Miss California Day 8- Friday June 26th

Here are some fun pictures from "Behind the Curtain"!

I was thinking about keeping my hair exactly as is...

Practicing on the "piano" backstage

Evening Wear Competition

I am tired, so there is not much time to update everyone! We had to record our talent introductions for the top 12 this morning. I cried because I sound so horrible. I think I realized that as much as I had prayed, my voice would not be joining me that night. I finally threw my hands up and told myself it didn’t matter. The judges heard my real voice on Tuesday so I’m sure they would remember I normally don’t sound like I have been a lifelong smoker! I was the last one to be recorded and I just wanted to get it over with, so while other girls spent a long time huddled in corners scribbling something to say, I walked into the room and started talking and then said, “okay, that works! Thank you!” and walked out.

I opened up my two notes from my ED Stephanie Schutt and my Grandma Vicki. Each gave me a note for every day I have been at the competition and they really lifted my spirits today. I appreciated them every day, but especially today because I have been feeling kind of down- mostly because I am not feeling well!

I was very proud of myself for on stage question. I was asked what I was most looking forward to on President Obama’s agenda. I said (something along the lines of) I was looking forward to universal healthcare, but first I had some questions I wanted him to answer before he had my full support, including how he will screen for doctor quality, and also how he plans to protect patient confidentiality. I said once my questions were answered I could support him and we could be on our way to a proactive system. I had some claps from the audience, too. As a pre-med student I had SOOOO many other things to say about Universal Healthcare, but as any contestant could agree it is nerve wracking to stand in front of such a large crowd, knowing you are being graded and judged, and trying to say something intelligent! I kept telling myself, breathe, smile, speak. All in all, I was satisfied with my answer. I think we all come off and say, “I wish I would have said…” or “I wished I would have added…”, but I did what I did, and I was SO relieved that the competition was OVER!

At the visitation after, Bob distributed several awards, including my rookie ED, Stephanie Schutt, and two other rookie ED’s who also happen to hold a VERY special spot in my heart, Rachelle King (Gavilan Hills) and Laura Johnson (San Jose). We also received some devastating news. Jane Maxwell, who I had gotten to know very well through Miss Sacramento, had passed away earlier that day. There are no words of consolation any of us can offer to April Smith and the Sacramento committee, but I hope they know my heart goes out to them and they are in my heart and prayers during this very difficult time. I had to fight back tears because I can personally attest that I was fortunate to have been blessed with Jane’s incredible and amazing personality and experience part of her commitment and dedication to the Miss California Organization. It is women who truly believe in this organization that keep us running and she will forever be a part of our memories.

Of course, and congrats to Friday nights preliminary winners, Megan Lyne for talent (double prelim winner, you go girl!) and Kristy Cavinder for evening wear! Hey, at least I got to go BEFORE Kristy in evening gown, she is stunningly beautiful. Summer really worked her talent, too. I was such a proud roommate. I ran down from the backstage dressing room to watch her flirt with the audience in her sassy jazz ballet en point. I am looking forward to tomorrow and seeing what the judges have in store for us! Wonderful job ladies!!!

Miss California Day 7- Thursday June 25th

John Cosby and I at the visitation
After I won Preliminary Talent
Piano picture 1-
Piano picture 2-
I was obviously SO excited! I think I am most proud of this award!
Part of my fan club: Woods cheering on Team Harvey
Ernie Koneck, Executive Director of Miss Hollywood/ President of PPA and I
Me and Melissa Chatty Miss California 2007
Incredible Mary McCaman and I at visitation. If you like anything I am wearing, it is ALL from Mary's closet!
My pageant mom... my wonderful boyfriend of almost 7 years Ryan and I
Me and amazing Joyce, my "ex" ED! Beautiful inside and out. She always cheers me on!
Stephanie and I sharing a special moment to celebrate my Preliminary Talent Award!
Coming in with food, naturally.



I had my talent tonight, and I WON PRELIMINARY TALENT! I cried, actually cried, when they called me. I have never been so shocked. Never, ever, ever. I know how hard I worked, but really? Me?? With SOOO many phenomenal talents?! Wow. I am floored, humbled, honored, ecstatic, and more excited than I have EVER been. In my opinion, I could go home tonight happy and content with no other awards. Stephanie, my ED, was sooooo worth it above anything else! She literally jumped from her seat possibly a few feet into the air and was jumping up and down. I felt a sense of pride because I have wanted to make her proud since day 1. Of course I want to do well for myself, but she has done so much for Summer, Brittany, and me that she deserves some kind of reward! Almost my whole family was there too. It was so fun to look out and see my family holding my signs just hollering with joy. It was possibly one of the best moments I have ever experienced in my life. I have no voice- not exaggerating either- no voice whatsoever. So when I went to the center of the stage I let out a little squeal of a thank you to the judges and then I shut my mouth because I didn’t want them to hear my voice like that! I need to save it so I have it tomorrow for on stage question! My roommate Summer had swimsuit and she looked incredible. She has worked so hard and it really showed off! She is a beautiful person inside and out and we have had a lot of fun together so far. As I sit here writing this I realize how fortunate I am to be surrounded by so many fantastic and loving people!

I wanted to congratulate our other Preliminary Winner, Kate Brewster, who won Top Evening Wear. What a sweet, humble, and genuinely nice girl. I was honored to share the experience with her! So, again, Congrats Kate!

Miss California Day 6- Wednesday June 24th

Opening Number: I'm in the 2nd rown, 3rd from the right- Hair-o-graphy and all

Megan, Tricia, and I at Visitation #1

Tonight I had swimsuit… the easiest of all competition! It was such a fun day, mostly rehearsal, but we had SO much time to get ready. Season said we are a “smart” group because we all have our routines down well. So she was in a generous mood and let us out early! I was so thrilled. I took some time to take a nap. Because I am full-blown sick now. I feel so tired and lethargic. I don’t even want to move! My family knows me, though; I rarely get sick, but when I do, I fall HARD!

The words of our opening number:
“There's only two types of people in the world
The ones that entertain, and the ones that observe
Well baby, I'm a put-on-a-show kinda girl
Don't like the backseat
Gotta be first
(Oh..)

I'm like the ringleader, I call the shots (Call the shots)
I'm like a firecracker, I make it hot
When I put on a show...

I feel the adrenaline moving through my veins
Spotlight on me and I'm ready to break
I'm like a performer, the dancefloor is my stage
Better be ready, hope that you feel the same”

This song really gets us pumped up before the show! We have a great spirit backstage with all the girls. We laugh and cheer each other on. It really is like a sisterhood. I practiced my talent a little and I’m off to bed now!

After the show, we all went back to the Radisson Hotel where our family was waiting for us. Each girl gets her own “table” and your committee or family decorates them. It was so fun to see my table. My theme was “Queen of the Jungle!” Everyone who worked on it did a fabulous job. Even Laura, Miss San Jose’s ED pitched in her efforts, too! I had the BEST table of all 55 girls. But, then again, I am a little biased. I feel so loved and so blessed with so much support, I feel like I am beaming so bright NASA might see me from space.

Also, before I head out, a VERY special congratulations to our wonderful preliminary winners from tonight! Brittney Henry won talent with her adorable rendition of “Orange Blossom Special” on the fiddle- what a littler performer this girl is! And Megan Lyne, who looked stunning in a white gown for evening wear. Both very deserving young women! Also, again maybe I am biased but my roomie Summer did wonderful, too, and she must have been a close 2nd! ;)

Stephanie and "her girls": Brittany, me, and Summer

Miss California Day 5- Tuesday June 23rd

I had my interview this morning and I am VERY pleased with it! I hate it when girls come back and gloat about how wonderful their interview went, so I just said I was very happy with myself when I came back. The judges were SO nice and personable. I felt like this was the best panel (as a whole) I have ever interviewed with. They were engaged in my conversation, and were asking follow up questions after I spoke, and “piggy-backing” off of each other (as they call it) which means they would elaborate on a question another judge asked. But they all were so knowledgeable about so many things, and you would think I would have been nervous, especially standing in front of Patty Northrup, who as my family knows, I am a HUGE fan of, and even Tiffany Stoker Madsen who is stunningly just gorgeous.

I worked REALLY hard to prepare myself for today, so I am pleased with my result. Mock interviews, searching CNN.com and FOXnews.com late at night because I don’t have TV, current event “discussions” with friends and family, and pages and pages of notes that I have written down of interesting thoughts, concepts, events… it all added up to today and I am pleased with myself that this was not something I crammed for the night before. I can say I am proud because I did this- for me. Oh, and I should mention I am sick. A cold. Of course. My nose has been so runny all day. I think I am most irritated because I have done EVERYTHING right this year! I have gotten plenty of sleep, I have drank lots of water, I have been on a multivitamin, I have eaten healthy… yet I still got a cold. I think it is more due to the fact I am around so many girls- and a few of them are sick, too. We just have to make the best of it! Today was just rehearsal, lunch, rehearsal, dinner, rehearsal, bed. And that is where I am headed! But, first, while most girls are probably going to go to bed, I am going to practice my talent a few times and maybe do some scales and arpeggios to keep my fingers loose, and THEN practice the opening production in front of a mirror. YES, while other girls are sleeping, I will be in the bathroom making sure I don’t mess up tomorrow night. Girls can laugh at me all they want- I am doing this, no matter how long it takes me and how I have to get there. At least I get an A for effort.

Miss California Day 4- Monday June 22nd

I don’t have much time to talk about today (no, actually I don’t have enough energy), so here is a quick briefing:
We went to a Rotary Lunch in downtown Fresno, and when we got off the bus we walked across a street that had just been paved, and all of our heels sunk into the new asphalt! It looked like deer crossing! It was hilarious; it was like 55 “heel” signatures. I found out later that the bottom of my shoe actually got stuck in it and they were my swimwear production shoes, so I will have to get them fixed! Bummer! Girls started their interviews today. This is the worst time for me personally, because I know everyone is curious as to what was asked, but I am really following Stephanie’s advice and I am trying to just keep to myself and stay focused. When girls start saying which questions they asked them, I start losing focus and I start to worry about those specific items, so I am listening to my I-pod a lot! I hear the judges are very warm and welcoming, so hopefully they stay that way for us tomorrow! I have swimsuit first, which I am very happy about! Now, I just need to get through my interview tomorrow and then the week will REALLY go fast!

Miss CA Day 3

Ahhh, yes. Back to the REAL Miss California style. Today was a LONG day. I didn't know why everyone was so excited rehearsals were cancelled yesterday! Because that just meant today we would have to make up for everything we missed! And that is exactly what we did! We rehearsed for the entire day. We had an hour break for lunch. This would be the perfect time to remind you that Patti and Bernie take WONDERFUL care of us backstage as “culinary directors” and always have so much food for us eat and plenty of snacks for us to much on. They are remarkable and so sweet.

It’s FATHER’S DAY! We were all happy to spend the day with our pseudo father, Bob, since we couldn’t be with our own families. He’s a great substitute! The hostesses were nice enough to let us call family, or whoever we needed to for father’s day. Cell phones are banned from the theater, so naturally everyone had one on them to make a surprise cell phone allowance announcement. Typical of every year! Okay, so I am slightly kidding, but at least people brought one and kept them off in the dressing rooms so we could make a quick call to let the special people in our lives know we were thinking of them!

We were scheduled for a cocktail party at the Rotary club for heavy hors d'oeuvre and drinks. We ended up having a dance party and it was so much fun letting loose to Grease, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, and other great classics! The Rotarians looked like they were having a good time, too. I think one of the best parts of coming to Miss California is getting to know the girls. I love meeting someone face to face and listening to her talk about her life, family, and dreams. It is so easy to pass jugements off of a picture and profile update on Miss California, and then when I meet these young ladies I am continually blown away by how talented, sincere, kind, and funny they are! I have particularly taken a liking to a few new girls (in addition to my old friends) who I’m sure they know who they are. I think the most memorable moments are ironically those seemingly insignificant moments of laughter, worry, and stories around a meal when you realize you have something in common with another girl. That “me too!” phrase makes you realize you are not alone and there really are other girls in this world that want to make a difference and care about our society. God works in wonderfully mysterious ways! I sat with some wonderful girls at my table. I got to know Cori Coleman and Noelle Freeman better and this was one of the first times I really had a one on one conversation with them. Hannah Shaw sat with us, too, and she kept us entertained with her spunky personality. The story of how she met her fiancé was so hysterical. You have to ask her about it if you ever meet her! I just remember sitting there looking around thinking, gosh these girls are so pretty and so nice! What a combination!

After the cocktail party we were… (of course)… BACK TO REHEARSAL! Luckily, somehow I think He heard my prayers and the “white” group basically watched the other two groups of girls rehearse and stage the upcoming show. Season, our producer, is amazing. We work with her and our two production assistants, Andiee and Rochelle. I am a horrible choreographed dancer, so I really had to pay extra attention to the steps. It’s not that I am a “bad” dancer, I am an excellent wedding dancer and Friday night dancer, but not a “5,6,7,8 hip, hip, hands” kind of dancer. I just forget the moves! By the time I remember what comes next, I’ve already missed it! I just have to practice a little extra, and there are a few girls who have been great about helping me. Miss Oakland, Sophia Andrade, and Miss City of Orange, Noelle Freeman, and Miss Sonoma County, Kim Stout, have been so gracious and sweet about helping me. I even recorded the production number so I could practice on my own! I felt so silly! But I would rather feel silly now than look like a fool on stage!

The hostesses committee has been magnificent as well. They make sure we are WELL fed and well rested too. They are constantly reminding us to take care of ourselves, and offering their ears and support. As you all know, I LOVE hugs, so when my family is in short supply, they are quick to give me a world class hug and really mean it! Wonderful, selfless, generous people. I hope I am as altruistic and loving as they are when I grow up. More people should aspire to be like our volunteers here in California. I am exhausted, so I am going to sleep! Until next time!

All my love, Jenna