12 compete for title of Miss California Mid-State Fair
The 2014 Miss California Mid-State Fair contestants pose alongside 2013 Miss CMSF Sabrina Dunn (top row, center) and 2013 first runner-up Michelle Tarango, and second runner- up Elida Moore during a recent rehearsal. Photo by Meagan Friberg.
Community is encouraged to attend pageant on Tuesday, July 15
As the community anticipates the opening of the Mid-State Fair this week, twelve young ladies are busy preparing to kick off the festivities and take the stage for a chance to be crowned 2014 Miss California Mid-State Fair. The pageant will take place at 6:30 p.m. on the Frontier Stage at the Mid-State Fairgrounds on Tuesday, July 15.
The contestants turned in their applications in April and have been attending 3-hour weekly meetings and rehearsals together since May under the direction of Patti Lucas, now in her 16th year as the pageant director. The contestants have been strengthening their interview skills and stage presence with 2013 Miss CMSF Sabrina Dunn. Michelle Tarango and Elida Moore, princesses on Dunn’s court during this past year, were also on-hand to help guide the contestants. In addition, 2010 Miss CMSF Tommy Lynn Loyd, 2012 Miss CMSF Savannah Hoagland, and several other volunteers have been lending their assistance.
The contestants will compete in five areas: interview, platform, talent, swimsuit, and evening wear. A queen, along with two princesses, will be selected based on a variety of judging points. The winner of the Miss California Mid-State Fair title will be awarded a $500 scholarship. The entire court will participate in judging and opening events, sign autographs and generally represent the best aspects of the Mid-State Fair.
Meet the 2014 Miss CMSF contestants
Amanda Oliver
Amanda Oliver is 18 years old and a graduate of Paso Robles High School. Her hobbies are hiking, running, cross fit and swimming. She is involved in year round club swimming, was on the Bearcat varsity swim team for four years, was active in the high school band and was selected as the senior drum major. Amanda has been involved in FFA poultry. Her achievements include Lyons Club Sportsmanship Award, PRHS Swim team MVP and PAC-7 All League honors. Her platform is Couches Not Cages, in support of no-kill animal shelters in SLO County. Amanda wants to inform others about pet adoption as well as the importance of micro-chipping, spaying and neutering of animals. “My family adopted a cat from a local shelter and he is the best,” Amanda said. “Adopting an animal gives them a second chance and I want to stress this to the community.”
Denise Carigo
Denise Carigo is 20 years old, a graduate of Atascadero High School and a current student at Cuesta College. Her hobbies are photography, cooking, dancing, sewing, arts and crafts, traveling, and volunteering. She is involved with the SLO County 4-H, Girl Scouts, Atascadero Youth Football League, Atascadero FFA Alumni, a member of the American Breeders Association, and part of the CMSF Jr. Fair Board for the past two years. Her achievements include 4-H Young Achiever Award and SLO County 4-H All Star; she has received numerous awards in FFA and 4-H. Her platform is titled Wellness Kitchen Expansion. Denise wants to bring awareness to the community of the wellness kitchen is and what they do to help patients and their families that are facing an acute illness. “My mom was re-diagnosed with cancer at the beginning of this year and the Wellness Kitchen has helped my family so much.” Denise said. “I would like to bring awareness to their desire to expand to other areas.”
Devin Corea
Devin Corea is 17 years old and a graduate of Paso Robles High School; she will be attending the University of San Diego in the fall to study physical therapy. Her hobbies are surfing, snowboarding, wake boarding and hiking. She was involved with the PRHS Bearcats cross country as well as the track and field team for four years, and the water polo and soccer teams for two years. Devin was active in the PRHS Journalism class, Leadership, International Club, and Crimson Crew; she was Class President as a junior and the ASB President as a senior. In addition, she was an AYSO youth referee and coach and was with the Santa Lucia 4-H for the past nine years. Her platform title is B4Health, and she is partnering with 4-H Healthy Living. Devin will have an informational booth to bring awareness to the program provided through 4-H to teach youth about healthy lifestyle. “I have always been an athlete and I want others to learn about being healthy and happy,” Devin said. “The 4-H Healthy Living is under-promoted and I want to bring awareness to the program and get more children involved.”
Rebecca Sligh
Rebecca Sligh is 18 years old and a graduate of Templeton High School. She will attend Cuesta College in the fall and has plans become film and cinematograher intern at Paramount Movie Studio. Her hobbies are sewing, dancing, singing, acting, swimming, modeling and shopping. She is involved with Templeton’s Women in Business, Templeton FFA, and Main Street Dance Company and her achievements include the FFA Emerging Agricultural Technology Award and modeling in the Twist Fashion Show. Her platform is titled Depression Doesn’t Define You. Rebecca plans to have an informational booth and to partner with Transitions Mental Health to have information and resources for teens and young adults who struggle with depression. “I have personal experience with being diagnosed with depression and I learned that it was hereditary,” Rebecca said. “I want o share my story with other teens and adults and let them know that it is important to tell someone and to seek help.”
Sarah Groves
Sarah Groves is 20 years old, a graduate of Templeton High School and currently attends Cuesta College. Her hobbies are hiking, rock climbing, cooking, being with friends, going to the beach, and attending concerts. She is involved with the ANAD (National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders). Some of the awards Sarah has received include Best of Show and several first places for computer drafting. Her platform title is It’s Not What You Wear. Sarah will have an informational both on how to protect against and prevent sexual assaults, including through self awareness and self defense. “I would like to set up programs that will help females be more aware of their surroundings and how to protect themselves,” Sarah said. “I also want to make it clear that females should feel comfortable with what they wear and not have to think that it may be inviting danger or threats.”
Shasta Wright
Shasta Wright is 17 years old and a senior at Paso Robles High School. Her hobbies are playing musical instruments. She plays the flute, marimba and base drum. She has been involved with the Bearcat Band and color guard for the past three years. Her achievements include Honor Roll, Principal’s Honor Roll and helping her team take second place in a parade. With her platform, Music Together, Shasta plans to inform people about music education and how it helps with children’s abilities in learning other subjects. She will have a booth where children and adults can play different instruments. “I have been in band since elementary school and it is such a great program to be involved with,” Shasta said. “It is important to promote music and to get children started with it early.”
Summer Botts
Summer Botts is 17 years old and a senior at Paso Robles High School. Her hobbies are softball, waterpolo, babysitting, horseback riding, diving, and spending time with her family. She is involved in the PRHS International Club, PRHS Leadership, 4-H, Paso Robles Girls Softball League, and the Jr. Giants. Her achievements include Commissioner of Communication for PRHS, Varsity waterpolo, Varsity diving, County Achiever in 4-H, Vice President of Estrella 4-H and she is CPR certified and babysitter certified. Her platform is titled Discovering Sports. Summer plans to have an informational booth on organized sports offered and “hands on” with sports equipment. “I have been playing sports my entire and I love getting younger children involved,” Summer said. ‘Sports provide so many benefits such as dedication and discipline.”
Taylor Mae Lindquist
Taylor Mae Lindquist is 18 years old, a graduate of Templeton High School and currently a student at Cal Poly SLO. Her hobbies include showing livestock, milking goats, cheese making, exercising, teaching others about agriculture, playing the flute, reading, hiking, cooking, sewing and welding. She is involved with the American Dairy Goats Association, SLO County Farm Bureau, CMSF Junior Fair Board, and Templeton FFA. Her achievements include the Cal Poly Dean’s List, State FFA scholarship, American Dairy Goat Association Scholarship, Independent Grape Grower Scholarship, Templeton FFA Scholarship and Booker Brothers Scholarship. Her platform is titled FFA? Get Agucated! Taylor plans are to educate the community on what FFA is all about. With help from FFA advisors she would like to showcase FFA at local farmers markets and have an educational booth at the Fair. “FFA is a major part of my life,” Taylor said , “and I want to spread information about the program and get more people involved.”
Zoe Zepp
Zoe Zepp is 18 years old, a graduate of Paso Robles High School, and she will attend Cal State University at Monterey Bay in the fall. Her hobbies are surfing, swimming, water polo, cooking, playing guitar and going to amusement parks. She has been involved with Girl Scouts, NCA Swim team, USA water polo, 4-H and PRHS International Club. Her achievements include Principal’s Honor Roll, perfect attendance award, PRHS girls Varsity water polo team captain, coach’s award for Varsity swimming, Girl Scout Bronze, Silver and Gold awards, Miss Pre-teen California first runner up and finalist in Miss Pre-teen America. Her platform title is Save the Cayucos Pier – Raising Funds For Future Maintenance. Zoe wants to get the community involved with Cayucos Pier Project and raising money to keep the Pier alive. She is planning on setting up a booth during the Fair to inform citizens about the plight of the Cayucos Pier and help support the ongoing restoration of this historical treasure. “I have lived in Paso Robles my entire life, but I am at Cayucos nearly every weekend,” Zoe said. “There are enough funds now to restore it, but I want to make sure there are enough funds for the future.”
Lauren Rodrigues
Lauren Rodrigues is 20 years old, a graduate of Paso Robles High School, and she currently attends California State University, Fresno. Her hobbies are photography, volunteering, water polo and bike riding. She is involved with Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, and women’s club water polo. Some of her past clubs are FFA and SATO (student athletic trainers organization). Her achievements include historian of Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority, Paso Robles Rotary Scholarship, collegiate athlete – Fresno State Women’s Water polo, Star Chapter Farmers degree (FFA), sheep project, completion of Nike women’s half marathon, and editor of the PRHS yearbook. Her platform is titled CASA – Court Appointed Special Advocate. Lauren plans to have a booth where adults can receive information about the organization and learn more about giving children a voice in court. “I was involved with CASA through my sorority,” Lauren said, “and I want to spread the word about this important cause and help more children.”
Laura Henderson
Laura Henderson is 18 years old and a graduate of Paso Robles High School; she will attend Cuesta College in the fall to work on her prerequisites for the Nursing Program. Her hobbies are gymnastic, dance swimming and hiking. She belongs to the California Gold Shockwaves Team. Her achievements include being the PRHS cheerleading stunt captain, earning first place in three competitions with the California Gold Shockwave, and being on the honor roll. Her platform, titled Voices Against Violence, will bring attention to the plight of children who have a parent dealing with substance abuse. “I have personal experience with this because of my mom and I want to show others that they can come through it also if they have a parent that abuses or if they are an abuser that wants to change their life,” Laura said. “I have been working with the Women’s Shelter and it is very healing for all of us.”
Dianna Dawson
Dianna Dawson is 18 years old, a graduate of Templeton High School, and is currently a student at Cuesta College. Her hobbies are cheerleading, dirt bike riding, showing livestock, drawing, reading, wave boarding, snowboarding, baking, swing dancing, modeling, swimming, hiking and exercising. She is involved with the Templeton FFA, National Hillclimb Association, Junior Fair board, THS Varsity cheerleading, and School Site Council. Her achievements include Varsity cheerleading captain, FFA proficiency award South Coast Region for emerging agricultural mechanics, National Hill climb Association Champion, FFA English breed beef champion, FFA AOB reserve lamb champion, and Templeton FFA Animal Science Star Senior. Her platform is titled The Ride to Success. “I am an avid dirt bike rider and it has definitely changed my life and my family’s life,” Dianna said. “Growing up is hard and riding together is one way to connect and learn together.”
The 2014 Miss California Mid-State Fair pageant will have 12 local contestants vying for the title at 6:30 p.m. on the Frontier Stage at the Mid-State Fairgrounds on Tuesday, July 15. Courtesy photo.
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