent: Operatic Vocal, "Czardas" from Die Fledermaus |
Fun Facts… |
Graduate Student, Cole Conservatory, California State University-Long Beach, Masters in Music, Opera |
• Performed at Carnegie Hall in New York • Received $25,000 VH1 Save The Music grant for inner city school children • Deans List each semester at Carthage College • National Association of Teachers of Singing finalist for 5 years |
| Platform: Arts For All! | |
| "The arts have taught me how to combine practice and patience with creativity. In addition, experience in the arts teaches young people how to focus upon being individual performers as well as members of a team. The arts are a tremendous unifying force for all people and play a critical role in the development of the human spirit." | |
| contestant #5 brittney henry age 21, sacramento |
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| Talent: Fiddle, "Orange Blossom Special Medley" | Fun Facts… |
| Senior,
California State University - Sacramento Double major: Intercultural/International Communications and Organizational Communications |
• 1 of 4 students chosen to sit on student review board • Built 7 homes in 7 days with Habitat for Humanity • Produced, directed and choreographed Mr. Puyallup pageant to benefit community programs • Symphony Most Inspirational Award |
| Platform: Promoting Higher Education for Low Income Families | |
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"...I will be living testimony to the fact that children from low-income families can make a better life for themselves through higher education. I plan to share, through speaking at schools, my own personal story of getting to college from a low-income family and also as a first generation college student to encourage other young men and women like myself to strive for academic achievement." |
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| contestant #6 devorah allen age 19, chino hills |
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Talent: Vocal and Piano, "Believer" by Christina Milian |
Fun Facts… |
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Sophomore, Citrus College |
• Played piano fro 13 years. Currently starting to compose her own music and write her own lyrics •Participated in Disney College Program internship • Attended Ontario Christian Military Academy where she achieved rank of Staff Sergeant • Organized and performed in various concerts as Vice President of Choral Program at Ayala High School |
| Platform: Education of our Youth and Reinstatement of Extra-Curricular Activities in Schools | |
| "I would like to take Obama's poise and dedication and instill his fire and determination in the lives of our children...As a nation, we need to come together and truly leave no child behind." | |
| contestant #7 summer loftis age 23, tulare |
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| Talent: Jazz Dance, "Let's Get Loud by Jennifer Lopez | Fun Facts… |
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2007 graduate, Vanguard University |
• Attended Oxford University in England and traveled throughout Italy, France and Great Britain • Children's Miracle Network helped save her life in 1990 when she was a patient at Valley Children's Hospital in Fresno • Plays Cinderella and Snow White at Disneyland and performed in Disney's "Enchanted" stage show at the El Capitan Theater in Hollywood • Make-A-Wish grantor |
| Platform: Encouraging CHildren with Serious and Life-Threatening Illnesses | |
| "Picture white walls of a hospital with a child connected to monitors and tubes. They are suffering not only in body, but in spirit....I strongly believe that interacting with these youngsters causes them to fight harder - giving them reason to dream, and make those dreams come true." | |
| contestant #8 kristen cavinder age 20, orange |
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| Talent: Classical Ballet en pointe, "Kitri" | Fun Facts… |
| Junior, University of Southern California Neuroscience (Pre-Med) major |
• High school valedictorian and ASB President • Danced in Disney's "Electrical Parade" and "Parade of Dreams" • Attended 6 week summer intensive ballet program with American ballet Theatre in New York • Organized school-wide fundraiser to raise money for a school devastated by Hurricane Katrina |
| Platform: GEL: Growing Exceptional Ladies | |
| "My platform is a mentoring program which I started 2 years ago at my former middle school and high school....The mentors provide a safe outlet for the girls to discover their purpose, passions and potential. In the past two years, participants have positively changed their behaviors, gained a sense of tenacity to achieve their goals, and have developed lasting relationships with their mentors." | |
| contestant #9 christyn richardson age 20, richmond |
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| Talent: Pop Vocal, "Listen" from Dreamgirls | Fun Facts… |
Sophomore, University of California - Riverside |
• Graduated high school Magna Cum Laude • Certified personal trainer and lifelong vegetarian • Women's Varsity Tennis Team captain for 2 years and #1 singles position all 4 years • Market Street Church award for Most Wiling Volunteer |
| Platform: The Rise of AIDS in Black Women 18-34 | |
| "AIDS is now the leading cause of death in black women ages 18-34. The AIDS epidemic among African-Americans in some parts of the US is as severe as in parts of Africa....My plan is to partner with organizations like the Black AIDS Institute, which is located in Los Angeles, and the National Minority AIDS Council to bring greater attention to this very important issue." | |
| contestant #10 lindsay nault age 22, temecula |
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| Talent: Vocal, "Poor Wandering One" | Fun Facts… |
| 2008 graduate, Chapman University BFA in Television/Broadcast Journalism |
• Cum Laude graduate of Chapman and Chancellor's List for excellence in academics • Has competed in improv acting at the national level • Volunteer coordinator for a State Assembly campaign • Smart Choices instructor for Cam Fire USA |
| Platform: After School Programs | |
| "My platform isn't just about keeping children occupied and off the streets. It is about helping build foundations of self-confidence and giving hope to our youth for the future. Parents can know their children are being stimulated and challenged to grow and explore new challenges, that they matter to their community and have a safe place to learn new skills." | |
| contestant #11 ridhi patel age 23, rancho cucamonga |
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| Talent: Fusion Lyrical/Jazz/Indian Dance | Fun Facts… |
Junior,
University of California - Riverside |
• Culture show chair and current President of Asian Indian Student Association at UCR • Professional Bollywood dancer • Each member of immediate family was born on a different continent; first child in my family to be born in America • Cum Laude graduate and Homecoming Princess in high school |
| Platform: Under Privileged Children and Educational Awareness | |
| "I feel that many Americans are oblivious to the actual conditions in which their children are being educated. I intend to completely reshape this obstacle through the implementation of concentrated after school programs, creating functional facilities and through peer mentor motivation." | |
| contestant #12 mandi reno age 23, quartz hill |
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| Talent: Classical Piano, "Fountain In The Rain" | Fun Facts… |
| 2008 graduate, California State University - Northridge BA, Cinema and Television |
• Selected for the CSUN Senior Film Showcase • Founded and created "Acts of Random Kindness" (A.R.K.) that works to aid victims of natural disaster on a local and regional basis • Produced a documentary film and interactive web site about A.R.K. • Works freelance as a 1st Assistant Director for feature films, commercials and television shows |
| Platform: Be The Change | |
| "In order to create a better future, there is a level of personal responsibility that must be communicated for the present. It is the responsibility of our young people to keep the record of helping others that has come from our predecessors. There has been so much passion and love that has rebuilt homes, comforted families and put food on tables, that we must ensure this trend continues." | |
| contestant #13 nicole honaker age 23, sacramento |
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| Talent: Gymnastics Routine, "Disturbia" by Rihanna | Fun Facts… |
| 2008 graduate,
California State University - Sacramento BS, Kinesiology, Exercise Science concentration |
• Deans' Honor List all 4 years of college • Member of Phi Kappa Phi and Golden Key International honor societies • Has cheered at the youth, all star, high school, collegiate and professional levels • 3-year member of nationally ranked collegiate cheerleading team and competitive gymnast for 6 years through level 9 |
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Platform: Developing Life Skills Through Athletics |
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| "Athletics not only have physical benefit, but the emotional and mental benefits are endless. Youth that are dedicated to an exercise program perform better in school and are more successful throughout their lives. In a report that looked at close to 1 million California children presented a perfect correlation of children that perform better on fitness tests also perform better in math and reading." | |
| contestant #14 lisa duong age 22, monterey park |
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| Talent: Jazz Dance, "Candyman" by Christina Aguilera | Fun Facts… |
| Senior, California State University - Los Angeles Marketing Management major, Economics minor |
• President of CSULA Marketing Club and Vice-President of CSULA Economics and Business Society • Certified Apple Product Professional • Fluent in German; born in Germany • Recipient of the Raul Henderson Spirit scholarship and two-time recipient of the PepsiCo Frito-Lay scholarship |
| Platform: Overcoming Racial Discrimination and Prejudice through Education | |
| "While racial discrimination and prejudice is a long existing problem globally, I feel that is has been largely ignored because it is an issue that many people are not willing to face. Many people have suffered from being treated unjustly and no one is taking a stand." |
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| contestant #15 sheila tejada age 23, cerritos |
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| Talent: Classical Vocal, "Habañera" from "Carmen" | Fun Facts… |
| Graduate Student, California State University - Long Beach, Masters in Communicative Disorders 2007 graduate, University of California - Irvine, BA in Political Science |
• Member of Phi Beta Kappa and Golden Key honor societies • Performed in the first original Filipino opera in Las Vegas • Created a performing arts program for elementary schools • Appeared on TV as a finalist on "MTV's Little Talent Show" |
| Platform: Saving Our Children, Saving Our Future | |
| "Most people have a misconception of child abuse. People often associate child abuse with physical harm inflicted on a child. However, abuse not only encompasses physical harm but also emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. By changing the common misconceptions of opinions and attitudes on abuse, more incidents of abuse will be reported and fewer incidents will occur." | |
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contestant #16 cherelle gaines age 22, san diego |
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| Talent: Dance Performance, "Déja vu" by Beyoncé | Fun Facts… |
| 2008 graduate, New York University, Tisch School of the Arts BFA in Theater |
• National Dean's List and NYU Tisch Scholar • Created HELP Youth- HIV education, leadership and prevention project • USA Today national commendation for distinguished community service and Toyota Community Scholar, one of 100 national scholars chosen for exemplary community service • Delegate to 2007 and 2006 US Conference on AIDS and to Ryan White National Youth Conference on AIDS |
| Platform: Youth AIDS Awareness and Fundraising | |
| "Over the last two decades, the face of the AIDS epidemic has become increasingly feminine, younger and more diverse. Each year in the United States, half of all new HIV infections are among young people under age 25....The persistent HIV assault on girls and young women underscores the need for more focused gender-specific and culturally appropriate prevention programs that enhance self-esteem, promote positive behavior change and risk reduction, and build refusal, negotiation and communication skills." | |
contestant #17 emily brandenburg age 20, yorba linda |
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| Talent: Violin, "Zigeunerweisen" | Fun Facts… |
| Senior,
Chapman University Business Administration and Economics major |
• Will graduate summa cum laude in spring with 3.9 GPA • Member of the Music Teacher's Association of California • Nationally ranked speaker in Washington, DC and state finalist in California Debate Championship • Chapman University Chamber Orchestra Violinist |
| Platform: Dream Big: Excelling in Education | |
| "Living a life of learning is my daily routine and it comes as a shock that over 1 million students drop out of school each year. America's Promise Alliance has concluded that the first step to prevent these dropouts is to know an adult who cares. I will be that person who cares and actively engages youth to dream big dreams by pursuing their education." | |
contestant #18 catherine wagner age 18, northridge |
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| Talent: Light Opera Vocal, "Upon This Rock" | Fun Facts… |
| Sophomore, Pierce College Music Therapy major |
• National Hispanic Scholar and AP Scholar with Distinction • 2008 California State Speech Debate Champion in Thematic Interpretation • Awarded Most Improved Athlete of Junior Varsity Girls Cross Country team • Director of multiple one-act plays and vocal coach to performing arts students for school musical
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| Platform: Poverty Awareness and Aid | |
| "What my platform comes down to is battling the widespread sense of materialism that permeates American culture. It is this materialism that leads many individuals across America to rely on what they own for their sense of dignity. Now is the time to address this issue." | |
contestant #19 tatiana gomez age 22, sherman oaks |
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| Talent: Monologue | Fun Facts… |
| 2008 graduate, University of Southern California BA in Cinema/Television |
• Top 2% of high school graduating class • Dual citizenship in Peru and US • Best Buddies program volunteer • Has worked as a promotional model and interned at a development company |
| Platform: Empowering Women to Stand Up against Physical and Psychological Abuse | |
| "Several women today have incredibly low self worth and feel they are not good enough. Sadly, this often causes women to subconsciously seek out and maintain abusive relationships. They feel that they do not measure up and therefore any abuse done to them is something they deserve. I hope to influence women to stand up for themselves and not allow themselves to be treated like second hand citizens." | |
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