Seal Beach’s shore is a gentle thing of beauty to the mind’s eye. It is a place where people seek harmony amid the rhythm of its waves that are constant as a time watch, softly lapping its sugar brown sands.
The Miss Seal Beach Pageant has a long history of honoring young women of the town and its environs.
Even before there was a pageant, the die was cast. There was something special about the seaside town that attracted a need in the human heart to celebrate its salubrious aspects.
What better way, some people in the past decided, than to have a bathing beauty pageant. It would promote the town and celebrate its healthful and healing powers at the same time.
That was before this millennium – in the the early 1900s. One day back then, a few dozen women lined up for a photo in Seal Beach. It was near the burgeoning town’s Main Street and close to where people would someday build a pier.
The girls dressed in the swimming costumes of the day and they were all beautiful in their own right, even if today we might find their swimming costumes somewhat amusing.
Times have changed, but the tradition of a Seal Beach pageant in the city to celebrate young women carried on for many years.
The most recent incarnation was the Miss Seal Beach Pageant that local resident Barbie Meyer ran like clockwork for a couple of decades. The pageant grew to include many young women in the Seal Beach area and many expressed how the exercise helped them on their way in life.
Just as all things must pass, Meyer announced her retirement last year and without her guidance the pageant did not take place.
However, the dream of the Miss Seal Beach Pageant is now alive and well in the hands of Rosie Ritchie.
Ritchie, a local real estate agent, was a part of the pageant scene and was a part of the Miss Seal Beach court when she was younger. She said she enjoyed entering pageants and that she thinks the experiences helped lead her to a successful life.
Ritchie encouraged her daughter Riley to enter the Miss Seal Beach Pageant. She did and she was crowned the Jr. Miss Seal Beach in the last pageant Meyer ran.
“Riley was sad to hear Barbie announced her intentions to step down from her long running title as pageant director.” Ritchie said. “I understand her need to focus on her mother’s health. My daughter will forever hold the experience Barbie created for very close.”
Riley Ritchie was disappointed to think other girls would not have an opportunity to have such a memorable experience. It was at that time that she asked her mother if they could re-establish the program.
“It’s important for her to see it continue,” Rosie Ritchie said.
Her mother agreed and decided to step into the fray.
“For me, I feel that with my pageant knowledge and backround (Miss Long Beach, Miss Seal Beach, Miss Lakewood, Miss Pales Verde & Miss LA County) will help make it a success. Barbie has so sweetly shared so much of her experience and I feel that together with all of our knowledge and experience, we can bring Miss Seal Beach back.”
At this time the event is scheduled for Saturday, March 3 in the McGaugh Elementary School auditorium in the heart of the seaside city.
The Miss Seal Beach and Junior Miss Seal Beach Contestants must be between the ages of 13—16, Miss Seal Beach contestants must be between the ages of 17—23.
All contestants will be judged on three categories; Evening gown, swimsuit and closed interview where judges will focus on poise, ability to speak, and personality.
All contestants must reside, attend school in or work in the City of Seal Beach.
Contestants must obtain a $300 sponsorship fee (local business, family and/or friends). Sponsors are not required to reside in the City of Seal Beach. Winners are ambassadors of the City and will be required to attend various events throughout the year.
All contestants must commit to community events leading up to the pageant to include television appearances and radio spots.
Any business wanting to donate to our queen and her court may call Rosie at 562.810.0078 or visit rosieritchie.com.
Contestants may pick up applications from 1021 Pacific Coast Highway, Seal Beach or visit Rosieritchie.com and click on Miss Seal Beach.
