MISS CALIFORNIA USA
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I IMAGINE WITH ALL MY MIND. I BELIEVE WITH ALL MY HEART. I ACHIEVE WITH ALL MY MIGHT.
"There is no secret to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure" - Colin Powell. Last December 2017, I competed for the prestigious title of Miss California USA, the state pageant to the national Miss USA pageant and Miss Universe. Although I did not win the title of Miss California USA 2017, the amazing experience I received; the phenomenal women I have met and become friends with; the positive feedback I received to "not give up" and "keep grinding" from staff, sponsors, extraordinary pageant directors, pageant fans, beautiful pageant participants, family and friends was overwhelming and humbling received.
Scripture says we are to "run with patience (endurance, persistence) the race set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith..... Hebrews 12:1-3.
I understand that my calling is great and the gifts inside me are to be nurtured and stirred up to fully manifest and walk in my purpose. That being said, I am excited to announce that I am going to work harder, stay positive and continue to run the race. This year alone I have competed for additional regional USA pageants and placed Top 10 for Miss Santa Monica USA, Top 10 for Miss North Hollywood USA, Top 10 for Miss Malibu/Beverly Hills USA and Top 5 (3rd Runner Up & Miss Photogenic) for Miss Laguna Beach USA; standing side by side as a contender with ladies that have been in the pageant system for years. This will be my 2nd year competing for Miss California. I have been accepted and am now officially part of a select group of exceptional young women chosen to participate in the 2018 Miss California USA. I am being coached by the official recruiter for Miss California USA Kristen Bradford.
Kristen exclusively coached and dressed the last four Miss California USA winners including the current Miss California USA 2017, India Williams and first runner up Miss Teen California USA 2017, Samantha Ramos. Young women from around the country have come to California to train with Kristen. Her past winners include:
Tami Farrell – Miss California USA 2009, Miss Malibu USA 2009
Nana Meriwether – Miss USA 2012, Miss Malibu USA 2008
Chloe Hatfield – Miss California Teen USA 2013, Miss Malibu Teen USA 2013
Cassandra Kunze – Miss California USA 2014, Miss Beverly Hills USA 2014
Brittany McGowan – Miss Nevada USA 2015, Miss Malibu USA 2013
Natasha Martinez – Miss California USA 2015, Miss Malibu USA 2014
Olivia Jordan – Miss USA 2015, Miss Oklahoma USA 2015, Miss Beverly Hills USA 2013
Nadia Mejia – Miss California USA 2016, Miss Malibu USA 2015
Athenna Crosby – Miss California Teen USA 2016, Miss Santa Monica Teen USA 2016
I am so excited to be apart of this experience and I know that I will represent my community, friends and family with beauty, style, intelligence and uniqueness that has been instilled in me by my parents. Your kind donation and or sponsorship will help with many of the preparation cost incurred that include wardrobe, physical training, nutritional training, entry fees, photo shoots, etc.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME
I Love MUSIC! Music soothes the soul and thanks to my father, my introduction to music started well before I entered the world. I was introduced to the melodic tunes of Jazz Great Myles Davis in utero and emerged as a small child with a great ear, voice, and interest in music. By age 5, I performed my rendition of Beyoncé’s “Listen” in an elementary school talent show and thereafter continued to cultivate my craft by performing for various audiences in my community and beyond leading me to pursue a career in music now as a young adult. I aim to be the type of artist that creates music that transcends time with timeless elements like the contributions of artist I admire such as Aaliyah, Janet Jackson, Etta James and Beyoncé who have music that will continue to inspire the world for years to come.
I am an observant, sharp, quick individual with a high ability to help others understand the way the social world works and how it might be rehabilitated for the better. That being said, my key platform in the social world is “homelessness”. I have been a resilient trailblazer and authentic volunteer for the non-profit organization The ASHÉ Foundation since I was eleven years old. The foundation is committed to changing the lives of the millions of women and children in African nations who have been orphaned by the devastating effects caused by HIV/AIDS, Wars and Poverty. Through the foundation’s efforts, I have help gather and distribute shoes, clothing, other necessities, and services to aid the disadvantaged and underprivileged women and children of African nations. In addition, through my work with the foundation, I have supported one of the most overpopulated homeless communities in Los Angeles, “Skid Row”.
My effort to end homelessness does not stop at The ASHÉ Foundation. Presently, I volunteer monthly preparing and serving meals to the homeless at the Santa Monica OPCC (Empowering People To Rebuild Their Lives) Samoshel Center. This program provides interim shelter and a broad range of programs to 70 men and women in separate living quarters. Within this program is a project called “The People Concern/Flyaway Homes”. I have partnered with USC alumni Kevin Hirai (CEO/Founder of The People Concern/Flyaway Homes) to participate in the launch of the first of its kind housing in the City of Los Angeles for the solution to ending homelessness. This is a permanent supportive program building housing for the homeless as an economically viable, without the need for private donation or government funds using "Social Impact Equity”. I am commitment to serving displaced, disadvantaged, underprivileged and underserved communities.
When I am not serving my community, recording or blazing the stage with a performance, you can find me on the runway for a cause as a fashion model for Metroplotian Fashion Week, Style Fashion Week, Ankara Festival, International Fashion Supermodel for costume desinger Ricardo Soltero, David Tupaz, Ottdubai, Celebrity Designer Angela Dean and Getty Images/Sheen Magazine Photographer Mark Gunter to name just a few.
Understanding that knowledge is power and a college degree is essential, I recently graduated with honors from Santa Monica Community College majoring in Sociology with a minor in Women Studies and African American Studies. I am now attending Biola University majoring in Sociology with a minor in Psychology. I am currently on the dean's list, a member of Phi Theta Kappa honors program, The Rotary Club, Black Collegians, the Cheerleading Club and the CCCP at UCLA.
I am fully invested in giving back to the community through my performing gifts and academic achievements. I plan to use my musical career and the title as means to give back in a larger context. Through music I will spread messages of encouragement for people who come from at-risk communities to inspire hope and change, while through my philanthropic actions I plan to contribute to worthy causes and act as a liaison to further their missions.
Your support in the journey would mean the world to me and help me achieve the financial obligation by the September 30, 2017.
"SUCCESS ISN'T ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY YOU MAKE. IT IS ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES". - MICHELLE OBAMA
Thank you for your prayers and continuous support!
"There is no secret to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure" - Colin Powell. Last December 2017, I competed for the prestigious title of Miss California USA, the state pageant to the national Miss USA pageant and Miss Universe. Although I did not win the title of Miss California USA 2017, the amazing experience I received; the phenomenal women I have met and become friends with; the positive feedback I received to "not give up" and "keep grinding" from staff, sponsors, extraordinary pageant directors, pageant fans, beautiful pageant participants, family and friends was overwhelming and humbling received. Scripture says we are to "run with patience (endurance, persistence) the race set before us, looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith..... Hebrews 12:1-3.
I understand that my calling is great and the gifts inside me are to be nurtured and stirred up to fully manifest and walk in my purpose. That being said, I am excited to announce that I am going to work harder, stay positive and continue to run the race. This year alone I have competed for additional regional USA pageants and placed Top 10 for Miss Santa Monica USA, Top 10 for Miss North Hollywood USA, Top 10 for Miss Malibu/Beverly Hills USA and Top 5 (3rd Runner Up & Miss Photogenic) for Miss Laguna Beach USA; standing side by side as a contender with ladies that have been in the pageant system for years. This will be my 2nd year competing for Miss California. I have been accepted and am now officially part of a select group of exceptional young women chosen to participate in the 2018 Miss California USA. I am being coached by the official recruiter for Miss California USA Kristen Bradford.
Kristen exclusively coached and dressed the last four Miss California USA winners including the current Miss California USA 2017, India Williams and first runner up Miss Teen California USA 2017, Samantha Ramos. Young women from around the country have come to California to train with Kristen. Her past winners include:
Tami Farrell – Miss California USA 2009, Miss Malibu USA 2009
Nana Meriwether – Miss USA 2012, Miss Malibu USA 2008
Chloe Hatfield – Miss California Teen USA 2013, Miss Malibu Teen USA 2013
Cassandra Kunze – Miss California USA 2014, Miss Beverly Hills USA 2014
Brittany McGowan – Miss Nevada USA 2015, Miss Malibu USA 2013
Natasha Martinez – Miss California USA 2015, Miss Malibu USA 2014
Olivia Jordan – Miss USA 2015, Miss Oklahoma USA 2015, Miss Beverly Hills USA 2013
Nadia Mejia – Miss California USA 2016, Miss Malibu USA 2015
Athenna Crosby – Miss California Teen USA 2016, Miss Santa Monica Teen USA 2016
I am so excited to be apart of this experience and I know that I will represent my community, friends and family with beauty, style, intelligence and uniqueness that has been instilled in me by my parents. Your kind donation and or sponsorship will help with many of the preparation cost incurred that include wardrobe, physical training, nutritional training, entry fees, photo shoots, etc.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ME
I Love MUSIC! Music soothes the soul and thanks to my father, my introduction to music started well before I entered the world. I was introduced to the melodic tunes of Jazz Great Myles Davis in utero and emerged as a small child with a great ear, voice, and interest in music. By age 5, I performed my rendition of Beyoncé’s “Listen” in an elementary school talent show and thereafter continued to cultivate my craft by performing for various audiences in my community and beyond leading me to pursue a career in music now as a young adult. I aim to be the type of artist that creates music that transcends time with timeless elements like the contributions of artist I admire such as Aaliyah, Janet Jackson, Etta James and Beyoncé who have music that will continue to inspire the world for years to come.
I am an observant, sharp, quick individual with a high ability to help others understand the way the social world works and how it might be rehabilitated for the better. That being said, my key platform in the social world is “homelessness”. I have been a resilient trailblazer and authentic volunteer for the non-profit organization The ASHÉ Foundation since I was eleven years old. The foundation is committed to changing the lives of the millions of women and children in African nations who have been orphaned by the devastating effects caused by HIV/AIDS, Wars and Poverty. Through the foundation’s efforts, I have help gather and distribute shoes, clothing, other necessities, and services to aid the disadvantaged and underprivileged women and children of African nations. In addition, through my work with the foundation, I have supported one of the most overpopulated homeless communities in Los Angeles, “Skid Row”.
My effort to end homelessness does not stop at The ASHÉ Foundation. Presently, I volunteer monthly preparing and serving meals to the homeless at the Santa Monica OPCC (Empowering People To Rebuild Their Lives) Samoshel Center. This program provides interim shelter and a broad range of programs to 70 men and women in separate living quarters. Within this program is a project called “The People Concern/Flyaway Homes”. I have partnered with USC alumni Kevin Hirai (CEO/Founder of The People Concern/Flyaway Homes) to participate in the launch of the first of its kind housing in the City of Los Angeles for the solution to ending homelessness. This is a permanent supportive program building housing for the homeless as an economically viable, without the need for private donation or government funds using "Social Impact Equity”. I am commitment to serving displaced, disadvantaged, underprivileged and underserved communities.
When I am not serving my community, recording or blazing the stage with a performance, you can find me on the runway for a cause as a fashion model for Metroplotian Fashion Week, Style Fashion Week, Ankara Festival, International Fashion Supermodel for costume desinger Ricardo Soltero, David Tupaz, Ottdubai, Celebrity Designer Angela Dean and Getty Images/Sheen Magazine Photographer Mark Gunter to name just a few.
Understanding that knowledge is power and a college degree is essential, I recently graduated with honors from Santa Monica Community College majoring in Sociology with a minor in Women Studies and African American Studies. I am now attending Biola University majoring in Sociology with a minor in Psychology. I am currently on the dean's list, a member of Phi Theta Kappa honors program, The Rotary Club, Black Collegians, the Cheerleading Club and the CCCP at UCLA.
I am fully invested in giving back to the community through my performing gifts and academic achievements. I plan to use my musical career and the title as means to give back in a larger context. Through music I will spread messages of encouragement for people who come from at-risk communities to inspire hope and change, while through my philanthropic actions I plan to contribute to worthy causes and act as a liaison to further their missions.
Your support in the journey would mean the world to me and help me achieve the financial obligation by the September 30, 2017.
"SUCCESS ISN'T ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY YOU MAKE. IT IS ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE IN PEOPLE'S LIVES". - MICHELLE OBAMA
Thank you for your prayers and continuous support!
Organizer
Jaz Graham
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA