On the Town: Pasadena to host Miss California pageants
Pasadena Mayor Bill Bogaard announced that the city of Pasadena has been selected as the new host to the Miss California USA and Miss California Teen USA 2013 Pageants. This is the first time in the history of the pageants that Pasadena will be the host.
On Thursday (Aug. 23) Rusnak Auto Pasadena hosted the press conference during which Bogaard made his announcement. Rusnak is also an official sponsor to the pageant. Elizabeth Rusnak Arizmendi, Rusnak Vice President of Public Relations, was hostess-with-the-mostest for today’s event. She will also be a judge for the 2013 contests.
The reigning, leggy Miss California USA 2012 Natalie Pack and Miss California Teen USA 2012 Alexa Jones were the unquestioned stars of the press conference. Joining them were over 100 out of some 300 of this year’s contestants. One of them was Miss South Pasadena Anavictoria Pumphrey. Pumphrey is a 19-year-old student at Pasadena City College with a double major in architecture and business. As for competing, Pumphrey says, “This is way beyond my comfort zone, but I want to push myself and challenge myself.” She gives mom Angelica credit as her “number one fan.” Pumphrey plans to design luxury homes, airports, hotels and shopping centers. “I can be the next Trump,” boasted Pumphrey.
The pageants are run by Donald Trump’s Miss Universe organization.
A selection of sweets was provided by Rusnak’s official caterer, Karen Mikaelian, owner of the Scarlet Tea Room & Fine Dining in Pasadena. But few of those running for the titles partook of the calorie-laden goodies.
Keith Lewis of K2 Productions, producer of the pageant, announced at the conference that his team visited cities throughout the state and chose Pasadena’s 3,000-seat Civic Auditorium as the site of the pageant. According to Lewis, Pasadena’s beauty in its historical districts was a determining factor in its selection. Keith estimates that the pageants’ audience should generate $3 million for Pasadena’s economy.
The pageants’ prelims and show will take place Jan. 12 and 13.
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Thirty “Women Achievers” can also be called cover girls. They will grace the cover of the next issue of Business Life magazine.
The women representing Glendale, Burbank and Pasadena were introduced at the top of the Glendale Hilton. On Thursday (Aug. 23), as vice president of marketing of the magazine, Greg Krikorian played master of ceremonies as each woman was given her turn in the spotlight to briefly describe her background.
Two of the achievers from Pasadena were Marlene Cooper and Kelly White.
Cooper is an attorney, having received her bachelor of arts in 1975 and a juris doctorate in 1978. She provides legal services preparing trusts, wills, probates, estate plans and trust administration. Cooper is a member of the Pasadena chapter of Link Inc.
White is the chief executive officer of Villa Esperanza Services. Villa Esperanza opened as the first independent day school in 1961 for children with Down syndrome. Today it services 24 school districts and over 41 cities in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. The organization serves a variety of people with a wide variety of disabilities including autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy.
Also announced was a new scholarship in the name of and in memory of Julie Burroughs Shermer. Shermer was most recently fund development coordinator of Glendale’s neighborhood services. The scholarship will go to a college woman in leadership from Glendale, Burbank or Pasadena. The recipient will be announced at the Women Achievers Business & Health Expo in September.
The “Saluting Women Achievers Luncheon,” as part of the Women Achievers Business & Health Expo, will be Sept. 27 also at the Glendale Hilton. It’s expected to be a sellout.
RUTH SOWBY may be reached at ruthasowby@gmail.com.