Crowning Success : Pageant Strikes Balance Between Looks and Talent, but Competition Still Takes a Toll

It’s Monday, May 2, and Irene Panossian, 21, sits on a sofa in the home of Pageant Director Mickey Stueck, waiting for the other Miss Moorpark contestants to arrive.

Panossian is following the lead of her younger twin sisters who entered the pageant last year. She figures this will help build confidence, something she says she’ll need when she becomes an entertainment lawyer.

Contestants arrive in spurts for the 7:30 p.m. orientation. There’s Stephanie. Cheyenne. Jessica. Julie. Everyone knows Julie. To those in this circle, Julie may as well be royalty. Actually, she is royalty.

Julie Owen is the reigning Miss Moorpark. She is dressed casually in black jeans, a white shirt, a checked vest and no crown. Becky Bryan, Miss Teen Moorpark, arrives a little later. She is more immediately distinguishable, wearing her Miss Teen sash.

Nine of the 10 contestants, four moms, one dad, two defending champions, Stueck, and two pageant photographers are present for this first step toward the May 21 Miss Moorpark/Miss Moorpark Teen Queen Pageant 1994. The pageant, sponsored by Women of Moorpark Enjoying Networking (W.O.M.E.N.), is open to contestants age 13-16 (teens) and 16-22 (misses).

The primary purpose of the meeting is to acquaint the contestants with the “Handbook of Rules and Regulations.” Many of the young women are already familiar with the drill--four of the five would-be Miss Teens have been here before.

Contestants can’t have criminal records or have used illegal substances. They are not allowed to smoke in public. They cannot consume alcohol. They must always be on time to Miss Moorpark events and meetings, or give advance notice explaining an absence or lateness.

And as for the evening gowns, Stueck says, “Feel good in it.” But, “teens can’t wear solid black or strapless.”

Bryan has been helping to organize the event, but on this night she and Owen are there for support.

“Just go in with a clear mind and have a good time,” Owen tells the assembled group. “Last year I didn’t think I had a chance, but my personality came out. It wasn’t my looks. It wasn’t my dress. It was my personality. And if you don’t walk away with the crown, it doesn’t matter.”

“Be yourself,” says Bryan. “That’s what’s going to get it for you. Only one of you will have the crown, but all of you will be winners.”

Change of Attitude

Considering Stueck’s long-held opinion of pageants, it’s somewhat unlikely that she is directing one. “I had a very negative attitude toward pageants all of my life,” she said. “I always thought they were meat markets.”

But her experience with a pageant in Oklahoma, where she lived before heading West, changed her mind.

“The emphasis was on the girl as a person, not just as a beauty,” said Stueck. “Pageants aren’t all bad. There’s a lot of good that comes out of them, as long as they’re tempered in the right direction.”

So Stueck became the Moorpark pageant director five years ago, after her husband Jim volunteered her for the position.

Stueck immediately made some changes in the pageant, so that intelligence and personality are the qualities emphasized over looks. She instituted a test of written communication skills to be included in the overall evaluation. Grade-point averages are also factored in. She didn’t stop there.

“When I took over I did away with the bathing suit competition immediately,” said Stueck. “I don’t think of the pageant as a ‘beauty’ pageant. I feel very strongly that we do young people, girls especially, a disservice when we have a standard that says looks will get you everything.”

Friendly Competitors

It’s Saturday, May 7, the pageant’s traditional mother/daughter luncheon at the home of Moorpark Mayor Paul Lawrason and his wife, Connie. The guests arrive in spring attire--lots of floral prints. They are seated at three circular tables.

At the third table back from the front door sits Cheyenne Ritchie and her mother Becky, Renee Kinnan and her mother Val, and Stephanie Sill. The girls, all students at Moorpark High School, are good friends.

Most of the pageant contestants are friends. In fact, 14-year-olds Jessica Devers and Laurel Heitzman, seated at another table, have been best friends since last year’s pageant.

“We’re inseparable,” says Heitzman.

Of the three girls at the back table only Cheyenne, 16, is a repeat contestant. She says she isn’t nervous. “We just get all excited trying to get to the finish,” she says.

Stephanie, at 17, is the oldest of the girls at the table. She will graduate this year and in the fall plans to enter Moorpark College’s teaching program. She says her stage experience will come in handy in the pageant.

“I’m on stage all the time,” she says. “I’m in the chorus, I’m a cheerleader, the ASB (student government), I hosted a fashion show.”

Table conversation throughout lunch covers a variety of subjects--moving violations, prom attire, boyfriends, Garth Brooks, more Garth Brooks.

There is talk of the American flag. Renee, 14, will deliver a monologue on it, accompanied by the “Star Spangled Banner,” for the talent portion of the pageant.

“She has a thing for flags,” says her mother.

“Mickey Mouse and American flags,” says Renee.

Dance Rehearsal

Tuesday, May 17. “We’re late. Let’s do it fast. Let’s press on.” These words are spoken by Pam Rossi, owner of Dance Ten studio where the contestants are rehearsing the opening number for the pageant. The 1940’s-style piece, performed to “In the Mood,” is choreographed and directed by Rossi, an original member of television’s Solid Gold Dancers.

The pageant is less than a week off and the dancing is still shaky.

“We know the dance,” 15-year-old Karen Blum reassures Rossi.

The seven contestants who show up for the rehearsal--several are missing because of school exams--prove Karen right. Steps are higher. Bounces are bouncier. Maybe too bouncy. “I feel the Taco Bell bouncing around,” says Cheyenne. “Here comes the chicken burrito.”

Rossi has been through this before. She’s made guest appearance in national teen pageants, and was runner-up to Miss San Luis Obispo 1975. She knows what the judges will be looking for. At one critical point of the opening dance, where the contestants come together in pairs for their first pageant poses, Rossi makes a suggestion.

“Don’t touch each other. Just do a pose--otherwise you look like you’re drunk or something,” she says. “You’ve got to remember, when you’re on stage you are representing yourself. If you don’t do good on a pose, nobody is going to look at you.”

Rehearsal ends with an encouraging word from Rossi and hugs from Miss Moorpark.

Royal Ambition

At age 18, the reigning queen Julie Owen seems mature beyond her years. Throughout the pageant rehearsals she has served as a big sister.

As she prepares to give up her Miss Moorpark crown--something she said she is “ready” to do--Owen begins readying herself for the upcoming Miss Thousand Oaks pageant. Simply for the challenge.

“I do it purely for the competition. I like the rush. I’m very much of a competitor, but I do it well. If I lose, it bothers me, but not to the point that I hate the other contestants. I’m proud of them,” says Owen, who also won the 1991 Miss Teen and Miss Congeniality honors in Moorpark. “I like the spotlight. When I got out of high school I was no longer in the spotlight.”

If she wins the Thousand Oaks pageant, Owen will advance to the state level. But she is determined to go well beyond that.

“My ultimate goal is, by age 30, to be Miss Fitness USA,” she says. “I mountain bike ride and I have a personal trainer. I told him my goal and he said we’ll do what it takes.”

Passing the Scepter

While Owen seems, for the most part, to take her un-crowning in stride, the 17-year-old Bryan openly shows her letdown.

“It’s sad. I had so much fun this year,” she says. “I used to look up to beauty queens in awe. I’d say, ‘I want to be that some day.’ This year I got a chance to speak with a lot of children. It was nice to know that I was a positive role model.”

After capturing the Moorpark crown, Bryan finished first runner-up in the Twin Counties pageant and among the top 15 in the Miss Teen California contest. The state pageant differed considerably from the small-town Moorpark contest, she says.

“There were a lot of girls there who had been doing pageants since they were (little.) You can spot them because they’re the ones not being themselves,” she said. “In (the Moorpark) one they are all natural girls. There are no fakes.”

Practice Session

Thursday, May 19, 6:30 p.m. The contestants are rehearsing at the Moorpark Community Center, site of the pageant, for the first time. They remember the place from their younger days.

“Isn’t this where they used to have the dances?” asks Nicole Lawin, 18. Lawin is a dancer who plans to study bioengineering at UC San Diego next fall, when she “straightens out her priorities.”

“It used to be bigger,” says Stephanie.

“We used to be smaller,” says Nicole.

The contestants run through their opening dance on stage. Or they try to. The stage is smaller than the dance studio so adjustments must be made.

After they dance awhile, Stueck gives the contestants some tips for Saturday afternoon’s interview with the three judges, something that will count heavily in determining the overall winners.

Make eye contact. Give a firm handshake. Watch your body language--keep your posture straight, don’t roll your eyes, don’t let your mouth hang open.

On the subject of eye contact Julie says, “I always pick a point above the judges’ heads. It looks like you’re looking at them but you’re not. It makes them feel spppeeeccial.”

As for Christine Nilay, a 20-year-old studying microbiology at UC Santa Barbara, she just plans to take off her glasses when interviewed. “So all I see is a fuzzy sea of eyes,” she says.

Following a pizza break--and talk of cellulite and acne--the contestants run through the entire show, which includes much practicing of the all-important “pageant stance”--body at a slight angle to judges, arms casually hanging at side, front knee bent.

Soon the talents are unveiled.

Karen sings “This is Dedicated to the One I Love.”

Jessica, whom Stueck described as a wallflower who blossomed at last year’s pageant, dances to “Rockin’ Robin.” “Last year I was nervous,” says Jessica. “I even lied about my age during the introductions . . . but not intentionally. This year I’ll do my best. If I don’t win, I don’t win.”

Laurel sings “Put on a Happy Face.”

Kim Isaac does an offbeat monologue called “My Blankey,” which seems to mesmerize the other contestants.

Renee does a dramatic reading of “Our Flag.”

Cheyenne gives an emotional rendering of Winona Judd’s “My Strongest Weakness.” “You made a tear form in my eyeball,” says Owen. “I puddled.”

Lawin dances to “Under Pressure,” by Boyz II Men.

Nilay plays the piano and sings “On My Own.”

Panossian performs a Beethoven medley on piano.

Stephanie sings Garth Brooks’ “The River.”

Then it’s on to evening gown practice, for which sneakers and socks are replaced by high heels. “I really need nylons for this,” says Jessica. “And I just tore mine off.”

Last-Minute Jitters

Parents mingle in the auditorium lobby while the contestants ready themselves behind closed doors. Some mothers make 11th-hour clothing drops.

It’s May 21, pageant night, and nearly three weeks of intense preparation will culminate in less than three hours.

In the lobby the guests file in. Miss Thousand Oaks arrives, all glittery. Miss California USA, Toay Foster, whose mother is a judge, is expected.

Bryan is reminded to breathe deeply as she paces back and forth.

At 7:40 p.m., with the audience seated, the room goes dark. And the pageant begins. Contestants march on stage for their opening dance. Every one of them is smiling, as Rossi ordered. Cameras flash here and there.

As the pageant proceeds, the parking lot to the side of the stage becomes the contestants’ waiting area. The side mirrors of a car are used for last second make-up checks.

Throughout the evening there are countless crossed fingers and high-fives as contestants root for and congratulate one another. Before long it’s talent time. The pageant is moving fast. Karen sits on a stool near the parking lot, waiting to sing. She’s looking tense.

“Someone give me a hug,” she says. Stueck, who is handing out words of encouragement and directing traffic with her husband, is the first to respond. But not the last. The stool quickly becomes a pile of wrapped arms.

Karen is the first on stage for the question-and-answer portion of the contest. If you had to lose one of your senses, which would you chose? She explains that she would choose her sense of smell, so she wouldn’t have to smell all the terrible things.

At the conclusion of competition, a nervous Stueck heads for a conference room with Robert Duclos, a local CPA who’s quick on the adding machine. The contestants, back in the dressing rooms, await the tabulation of the judges’ ballots.

“This is the tense part,” says Stueck. Both competitions are too close to call. Stueck says she’s been invited to a contestant slumber party where she will present them all with crowns from Burger King. “I’ve said, even if they don’t walk away with the crown, they are all queens.”

When the winners have been determined, the contestants and reigning queens are summoned.

“I don’t want to give this up,” says Bryan.

“Steph, good luck if you win,” says Nicole.

Bryan and Owen, battling with their tears, give their farewell presentations. And then it’s time for the big announcement. The winners are . . .

Miss Congeniality: Stephanie Sill.

Miss Teen Moorpark: Jessica Devers.

And Miss Moorpark: Stephanie Sill.

As the onslaught of photos ensues, and a year of public appearances gets under way, Karen, Most Photogenic Teen, leaves the stage.

“Oh my God,” she says. “Thank God it’s over.”

Where to Compete

Every local ribbon-cutting, parade and festival seems to include an appearance by one Miss Pageant Queen or another. There is certainly no shortage of them in Ventura County. Here’s a run-down of some of the area pageants, just so there’s no Miss Understanding:

Miss Channel Islands Cities--July 9 at Buena High School auditorium, Ventura, 7 p.m. Categories: Pre-Teen (11-14), Teen (14-18), Miss (18-26). Deadline to enter: June 21. Open to residents of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, and the Malibu area. Call 483-8448.

Miss Ojai--July 29 at Libbey Bowl, Ojai, 7 p.m. Categories: Pre-Teen (11-14), Teen (14-16), Miss (16-24). For the guys, there is also a category called Male Model (16-24). All are open to residents of the Ojai Valley. Entries accepted through mid-July. Call 646-0076.

Miss Thousand Oaks--July 30 at Ascension Lutheran Church, Thousand Oaks, 7:30 p.m. Categories: Young Miss (8-11), Young Teen (12-14), Teen (14 1/2-17), Miss (17 1/2-25). Open to residents of Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Deadline: July 20. Call 495-0683.

Miss Simi Valley--Sept. 25 at the Clarion Hotel, Simi Valley, 6 p.m. Official pageant of Simi Valley Days. Categories: Tiny Tots (girls and boys age 5-7), Junior Miss (8-10), Pre-Teen (11-13), Teen (14-17), Miss (18-26). Open to residents of east Ventura County. Call 496-4839.

Miss Twin Counties--In the fall. Categories: Young Miss (8-11), Young Teen (12-14), Teen (14 1/2-17), Miss (17 1/2-25). Open to residents of Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Call 495-0683.

Miss Oxnard--Nov. 5 at the Oxnard Civic Auditorium, 7 p.m. Categories: Teen (15-17), Miss (18-25). Open to those who live, go to school or work full-time in Oxnard. Call 385-8147.

Miss Westlake/Agoura--Most likely the second Sunday of November, at the Goebel Senior Center, Thousand Oaks. Categories: Tiny Tots (girls and boys age 5-7), Junior Miss (8-10), Pre-Teen (11-13), Teen (14-17), Miss (18-26). Open to residents of east Ventura County and part of Los Angeles County. Call 496-4839.

Miss Ventura County--Probably in early 1995. Categories: Teen (14 1/2-18), Miss (18-26). Call 483-8448.

Miss Camarillo Scholarship Pageant--Second weekend of March. Open to contestants 15 1/2 to 21 living in Camarillo. Call 484-5434.

Miss Conejo Valley Thousand Oaks USA--Second or third weekend of April at the Goebel Senior Center, Thousand Oaks. Official pageant of Conejo Valley Days. Categories: Tiny Tot (girls and boys age 5-7), Junior Miss (8-10), Pre-Teen (11-13), Teen (14-17), Miss (18-26). Open to residents of east Ventura County. Call 496-4839.

Miss Fillmore--Fourth weekend of April at Veterans Memorial Building, Fillmore. Categories: Teen (13-17, but not a senior in high school) and Miss (seniors in high school). Open to those living within the Fillmore Unified School District. Call 524-0351.