Miss California Orientation!

Hello again! I just made it home from an amazing whirlwind weekend in Fresno for the Miss California orientation!  I had such an amazing time meeting all of the 57 other girls. I don’t think I will ever cease to be amazed by how many truly talented girls this program crowns each year! Each with their own individual talents and special traits, but most of all how smart they all are!

Day One

Saturday morning started with an early rise to be sure to make breakfast at 7 am. throughout the day we went to all kinds of different workshops.  Such as one for walking, makeup, interview,  talent, and of course to learn all of our dances for the opening number and different phases of competition.  Also, during the day we had the opportunity to go and talk to Bob the director of the Miss California Organization and talk politics. I always find it so interesting to hear other people’s views on the world around us and I love best of all when people make me think. Sometimes in this world it is super easy to accept the things around you and never question them, but I think when you do question your surroundings or the people around you make you question how you feel about one thing or another, that’s when you learn from things. These instances challenge you to step back and really look at the conflicting views of other people and question why you feel a certain way and really think.

After all of our workshops concluded we had a wonderful dinner together and the Miss Santa Clara girls won way way way too many raffle prizes. At the beginning of the raffle Jessa and I were bummed that we weren’t going to win anything, but by the end of the night we had won about 10 prizes from baskets to dresses, so of course we were ecstatic.  After dinner we went to our first production rehearsal, where we learned our opening number. I was super excited to find out that our theme this year is swing, so all of our dances are swing inspired. I think it will be super up beat and fun! A lot of  the dance was challenging, but I’m hoping by June I will be able to keep up. Rehearsals ended late and it was a very long day, but I defiantly had a day that I will never forget. I loved meeting so many new people and challenging my brain in the interviews and my feet in the dances.

Day Two

The next day was another early day with Rehearsals starting at 730am.  I’m hoping that with all the early rising this year with work and Miss California I may finally become a morning person. : ) One can dream right. At rehearsals we learned our walking patterns for Evening gown and swimsuit, and the production dances to go with them. They really did a great job selecting all of the music this year, it is all fabulous and fun.  We then heard a fabulous speech from our current Miss California Noelle Freeman.   Every time she speaks I am so impressed with all of the astonishing things she has done throughout her year. She has really done her best to be as involved in this program and her platform as she can and it has been such a blessing to watch.  She takes everything she does seriously and her role as Miss Santa Clara is a job that she takes very seriously. I love hearing her speak because it inspires me to work harder and go for my goal. Noelle has really paved the way for the next Miss California to have just as special of a year as she did and I’m sure they will feel blessed as well.  Our day ended pretty early, (around 2) so we could all make our way home.  Some had further journeys then others, but it was so nice for us all to come from so far and be together.

I am ecstatic to announce that my roommate for my stay in Fresno will be the gorgeous Miss Delta Valley, Prisca. I met Prisca several years ago when competing at the Miss Gavilian Hills pageant and I am excited to get to spend time with her again and share this great experience with her. Also, each of the 58 girls was split into 4 groups in which we will be competing the different phases of competition with and I am a Delta! Woohoo go Deltas!

I enjoyed myself so much at orientation and love how many truly talented  friends I had the opportunity to make all over the beautiful state of California. Ashley and I were sad to come home, but are very excited for our journey to continue in June. This weekend was the first time that it really set in that I will be up on that huge stage competing with so many other talented women for the title of Miss California. I got to meet her this weekend! Can’t wait to find out who she is! ; )

Hope you enjoyed reading!

XOXO

Caitlin