A new Miss Garden Grove was crowned at the 54th annual Miss Garden Grove and the 10th annual Garden Grove’s Outstanding Teen Pageant on Friday, Aug. 24at the Anaheim Marriot Suites Hotel.
A new Miss Garden Grove was crowned at the 54th annual Miss Garden Grove and the 10th annual Garden Grove’s Outstanding Teen Pageant on Friday, Aug. 24at the Anaheim Marriot Suites Hotel.
Missy Mendoza, a 19-year-old sophomore at California State University, Fullerton majoring in health science, won the $1,000 scholarship award and the title of Miss Garden Grove 2013. Mendoza put on a spectacular vocal rendition of the “The Wizard and I” from the hit Broadway show Wicked during the talent portion, responded to the question on parents being responsible for their children’s obesity issues with amazing poise, and delivered her platform of Prevention and Awareness of Driving under the Influence in a stunning purple evening gown.
She was also awarded the Gloria Conte Congeniality Award, Manny Nunes Talent Award and received the $1,000 Widdicome Memorial Scholarship.
The first runner up to Mendoza was Julia McCurdie, second runner up was Christy Genta, and the third runner up was Robin Suarez.Karina Valdez, a 16-year-old from Pacifica High School, was crowned as Garden Grove’s Outstanding Teen 2013, winning $500 in scholarship awards for the title as well as earning the Manny Nunes Talent Award and the Gloria Conte Congeniality Award. Valdez performed a marvelous lyrical dance routine to India Arie’s “Beautiful Flower,” answered the question about allowing professional athletes in the Olympic games with ease, and spoke about self image in her platform while wearing a gorgeous blue evening gown. The first runner up is Payton Rice and second runner up was Isabella Garcia.
This year’s theme was “Bring it On” based on the cheerleading movie of the same name. The Miss Garden Grove contestants became known throughout the competition as the “Varsity” squad, and outstanding teen contestants were the “Junior Varsity.”
The girls were judged on talent, private interview/platform, lifestyle and physical fitness (sportswear for the JV), eveningwear, and an on-stage question, each category garnering a percentage of total points to decide the overall winners. Separate qualifications including academic success, an essay, and platform topics were considered for the scholarships awarded.
The pageant is run by the Miss Garden Grove Scholarship Organization and hosted by Executive Director and Producer Stacy Margolin. The pageant events were primarily run by Miss Garden Grove 2012 Bree Morse, Outstanding Teen 2012 Jazmin Avalos, and the Mistress of Ceremonies Lauren Howard Brown, a former Miss Garden Grove from 2009 who donned a Sue Sylvester (the cheerleading coach from the TV show Glee) tracksuit and wig during her hostess duties.
Morse and Avalos also performed dance routines as part of the entertainment during the event. Guest appearances included visiting titleholders from other cities, past Miss Garden Grove and outstanding teen winners, as well as Miss California 2012 Leah Cecil, and a dance routine by The Guardettes of Orange County.
Cecil, a former Miss Garden Grove, also showcased her harp playing talents to conclude the first half of the pageant. Notable attendees included Mayor Bill Dalton of Garden Grove and Rick Ross of Garden Grove Elks Lodge #1952.
