“How has it been preparing for Miss California?”

Since being crowned Miss Central California on March 19th, this journey towards Miss California has been a whirlwind, but a journey I wouldn’t change for anything.

I graduated from the best university in the world (okay, I might be a little biased), The University of Alabama with a major in journalism and a minor in political science. I’ve also turned my sights towards graduate school (Go Bruins!) to further my education with all of the incredible scholarship money I’ve earned through the Miss America Organization. Thank you, MAO, for providing young women with the abilities and opportunities to further our education, excel, grow, and gain so many valuable skills. I’m forever grateful for this organization.

In mid-May, I moved back home to Danville, California, where I unpacked 4 years of my life and turned my undivided attention and perseverance towards preparation for my dream job: Miss California.

Preparation for this dream job of mine has not been easy, but boy, has it been worth it.

Most of my days have been a balance between walking practice, mock interviews, watching the news, reading the newspaper, going to Pure Barre, practicing my talent, packing for Africa, packing for Miss California, engaging in political debates/conversation, and reflecting on all that God has so graciously laid out for me.

I have so many people, companies, and sponsors to thank for being such an important part of my journey. Honestly, I wish I could do more to show how much gratitude I have in my heart for y’all.

The judges I’ve met with at Miss Contra Costa County, Miss North Bay/Bay Area, and Miss Central California/North Valley/Delta Valley, thank you ALL for pushing me in interview, for asking me personal questions, for laughing when my southern twang accidentally comes out when I spoke, for listening intently to my stories, for keeping my drive alive, for awarding me as first runner up, and for awarding me the chance to go to Miss California. Most importantly, thank you for believing in me and seeing a titleholder in me- whether that was Miss Central California, Miss California, or even Miss America. You saw something wonderful in me, and from the bottom of my heart- thank you.

I was so lucky to be sponsored by an incredible dietician (Tracy Beckham at Body by Beckham) who provided me with an extensive diet plan to help me feel energized and full with a completely balanced meal schedule. Thank you Tracy for being so incredibly supportive and kind.

Amy at Aurora Organic Tan, thank you for being a friend, supporter, and advice giver! You always provide me with the most beautiful bronzed glow and you make me feel like a Miss California. I can’t wait to see you again before I head off to Fresno in a few days.

Shareen at ICandy Salon, thank you for sponsoring me with the most stunning set of eyelash extensions. Putting on false eyelashes aren’t easy, and the beautiful eyelashes you’ve provided me with have changed my routine dramatically and I cannot wait to show them off at Miss California.

Pure Barre Walnut Creek, your staff is so kind, uplifting, encouraging, and supportive. Since the moment I walked in on day one, y’all have blessed me with strength and courage to believe in my body and my abilities. You make each of us feel like the only one in the room and you push us to be our personal best and to work harder than the day before. Thank you for making me feel strong and ready for the Miss California stage.

Raquela, thank you for creating the most perfect cuts of my talent music and for meeting with me countless times to rehearse my talent for Miss California. You’ve believed in me and my voice and told me “yes I can,” when I didn’t know if I could. You rock, and I promise I’ll start as far back as possible for my talent piece, hehe.

Kari Volen, thank you for being a coach, mentor, and friend over the last five years. You’ve taken my interview skills from good to incredible and I am so grateful for you for always pushing me with political, personal, and platform questions. After Miss California, lets go back to Disneyland together to celebrate. I love you and I couldn’t do this without you.

Eryn Allen, thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule for meeting with me and working with me on my talent piece. You’ve always been a mentor in my life (since elementary school, how crazy is that?!). Thank you for pushing me to genuinely and effortlessly portray my deepest emotions through my talent piece, you are amazing.

Gregory Ellenburg, thank you for taking my (many) different dress ideas and creating the most one-of-a-kind gown I could have ever envisioned. Your staff is so attentive and timely, and I am so glad I got to spend almost an entire week with y’all in June! I cannot wait to wear my interview outfit, evening gown, and swimsuit on the Miss California stage. Thank you for making me a “Greg’s Girl.”

Chastity at Younique Beauty, thank you for teaching me how to pin-curl my hair just right, how to shade in my (barely there) eyebrows to a T, and of course for the stunning photos you’ve captured of me. Your photos truly capture my personality and it’s all because of how you treat others. You make me feel so comfortable, confident, and personable and when I see the final photos those feelings you gave me shows. You always make me feel so beautiful from the inside out.

My pageant friends and my non-pageant friends, thank you for listening to me talk about politics (even if y’all didn’t really want to!), for reassuring me when I begin to question my abilities, for cheering me on regardless of the results, for being hands to hold and shoulders to cry on, for praying with me and for me, for being workout buddies, and for just being so incredible. I love y’all, and one day soon we will all go get pizza and ice cream to celebrate 🙂

To “Dancing Connie”, my executive director Karen, Tony, and the families of my sister queens, thank you for selflessly dedicating your time and efforts towards preparing each of us to take on the roles of Miss California and Miss California’s Outstanding Teen. The families who have hosted us, guided us, and helped us when we forgot something (For example, Mrs. Hansen for the Sensodyne toothpaste when I whitened my teeth and couldn’t breathe due to pain before mock interviews, hahahaha). Tony Moises, thank you for all of the mock interview prep and advice when it comes to public speaking, concise answers, poise, and lastly, for helping me relax so that I can be the goofy and personable girl I am from the second I begin the interview to the second I walk out of it. To “Dancing Connie,” thank you for all of your walking tips, posture tips, and of course for helping me learn how to dance (because we all know that’s not my strong suit). To my executive director, Karen, thank you for being like a second mother to me and for believing in me and my heart. I am so grateful for all the long conversations we’ve had and deep talks we’ve engaged in since March 19th. We couldn’t do it without each of you.

To my sister queens, I am so grateful that I was crowned with this group of women. Y’all are some of the funniest, sweetest, humble, and talented young women I’ve ever known. It is an honor to walk beside you.

To Jessa Carmack, Miss California 2016, thank you for painting the path of what a Miss California should be. You have taken this past year and made it so special by making such a difference throughout the entire state of California. Thank you for encouraging everyone that you have come in contact with (especially all of the kids you’ve influenced with your healthy living platform!). You truly are the definition of what a Miss California should be- selfless, kind, passionate, organized, committed, dedicated, and servant-hearted. It is an honor to look up to you, Jessa. If I were blessed to be the next Miss California, you are exactly the type of titleholder I wold strive to be like. Thank you for your amazing year of service.

To the Miss California volunteers, staff, Patricia Murray and Russ Gladden, thank you for all of your selfless commitment to The Miss California and Miss America Organizations. This program wouldn’t be as strong or as incredible as it is today without each of you. It truly does take a village, and you are all a part of that village. Thank you, thank you for everything.

To The Wheelchair Foundation, thank you for providing me with this passion to give the gift of mobility sine June of 2000. Thank you for letting me be your ambassador, volunteer, and advocate. Thank you for encouraging me to fundraise $42,500 for the container of wheelchairs we will be taking to the incredible people of South Africa this summer. Forever humbled to give these wheels that heal.

To the countless Rotary International members, donors, and sponsors, thank you for believing in my mission for mobility and for helping me (far) surpass my goal of fundraising $36,000 for the Tanzania container. Your selfless donations will truly change the lives of so many during our trip, and I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish for my next container going to disabled United States Veterans.

The Padgetts, thank you for never missing a pageant over the last (almost) three years and for raising an incredibly respectful and kind son whom I love so dearly. I’m so thankful to have your support, love, and comfort during this entire journey.

Thank you to both sets of my grandparents, uncles/aunts, cousins, for coming out to my pageants, traveling for hours, and for loudly cheering me on with full hearts (and buttons with my face on them, hahaha). I’m blessed to have so many people standing by my side as I reach my wildest dreams, and I cannot wait to have y’all come to Miss California.

My family, wow, none of this would be possible without you. Y’all have been there for me since day one and have stood by my side through the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. To my father, thank you for teaching me the importance of selfless giving since I was a little girl and for effortlessly placing that drive to follow in your footsteps inside of my heart. I cannot wait to see you take over our family’s non-profit, The Wheelchair Foundation, and I cannot wait to one day follow your path. To my mother, thank you for being one of my best friends. I am so grateful for all of the hard work you’ve put into rhinestoning my wardrobe, for being my hair dresser, for giving me constructive criticism because you want to see me achieve even more, and for being a great source of my strength. You’ve truly helped prepare me for the role of Miss California since I began competing 6 years ago, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. To my brother, thank you for being one of my favorite hugs, my best buddy, and my inspiration. You may be my “little” brother, but I look up to you more than you’ll ever know. I love y’all with every ounce of my heart.

God, thank you for being so faithful. The Heavenly Father’s ways are so much higher than we know, and time and time again He shows this to me.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

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Cheers to the final week of preparation. I honestly feel that I could leave tomorrow for Fresno and feel undeniably prepared to take on the job of Miss California. My heart feels this because of all of those incredible individuals mentioned above and all of the hard work, dedication, and commitment I’ve given over the last 9 months.

I cannot wait for this journey to unfold, and next week I will post my final reflection on That Girl With Bangs before I head to Fresno.

My heart couldn’t be fuller or more at ease with whatever happens over the next two weeks.

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Stay humble. Work hard. Love well.

XO,

Stephanie

#missamerica