Meet the Miss Hollywood Miss Southland 2011 Contestants
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contestant #1 Jacey Sisneros age 20, malibu |
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| Talent: Clogging, "Soul Man" | Fun Facts… |
| Sophomore, Pepperdine University Telecommunication (News Broadcast) major |
• National Clogging Assn. National Senior Team member • One of the top 44 acts on "America's Got Talent" Season 3 •High school valedictorian • Taught herself to play guitar |
| Platform: Abilities | |
| "Up until the time that people with developmental disabilities graduate from high school, they are provided for and educated by the public school system efficiently. Unfortunately, the quality of education drops when adulthood is reached." | |
| contestant #2 Erica Abke age 21, los angeles |
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| Talent: Monologue, "My Fair Lady" | Fun Facts… |
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Senior, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising |
• Aspires to be a costume designer, set designer and actress • Member of Phi Theta Kappa, President's List and Student Council at FIDM • Created and implemented a "bullycide" education/prevention and personal awareness seminar for grades K-12 • Secretly wants to have an all-organic cooking show |
| Platform: The Self Worth Project | |
| "The Self Worth Project is for everyone, everywhere who has ever felt hurt, alone or insecure. As a component to my seminar, which I began six years ago, I have recently collaborated with my long-time friend and professional photographer Tommy Corey...His gallery is an extremely moving and inspiring collection featuring people of all ages, genders and backgrounds as he is trying to teach the world the beuaty of diversity." | |
| contestant #3 Lauren Smolka age 21, glendora |
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Talent: Vocal Performance, "Let Yourself Go" |
Fun Facts… |
Sophomore, Citrus College |
• President's List and Dean's List at Citrus College • Student Director and President of Women's Ensemble • Played the Wicked Witch of the West in "The Wizard of Oz" and a "Cell Block Tango" Murderess in "Chicago" • Selected out of 120 performers to compete for "Valley's Got Talent" |
| Platform: Rachel's Challenge: Start a Chain Reaction | |
| "I believe every day is a new beginning and that the Miss America Organization can move any person to do the right thing. It encourages thousands of girls to look for guidance and independence. Rachel has started to change the world with one act of kindness at a time, and I would like to help her finish that challenge." | |
| contestant #4 Stefanie Naylor age 21, palmdale |
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| Talent: Guitar/Vocal/Costume Design | Fun Facts… |
| Senior,
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising Fashion Design major |
• Honorary Ambassador, Palmdale Chamber of Commerce • Team leader for Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure • Loves to watch classic movies and is a major "Gleek" • Most Artistic Senior and Outstanding Student in Fine Arts in high school |
| Platform: The Art of Elysium | |
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"The Art of Elysium is a non-profit organization that brings joy and entertainment to the hearts of children seeking medical care in hospitals all over Los Angeles and New York. Volunteers with a wide range of different artistic backgrounds dedicate their time to spend with critically ill children to offer hope, support and entertainment during their visits." |
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| contestant #5 Rachel Lee Fanjul age 23, visalia |
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Talent: Monologue, "The Rollercoaster" by Wade Bradford |
Fun Facts… |
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Senior, California State University, Bakersfield |
• CPR and ACL certified by the American Heart Association •Works as a Registered Nurse • Hobbies include wakeboarding, snowboarding, surfing, riding and showing Paint horses • Has performed in several musicals, including Annie, Guys And Dolls, South Pacific, The King And I and Me And My Girl. |
| Platform: H.E.A.R.T. - Changing Communities One Child at a Time | |
| "I have chosen my platform because of my involvement the past couple of years in the H.E.A.R.T. after school program in Tulare County. Having been a program leader, I see the challenges, aspirations and dreams of every potential child in this program." | |
| contestant #6 Charlotte Bashner age 23, calabasas |
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| Talent: Opera, "Quando m'en vo" from La Boheme | Fun Facts… |
Graduate, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music |
• Music Faculty Award from Jacobs School of Music • Holiday performer and volunteer for the Los Angeles Children's Hospital • Studied voice in Florence, Italy with Luciano Pavarotti's vocal coach as well as coaches and teachers from the Metropolitan Opera • Employed as a medical historian |
| Platform: A Different Path To Learning: Raising Awareness About Learning Challenges | |
| "I will be an influential speaqker on the subject because of my own struggle through academia and the challenges of having ADHD and a non-verbal learning disability. I believe that by sharing my story, I can inspire people with learning challenges to not be ashamed because they too have the potential to succeed in their education." | |
| contestant #7 Christyn Richardson age 22, richmond |
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| Talent: Vocal, "One Moment In Time" | Fun Facts… |
| Senior, University of Californiaq, Riverside Media and Cultural Studies major |
• Lifelong vegetarian and NASM certified personal trainer at age 18 • Make A Wish Foundation wish granter • AVID tutor and mentor, Reach Out! mentor and Reclaiming a Generation mentor • Published poet |
| Platform: Empowering Youth to P.U.S.H. Through Adversity | |
| "I am a firm believer that experiences enhance character and that everything we go through helps to make us who we are. We are able to appreciate the good things in our lives because of their contrast to the challenges that we've had to overcome...I plan to empower youth through one on one mentoring, motivational speaking, advocacy and the implementation of the PUSH program. PUSH stands for Power, Understanding, Success and Hope." | |
| contestant #8 Brittany Ann Payne age 18, tehachapi |
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| Talent: Lyrical/Contemporary Dance, "Say (All I Need)" | Fun Facts… |
freshman, Academy of Art University |
• Has been on several mission trips and has helped build 5 houses • Top 10 Senior and senior class president in high school • Hiked to the top of Yosemite's Half Dome • Tall Ship crew member for 4 years at Catalina Island Marine Institute |
| Platform: Promoting the Pledge of Abstinence | |
| "I selected to promote the pledge of abstinence because my virginity is one of the most important things to me, something you can only give away once, and I am wiating until marriage to give myself to my true love. Abstaining from sex is having respect for yourself and your body." | |
| contestant #9 Angela Zautcke age 22, san diego |
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| Talent: Piano, Tchaikovsky's "Piano Concerto" | Fun Facts… |
| Graduate Student, University of San Diego Marriage and Family Therapy major 2010 graduate, University of Southern California B.A. in English with Psychology minor |
• Accepted into Helenes, a selective all-female community service/public relations organization at USC • Has been playing the piano since age 4 • Community service experience with Special Olympics, Ronald McDonald House Charity, LA Food Bank and a homeless shelter for women and children • Plans to obtaina Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology |
| Platform: Promoting a Positive Lifestyle for the Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease | |
| "Fortunately, there are some known protective factors that can lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's, and these can be enacted throughout the lifetime...Tese measures are easily accessible to the general population, but people cannot use them if they are not aware of them, so as Miss California I would focus on increasing public awareness." | |
| contestant #10 Saundra Combs age 22, san diego |
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| Talent: Vocal, "If I Could" | Fun Facts… |
2010 graduate,
University of San Diego |
• Volunteered over 4000 hours for various fundraisers • Performed at the Vatican, St. Mark's Cathedral, the Pantheon and St. Peter's Basilica in Italy as a member of the Elite USD Choral Singers • Founder and president of "Let's Get Physical/Big Champ Little Champ Foundation", a program that enlists college students and athletes to interact with primary school children to encourage fitness and healthy choices • Assisted Lance Burton in Las Vegas |
| Platform: Facing The Facts: Multiple Sclerosis education and Awareness | |
"Multiple Sclerosis is a disease that scientists and the medical field know very little about. The ways in which one gets the disease are mostly unknown...I have recently become an active member of both the National MS Society and the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. As a member of these two organizations I have been able to not only educate myself on the affects of this disease, but have discovered the importance of fund raising for research in order to find a cure..." |
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| contestant #11 Landon Lei LaRue age 24, hollywood |
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| Talent: Pop Vocal & Electric Guitar, "Paparazzi" | Fun Facts… |
| 2008 graduate, New York University BFA degree, Fil and Television Production |
• Created a worldwide initiative (Personal Shopping) for Apple Computers • Won several awards for NYU's Speech & Debate team and the Parliamentary Debaters' Union • Descendant of a long line of military servicemen; father is a diplomat for Russia • Launched a political awareness campaign for Global Kids while working at the Council on Foreign Relations and the United Nations |
| Platform: "It Gets Better": Bullying Is Not The End. | |
| "Teaching tolerance for all would help with many root problems that inhibit our nation from moving forward. With less bullying and more compassion, students would be focused on their education and extra curricular activities and their parents wuld be more focused at work knowing that their children are in a safe and nurturing environment. Instead of arguing about issues on LGBT equality, our policymakers could discuss health care reform, international relations or the economy." | |
| contestant #12 Anna Mason age 22, west hollywood |
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| Talent: Broadway Vocal, "Everybody Says Don't" from Anyone Can Whistle | Fun Facts… |
| senior, University of Southern California American Literature and Culture major |
• Founded a 501 (c) (3) organization "start green.stay green" to support her platform, including a web site and children's book • Helped pull teeth on a medical trip to Trinidad • Named as "Top Actress to Watch" by the Jackson Free Press • Performed at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis |
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Platform: Promoting Environmental education in Elementary Schools |
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| :Many adults have begun to take on 'green' habits, and for most it has been a difficult transition. However, if green ways erw instilled in children from an early age, they would more easily maintain environmentally healthy habits into adulthood. So I have chosen to focus my efforts on childhood education because if children start green, they will be much more likely to stay green!" | |
| contestant #13 Ebony Taylor age 23, north hollywood |
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| Talent: Ballet en POinte, "Cinderella" | Fun Facts… |
| Sophomore, Moorpark College Philosophy and Women's Studies double major |
• Student Body president at Moorpark College • National Champion Lincol Douglas Debate 2010; 2010 state and national champion in programmed oral interpretation; 2md ranked nationally overall speaker in forensics • Creator and host of Women of Diversity Tea Club • Varsity Track & Field captain and Junior Varsity Basketball captain |
| Platform: Education Through Competition - Urban Debate Leagues | |
| "Urban Debate Leagues seek to combat educational shortfalls through producing an educational activity which fosters creative and active learning. We work directly with low-income, high risk youth modeling a promising alternative. Many of our students come to us totally uninterested in the educational process, and for some the prospect of debating is even a little frightening. Part of my job is to recruit these young people and show them just how cool debaters can be." |
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| contestant #14 Anjelica Francisco age 22, san diego |
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| Talent: Popular Vocal, "Sway" | Fun Facts… |
| graduate, Eastern Michigan University Bachelor of Arts & Sciences degree, Psychology |
• Volunteer probation officer and supervisor for district court's juvenile work program in Michigan • Selected by audition to attend the Cincinnati School for Creative and Performing Arts • Only female on her high school golf team • Loves to bake and is a roller coaster enthusiast |
| Platform: Prevention of Youth Violence and Intimidation | |
| "As a survivior of school bullying, I recognize the importance of encouraging young people to take action. Statistics show that involvement in violence prevention programs decreae the number of violent acts in schools. These findings demonstrate why we must act quickly to implement protective programs throughout our school districts." | |
contestant #15 Brittany Taylor age 21, irvine |
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| Talent: Musical Theater Vocal, "Think Of Me" from The Phantom of the Opera | Fun Facts… |
| junior, University of California, Berkeley English and Performance Studies major |
• Published writer in the Orange County Register • President and founder of Habitat for Humanity and Surf clubs at her high school • Comes from a family of performers including her siblings that all sing, dance and act • The only person to ever sing the National Anthem at her high school's football game |
| Platform: Sharing Positive Assets to Help Build Self-Esteem | |
| "...positive assets are the essential building blocks to promote better self-esteem...The most important focus is developing assets in our youth. Because of the power of developmental assets in young people's lives, asset building offers innovative strategies for building community capacity to ensure that fewer young people engage in substance abuse and other high-risk behaviors, and that more young people thrive." | |
contestant #16 Laura Berger age 21, glendale |
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| Talent: Classical Piano, "Betthoven's Sonta Pathetique, 1st Movement" | Fun Facts… |
| 2010 graduate, Chapman University Bachelor of Arts degress in Communication Studies and Political Science |
• Graduated Cum Laude with departmental honors • Presented research at the Western States Communication Association and Southern States Communication Association conferences • 2nd place nationally in "Freedom Without Walls: Fall of the Berlin Wall" public speaking competition • Overcame a connective tissue disorder that affected her joints and heart |
| Platform: USO: Until Every One Comes Home | |
| "The USO can use the talents of Miss America, as well as state and local titleholders in volunteer and performance oppportunities, and the Miss America Organization can use the publicity that a strong relationship with the USO will bring. In decades past, state titleholders toured the world in a performing USO Troupe, and this tradition should be reinstated. The talented women in our program can surely boost morale and support for our troops overseas, and there is no better support base for the MAO than the troops." | |
contestant #17 Marissa Santana age 20, placerville |
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Talent: Flute Solo, "Queen Of The Night" from Mozart's The Magic Flute |
Fun Facts… |
| junior, California State University, Monterey Bay Mathematics major |
• To get her drivers license, her dad made her past his test of fixing a flat, changing the oil and jump starting the car! • Gold Medal in Interview, Silver Medal in Essay and Bronze Medal in Speech at 2007 Academic Decathlon • KIDS Church Leader at Monterey Church • Has worked as a Housing and Residential Life assistant and Conference and Events asssistant at college |
| Platform: Providing Young Women the Tools to Combat Peer Pressure | |
| "I want to empower girls being hassled to try Ecstasy or being pressure to have sex to say no. Many girls do not have role models in their lives that show them how to say no. They are afraid if they do not conform to what others are doing they wil no longer have any friends. Examples of unhealthy and immoral behavior are all around girls: on billboards, television, radio and often in their own homes." | |
contestant #18 Brittany Bell age 23, studio city |
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| Talent: Bollywood Dance, "Jai Ho" | Fun Facts… |
| 2009 graduate, Arizona State University Bachelor of Arts degree, Mass Communications & TV Broadcasting |
• Phoenix Suns dancer - one of 16 out of 300 to dance for the NBA for 3 consecutive years • Recipient of academic scholarships from Manna Women's Club, Scholarship America and ASU's Maroon & Gold program • Skydived with the Army's Golden Knights • Works as a dancer, freelance television host, model and actress |
| Platform: Psychological & Outer Well-Being of Cancer Patients | |
| "Through the intense process of studies and treatments, our patients outer appearance rapidly declines and the focus is on restoring their health while a crucial emotional 'therapy' is often neglected. That is why it is on my heart to prove and further the improvement that is correlated betweena person's emotional and physical health. I plan to do this through the means of personal nurture, support, and simple maintenaqce of outer well-being provided by an organization that I share a strong love for named 'Face In The Mirror.' " | |
contestant #19 Noelle Freeman age 21, carlsbad |
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| Talent: Ballet en Pointe, "La Esmeralda" | Fun Facts… |
| senior, Chapman University Advertising, Public Relations and Communications major |
• Started dancing at age 2 • Started volunteering for children with Autism at age 8 • President and Vice President:Foundation for Delta Gamma sorority • Fluent in American Sign Language |
| Platform: A Promising Future For Autism | |
| "After years of seeing these children with Autism grow into young adults, I came to understand that the support and guidance received as preschoolers slowly declined as they approached their teen years. It was then, that it became my goal to bring a sense of community to those who have Autism. The structure needed is simply fogotten when needed most. I will unite a community for Autism, bringing those who struggle with their disabilities to their highest potential as they reach adulthood." | |
contestant #20 Marina Inserra age 19, chula vista |
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| Talent: Broadway Vocal, "Out Here On My Own" from Fame | Fun Facts… |
| sophomore, San Diego State University Theater Performance major |
• Founded and organized the "Pink Bash For Cash" fund raiser for the Susan G. Komen Foundation of San Diego. Event is now in its third year. • Performer at Sea World in San Diego • Has performed the National Anthem more than 150 times, including at Petco Park for the San Diego Padres and the Alhambra Coliseum in Spain • Has ridden horses for over 15 years competing in English and Rodeo |
| Platform: Breast Cancer Awareness | |
| "Growing up, I recognized pink as the color of breast cancer awareness. It is a color that was worn by my grandmother, Ophelia Yepis Kruegel, as she fought breast cancer for seventeen years before losing her battle in 2001. As I grew older, I realized I wanted to support breast cancer awareness in any way possible. By having breast cancer awarenss as my platform, I am not only supporting my grandmother, but I am helping other women and men to be aware of the dangers of breast cancer. " | |
contestant #21 Breanne Niche Jones age 20, long beach |
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| Talent: Contemporary Vocal, "I Have Nothing" | Fun Facts… |
| junior, California State University, Long Beach Marketing major |
• Counselor at Poly North human relations camp • Recipient of the Long Beach Rotary Club Service Above Self award • Premiered in a Women's Nike commercial in the 10th grade • Learned how to wind surf at the United Kingdom Sailing Academy |
| Platform: Funding School Programs that Promote Cultural Awareness and Leadership | |
| "One program I would like to encourage schools to partake in is the International Ambassador program. (This) program chooses a group of students from different ethnic and religious backgrounds...who partake in a community service project that would beautify or promote a quality change for the school and surrounding neighborhoods. In a HOmecoming presentation similar to that of the promo king and prom quee, they would present their individual projects and be recognized by their peers as leaders." | |
contestant #22 Lana Brewster age 23, huntington beach |
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| Talent: Vocal Performance, "For Once In My Life" | Fun Facts… |
| junior, Biola University Business Management major and Bible Studies minor |
• 18 years of ballet, tap, modern, jazz and hip-hop dance training • 10 years of vocal training • Performed in the Walt Disney World Christmas Special on ABC three times • Performs as Snow White, Mary Poppins and a parade dancer at the Disneyland Resort |
| Platform: Drug Education Awareness | |
| "Many of my friends became illegal drug users, which ended relationships that were very important in my life. Most significantly, illegal drugs caused the death of my father from a heroin overdose when I was 15 years old. Against these unbelievable odds, I have lived my teen and adult years drug free. None of these things have held me back, but have only made me stronger knowing that I have overcome and live a halthy, drug-free life. I have a story to tell, and with the continued help of the Miss America Organization, I can better tell that story and reach someone in need." | |
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