The tradition continues this Sunday, March 10, as Joy Knepper, the current Miss Seal Beach will crown her successor.
In addition, a new Miss Teen Seal Beach and a Little Miss Seal Beach will also be chosen.
The Miss Seal Beach Pageant 2013 will be held at 4 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Los Alamitos High School, 3591 Cerritos Ave., Los Alamitos.
This is the second year that Rosie Ritchie of Seal Beach has coordinated the event as its director. Ritchie, a former first runner up in the Miss Seal Beach Pageant, brought the pageant back after about a year’s hiatus after Seal Beach resident Barbie Meyer had run it for about two decades.
Ritchie’s daughter Riley has also served for a year in the Miss Seal Beach Court after being named a Junior Miss Seal Beach.
She said this year’s pageant is expected to be a spectacular show.
“We are pleased to announce that David Moellenkamp, the award-winning director of seven choirs at Los Alamitos High School, will be our emcee,” Ritchie said. “His combined choirs boast of close to 400 performers who have been recognized numerous times for their outstanding performances.”
Meanwhile, the Los Alamitos Boy Choir, that goes by the name Xtreme, will perform “Seal Beach Girl,” a takeoff on the popular 1980’s song “Jesse’s Girl” that became a hit as sung by 80’s heartthrob of the day, Rick Springfield.
The Friday Night Lights Cheer Squad will provide more entertainment. Also, Lorraine Putits, manager of Chase bank in Seal Beach will present Miss Seal Beach and Miss Teen Seal Beach with the first Chase Award that will include a scholarship.
This year’s pageant will contain three categories: Miss Seal Beach, Miss Teen Seal Beach and Little Miss Seal Beach.
Competing for Miss Seal Beach are Jessica Jenkins, Hannah Corbin, Kendra Knight and Claire Draskovich.
Miss Teen Seal Beach contestants include Savannah Finch, Celeste MacFarlane, Kelly Scoville, Shelby Snyder, and Shilah Shurki.
Chelsea Linton, and Chloe Bruyelle are in the running for Little Miss Seal Beach.
Doors will open at 3 p.m. and the program starts at 4 p.m. There is open seating and tickets are $15 and will be available at the door.
Ritchie discussed her excitement about the pageant on Sunday and what the experience brings to girls who compete in it.
“This past year has been a great experience for the girls, we have monthly meeting where we invite special guest speakers,” she said. “They are often prominent figures within the community who share their personal climb through their careers making goals and reaching them. Some of our guests include Jill Ingram (City Manager), Chuck Hauff (Partner of Snell and Wilmer), Lorraine Putits (Manager, Chase Bank), Jo Dawson (Studio Cafe at SBTV-3). It’s been good for the girls as they’ve heard first hand the stories that have lead each to where they are today.”
“They are ambassadors of our community,” Ritchie said. “This organization and the pageant brings these amazing young women in our midst to the forefront.”
Ritchie said she was proud of this year’s Miss Seal Beach Court for the appearances it made at such events as the Seal Beach Chamber of Commerce’s Summer Concert Series and having the girls volunteer at the Thanksgiving Dinner for people who might spend the holiday alone, as well as visits and engaging those less fortunate.
“We are very proud that for this last Seal Beach Christmas Parade the Miss Seal Beach Court was for the first time in history invited to be the junior grand marshals,” Ritchie said.
For many of the girls involved in the pageant, it’s just the start of them getting involved in their community and the greater world around them.
“All of the girls think they will be able to take this experience and use it in the future for how they conduct themselves in job interviews and other ways,” Ritchie said. “It has given them the confidence they need to be in corporate America.” We are still taking applications for all age groups. Participation is great for self esteem as the girls for a twelve month period serve as ambassadors of the City of Seal Beach supporting business’s and community events.
Each girl will receive over 100 hours of community service hours at the end of her reign. It’s also very impressive on college/job resumes. Each young women will walk away with the ability to speak, present and conduct themselves in a corporate environment.
This years winner will have a six month paid internship with the Law Firm of Westrup Klick.
Lorraine Putits, manager of Chase bank in Seal Beach will present Miss Seal Beach and Miss Teen Seal Beach with the first Chase Award that will include a scholarship.
For more information, visit the website: rosieritchie.com or call (562) 810-0078.
