Pageant emphasizes volunteerism among young women




 

 


CHEERFUL GIVERS- The young ladies who compete in the Miss and Miss Teen California International pageants actively volunteer in the community and speak on behalf of a nonprofit group of their choice. Shown here, some of the local contestants attend state orientation in Bakersfield last year. Back row, from left, Hilary Gushwa, Jessica Hartman, Loretta Toso and Sami Riddle. Front row, Kelsie Ross, Lauren Cook, Allison Soto, Meghan Lopez, Allison Bowman and Lace Granatelli.

While most pageants promote exterior beauty, there is nothing superficial about the community service participation fostered by the Miss and Miss Teen California International pageants.

The girls who compete in these contests spend most of their time volunteering and speaking on behalf of a nonprofit organization of their choosing. They don’t take part in bathing suit or talent competitions, but contestants must be physically fit and able to speak in public with confidence.

Ventura County participants are mentored by Connie and Marty Gushwa, who created Crowning Glory Productions, a subgroup under the International Pageant umbrella.

The Gushwas lived in Moorpark for 20 years and moved to Camarillo last year. Their daughter Hilary began to compete at age 16 and has been involved in pageants ever since. She won the 2007 Miss Ventura County International pageant and was chosen to be a national spokesperson for the City of Hope as a result of her efforts to help fight leukemia. She created Heart2Heart and promotes bone marrow drives to help leukemia patients.

Hilary is one of several local young women who are taking part in the upcoming 2008 Ventura County pageant and who spend a significant amount of time volunteering to help others.

“We are a community servicebased pageant, which means that all of our contestants will have a platform based on helping others throughout Ventura County,” said Connie Gushwa.

“It’s imperative to encourage young ladies to get involved with community service, and this system (International pageants) truly supports that,” Connie said. She decided to become a part of the International Pageant system to encourage volunteerism among as many young women as she can.

The Gushwas help the participants find a local volunteer opportunity that interests them. “Out of the 11 ladies we took to the state competition last year, nine of them had no prior community service experience,” Gushwa said.

The International Pageants are more about brains than beauty, said 18-year-old Samantha Riddle, who won the Miss Teen Moorpark International title for 2007.

“This pageant is unique- each girl has an individual story about what they do, and they’re dedicated and try to make a difference. Some of the girls have been volunteering for many years,” she said.

Riddle is the youngest person ever to locally chair an American Cancer Society national campaign.

“Being of service to our community is something that we all need to be involved with,” said Marty Gushwa, who handles the logistical issues while assisting and encouraging the participants, who are directed by Connie.

The International Pageant system epitomizes the feminist’s ideals, said Connie. The competition teaches young women to be strong, articulate and able to share their opinions constructively. “It is important to have an opinion,” Gushwa said.

Connie devotes herself fulltime to Crowning Glory Productions so she’s available to help girls whenever their schedules permit. Marty is a quality assurance manager for Dairy Farmers of America.

“He makes sure that all of the glass bottles of Starbucks Frappuccinos that everyone purchases are safe,” said Connie.

Crowning Glory Productions held its first International Pageant in May last year, and the organization will crown Miss and Miss Teen Ventura County and Greater Conejo Valley International at the Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks on March 24.

“We will be crowning the ‘2008’ winners, as they will compete in July 2008 for the International Title if they are lucky enough to win the California State International Title in August 2007,” Connie said.

Local young women who are interested are invited to participate in the 2008 pageants.

Visit the website www. CrowningGloryProductions.com or attend the upcoming orientation event at 10 a.m. Sat., Feb. 10 at the Thousand Oaks Teen Center.

“No one has to worry about the entry fee,” Connie said. Crowning Glory gives each young woman the means to secure supporters to pay for their entry fee. “I dedicate myself to not allowing any young lady who wants to be in our pageant to be precluded from the opportunity. If she is willing to put the time and energy into getting sponsors, I am willing to help her succeed.”

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