Hail to the king -- Mr. California USA 2008

R.J. Horvatin III, 7, tries on a mustache backstage to the amusement of Jr. Teen Miss Seal Beach Nikki Gonzalez, right. The Mr. California USA contestants were divided into four categories: Little Mr., ages 5 to 8; Junior Mr., 9 to 12; Teen Mr., 13 to 17; and Mr., ages 18 to 25.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

During some down time in the dressing room, contestants Elijah Keith, right, R.J. Horvatin III, and Junior Mr. Seal Beach 2007 Nicholas Tudor, left, look on as the reigning Little Mr. Seal Beach 2007 Garrett Quimby plays a video game before the formal wear competition.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Little Mr. Seal Beach 2007 Garrett Quimby waits anxiously at side stage, flanked by his sisters Kaitlin, left and Kendra. Like their female counterparts, Mr. California contestants were judged in personal interviews, casual wear, formal wear and onstage questions.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Maryam Ahmadinia, the 2007 Miss Seal Beach pageant winner, directs Quimby as he handles a selection of random questions to be picked and answered by this year’s contestants, including Elijah Keith, 7, left. Ahmadinia is the daughter of Mr. California USA pageant founder Sarah Ahmadinia, and the emcee of this year’s event.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Teen Mr. California USA contestant Knathan Rivera channels Michael Jackson as he dances to a medley of his music during the talent portion of the program. Participation in the talent portion was voluntary and was not considered in awarding titles.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Teen Mr. California USA contestant Cyrus Mohseni, 14, delivers a rap performance during the talent competition. Last year’s pageant drew 35 initial participants, but later dwindled to 14. This year’s field began with 22, which gradually whittled down to a dozen contestants ages 7 to 22.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Mr. California USA winner Jeremy Buraglia totes a load of trophies and sashes as he leaves the contest site. “It’s exciting,” he said of the win. “I’m ready. I think I won because I’m outside the box.”  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Junior Mr. California USA contestant Bernard Ramifard heads to the dressing room during competition at Cal State Long Beach’s Martha B. Knoebel Theater.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)