Wow, I can hardly believe it has been two weeks since the Miss Marin County 2011 Scholarship Program. I remember four months ago, buying a large calendar and posting it on my apartment wall with the date of the program, November 14, 2010, circled real big so I could remind myself of the big day. I remember friends coming over and saying, "that's so far away!" and then all of a sudden it was here.
Through rehearsals at Michele's and the day of the program, this has truly been an incredible experience. I know every program is run differently and I have to say, Michele's rehearsals won the favorite spot because she fed us every weekend and the food was amazing! I don't know how to cook really well but I love to eat so anyone willing to feed me wins my heart real fast.
Below I wanted to share some pictures from the program taken by Gabino Lopez, my best friend in the whole world. Thanks for your incredible pictures, I love you very much!
For Opening Number we danced to Katy Perry's "California Girls" and thank goodness this part isn't judged! I have two left feet and it took me a little practice to learn it. What I did wrong was practice too much in flats so the minute I got on-stage in my high heels, I felt like a new born calf. The ladies did such a great job because when I forgot something, I would glance over and they would always be doing the right moves. It was such a cute number and so much fun to perform!
On-Stage Question was our first phase of competition and was worth 5% of our overall score. What I loved the most about this part was that we were first asked a question on our platform and then an on-stage question. My platform is "The Power of Positive Thinking" and it was so nice to have the opportunity to share my goals for my promoting my platform with the audience. It was neat because I could see my grandma from the stage and she was smiling from ear to ear the whole time. It made me feel at ease because I was a bit nervous and I was happy to see her there. For my on-stage question, I was asked whether or not we should still invest money in Space Programs (not the exact words but close...).
Talent was next and was worth 35% of our overall score. For my performance, I sang "Fever" in the style of Peggy Lee.
Lifestyle and Fitness in Swimsuit followed and is worth 15% of our overall score.
Finally the last phase...Evening Wear! It is worth 20% of our overall score and in the beginning, we were escorted by our "Little Sisters" and they looked beautiful! My Little Sister was Bella and she did a wonderful job and when she was about to leave stage, she even did a curtsy! I have to ask her how to do one of those since I have never learned how to do that before.
While we were anxiously waiting backstage, Laura Jones, the beautiful, talented and fun Miss Marin County 2010 was giving her Farewell. She did such an amazing job as Miss Marin County 2010 and I have some big shoes to fill! She also wore the aqua blue dress she wore for evening wear at Miss California 2010 where she represented our county so well.
We were then brought back to the stage while the talented Caryn sang for our audience and she sang beautifully!
When I was announced Miss Marin County 2011, it was such an amazing feeling and looking back now, I think I may have squeezed Laura really hard because I was so excited!
My family came to support me and are awesome cheerleaders. From left to right is my brother Jeff, my mommy, Grandpa, Grandma, Tia Rosa and cousin Yvette (also Miss Solano's Outstanding Teen!)
Here is a picture with my grandparents Pete and Antonia Gonzalez. They are some of the most amazing people you will ever meet and have been married 54 years.
Here are my parents Ana and George Gong. Thank you so much for coming and supporting me! I love you both very very much.
Here we all are! The 2011 Miss Marin County Contestants and we all walked away with scholarships to further our education. Thank you to our committee, our generous sponsors and audience for making all of this possible.
This is going to be an amazing year!
Love,
Sarah
