Citrus queens compete for one state crown

Three Citrus students– Crystal Munoz, Christina Alcaraz and Lauren Smolka– have all won titles in the local scholarship pageants and will be among the approximately 57 other contestants for the state pageant scheduled July 2 through July 11 in Fresno.

Munoz was the first among the three Citrus women involved in the Miss America Organization. At age 17, she competed for the first time in the Miss Azusa Outstanding Teen competition in 2007 and finished as second runner up. She was also named Miss Congeniality.

In 2009, she was crowned Miss Azusa. Most recently in her pageant career she was crowned Miss National Orange Show 2010 at the age of 20.

“Pageants have given me self confidence, poise, ability to communicate well with others and many wonderful friendships,” she said. “I have to admit this organization has helped me grow into the young lady I am today.”

The next of the three to be introduced to the world of pageantry was Miss Azusa 2010: Alcaraz. She received first runner up in 2009 and then went back to compete in the pageant this year and was crowned Miss Azusa on Feb. 6.

“I just know I was shaking and it felt like the longest moment of my life but after the judge called my name I was in tears because I knew all of my hardwork paid off,” she said.

Smolka was the last to become involved in pageantry at the suggestion of both her friend Alcaraz and her mother Susan Smolka, who is also a past Miss Azusa crown holder. She competed in the Miss Covina pageant this year and was crowned Miss Covina 2010.

“The whole experience is continuing to build my self-confidence and pushes me to become more aware of who I am and what I want in my life,” Smolka said. 

Munoz and Alcaraz are both broadcast journalism majors and will both be transferring in the fall, Alcaraz to Pepperdine University and Munoz to Azusa Pacific University. All three women value their time as Citrus students and said their experiences at Citrus have greatly impacted their lives.

“The faculty and staff at Citrus College have all been very supportive of me and all of my accomplishments,” Munoz said. “I am very thankful that Citrus College was one of my sponsors and supported me on my journey to the Miss California Pageant last year.”
Alcaraz also said that her time at Citrus has been a major reason for her success.

“Citrus College is a stepping stone that has allowed me to pursue my dream of graduation from a private university and I would not have the title of Miss Azusa if I had not attended Citrus College,” Alcaraz said. “I could write pages about what the school has done for me.”

Each of the contestants have a platform or cause that they will promote during their time as the queen of their respective city and/or during their time as Miss California if they should win.

“My platform is promoting higher education for economically disadvantaged youth and I plan on  spreading awareness of the many wonderful resources offered by the California Community College System,” Alcaraz said.

Munoz chose child obesity awareness and prevention as her platform and Smolka wants to promote awareness of the dangers of alcohol abuse.

Despite the looming competition, all three women said the competition will not affect their relationship with the other at all because it is really a competition between each contestant and herself.

“I have had to compete with many friends in previous pageants and I have always told myself ‘the only person you’re really competing with on that stage is yourself.’ That is why it’s very important to stay true to yourself and your beliefs,” Munoz said.

“Plus, there are 56 other wonderful girls that would make a great Miss California and it just depends on what the judges are looking for that day,” she said.

The three Miss California hopefuls say they are most looking forward to is spending time with each other and becoming closer

“I am extremely close with Chrisy Alcaraz,” Smolka said. “She is one of my best friends and in the process of prepping for Miss California we have become even closer and Crystal Munoz I met through the Miss Azusa Pageant. She is a very sweet and talented girl.”

“I look forward to spending 10 wonderful days with these girls up at Miss California in July,” she said.

During the Miss California competition, contestants will be divided into four separate groups and each group will compete each of the stages of the competition, physical fitness, evening gown, talent, interview and on stage question.

This takes place from the Saturday that the contestants arrive until Miss California is crowned a week later. The top 12 finalists will be chosen and compete in each of the all of the stages of competition again except for on-stage question and the interview portions.

From the 12, the top five will be chosen and be asked the on-stage question. After that, they will crown the winner.

The Miss California Pageant will take place from July 2 to July 11 at the William Saroyan Theatre in Fresno.