The 2nd annual Miss Malibu Pageant takes place Saturday.
By Lori Allen / Special to The Malibu Times
CheVonne Burton, a former Miss Michigan in 2000 and Miss Michigan Teen USA in 1997, did not think she would end her first year at Pepperdine Law School preparing for another beauty pageant. Yet, when she saw the flier on campus suggesting that young women can make a difference in the Malibu community by entering in the Miss Malibu contest, the passion for participating in pageants once again bit the brunette beauty.
Burton, along with 10 other young women ranging in age from 18 to 24 from the Malibu area, is preparing to compete for the title of Miss Malibu. “I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to be a positive role model for promoting health and beauty issues for young women,” Burton said.
She added that she hopes the Miss Malibu pageant will help teach women to cope with unhealthy self-esteem issues.
According to the pageant’s Web site, the winner will proceed, with all entry fees paid, to the Miss California Teen USA and Miss California USA pageants to be held in September. In addition, participants can have the opportunity to win cash prizes. Pageant officials want contestants to understand that, along with prizes and glamour, there comes a responsibility to the pageant system, sponsors and the local community. A winner of the Miss Malibu pageant will automatically become a public role model. Since community service is strongly emphasized in this pageant, an award will be given to the contestant demonstrating outstanding work in the community.
Several professionals and representatives from the fashion and entertainment industries, as well as the Malibu community, have been asked to judge the contest.
Pageant judges will be looking for self-confidence, scholastic achievement, charm, poise and public speaking skills when deciding who will represent Malibu at high profile events for the next year. Pageant director and founder Kristen Bradford stressed the importance of focusing this pageant merely on these qualifications only and emphasized the fact that aesthetic appearance is not an indication in determining a winner. However, the contestants are required to model in a swimsuit and evening gown in several parts of the competition only as a way of reflecting their self-confidence, elegance and sophistication onstage, she said. This year’s contestants range in all shapes and sizes, she said. “Personally, this pageant has given me the opportunity to make a difference in young women’s lives,” she said. “When people talk to me about pageantry and the stereotypes, I tell them how I see these young women grow as they go through the preparation process. These are intelligent, motivated, incredible women. This pageant gives them a platform to make a difference and be heard.”
Many of the contestants are first-time competitors in pageants. Bradford, who has competed in pageants herself, spent weeks prepping the contestants with mock interviews, wardrobe styling, preparing their posture and guidance. Rehearsals were held on a few Saturdays prior to the event and organizers tried not to interfere with other extracurricular and school activities. The contestants get individual attention to hone their strengths and improve their skills.
First-time pageant contestant Allison Davis, a college freshman, said she looks forward to seeing her family, friends and her Kappa Alpha Theta sorority sisters supporting her in the audience when she makes her upcoming onstage debut.
“I am excited and ready to rock,” Davis said. “This is a great chance for me to make myself better and I have made a lot of great friends through this event.”
The 2nd Annual Miss Malibu pageant will take place on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Pepperdine University’s Smothers Theatre, 24255 PCH. More information can be obtained at 310.993.4361 or at the Web site, www.missmalibupageant.com