 Riviera Spa Resort, Palm Springs, Ca
November 23, 2008
Written by Lisa Robyn Lawrence
Photos by Pat Krause and Allen Lawrence
Royalty is Crowned in Palm Springs!
Two new Miss California beauty queens were crowned tonight at the regal Rivera Hotel in Palm Springs. At the culmination of the three day event the top 15 contestants of both pageants were named then the top 10 winners of each pageant were named, then the top 5. The breathless moment that everyone was waiting for all weekend finally had arrived. All of the runner’s-up were named, one-by-one then the new Miss California Teen, USA-2009 and Miss California, USA-2009 were announced and crowned.
 One of our sister cities, Beaumont has bragging rights for being the home of the newest Miss California Teen, USA-2009, the beautiful, Chelsea Gilligan.
La Jolla is the proud home of the radiant and newly crowned, Carrie Prejean the newest Miss California, USA 2009.
The final day’s excitement started with all of the Miss California Teen
contestants coming on stage and introducing themselves followed by all
of the Miss California contestants doing the same. The top 15
semi-finalists of both pageants were announced then all of the
non-semi-finalist contestants of each pageant came back to walk the
runway in their swimsuits. The 15 semi finalists of each pageant then
each walked the runway in their swimsuits for the judges one last time.
The next event was all non-semi-finalist walking the runway in their
evening gowns. The 15 semi-finalists then each walked the runway one
more time in their evening gowns.
At this point the judges announced the top 10 contestants in each
pageant. Then the top 5 contestants were announced. The reigning Miss
USA, Crystle Stewart of Texas was introduced.
 Miss California Producers, Shanna Moakler and Keith Lewis announced a
special award named after the founder of the Miss California Pageant.
The Kelly Saunders Award was given to Andrea Risman and Toni Cortez.
This was followed by all of the contestants in both pageants returning
to the stage and the announcement of special awards began.
The Highest Swimsuit Score Award was given to Miss Greater Ventura County Teen, Liz Anderson and Miss Pacific Beach, Sherry Landry.
 The Evening Gown Award was awarded to Miss Orange County Teen, Jessica Hullett and Miss Mission Viejo, Shannon Quinn.
Most Outstanding Interview Award went to Miss Folsum Teen, Kelsey Taylor and Miss Palos Verdes, Nicole Chiu.
People’s Choice Awards went to Miss San Ramon Teen, Tiffany Yeh and Miss Manhattan Beach, Greta Frances Pechter.
Miss Congeniality Award, the most famous award, thanks to the
Sandra Bullock movie, was awarded to Miss Greater Ventura County Teen,
Liz Anderson and Miss La Jolla, Carrie Prejean.
 Miss California Teen winners were:
The Miss California Teen, USA 2009 Crown went to a local girl, Miss Beaumont, Chelsea Gilligan.
First Runner-up, Miss Temecula Teen, Lexie Guerrero
Second Runner-up, Miss Rancho Jamul Teen , Alexis Swanstrom
Third Runner-up, Miss Palos Verdes Teen, Alia Abul-Haj
Fourth Runner-up, Miss Greater Antelope Valley Teen, Gabriela Garcia
 Miss California winners were:
The Miss California, USA 2009 Crown went to Miss La Jolla, Carrie Prejean.
First Runner-up, Miss Malibu, Tami Farrel
Second Runner-up, Miss Mission Beach, Ashley Phelps
Third Runner-up, Miss Beverly Hills, Nana Meriwether
Fourth Runner-up, Miss Bay City, Sarah Chapman
What a wonderful event and such beautiful women I am already looking forward to next years event.
For photos of all of the women constants in swimsuits and evening gowns, check our photo galleries below:
For Pat Krause’s Photos of the Miss California Awards and Finale, click here.
For Allen Lawrence's Photos of the Miss California Teen USA Swimsuit event, click here.
For Allen Lawrence's Photos of the Miss California Teen USA Evening Gown event, click here.
For Allen Lawrence's Photos of the Miss California USA Swimsuit event, click here.
For Allen Lawrence's Photos of the Miss California USA Evening Gown event, click here.
For information about the Riviera Spa and Resort, click here.
|
