Local 10-year-old Destiny Cloud is a state finalist in the National American Miss California Pageant—a yearly competition for girls ages 4 to 18. Destiny will be participating in the Miss Pre-Teen division.
Held at the Marriott Hotel in Santa Clara in late July, the California pageant is the precursor to a national pageant, which will be held in Southern California this year. The winner of the state event will receive a $1,000-cash prize, along with the customary banner, roses, and crown, plus paid airfare to the national pageant.
Destiny’s mother, Rachel, told the Sun this competition is outside of the box for her daughter.
“She’s never done something like this before. She likes to compete and perform, and wanted to try something different,” she said.
What’s even more interesting, Rachel explained, is that her daughter is really not that girly and only wears dresses or costumes if she has to.
Destiny—a fifth-grade honor student at Fairgrove Elementary School in Oceano—has been dancing since the age of 5. She is involved in a competition dance team and musical theatre, and takes acting classes as well. When she isn’t dancing or preparing for a pageant, she likes to draw, read, and play computer games.
Keeping with her talents, Destiny will be performing two numbers for the optional talent competition: a contemporary number, choreographed by her dance instructor, to Who Says by Selena Gomez, and a contemporary jazz dance to Time of My Life, a mix of the original song from the Dirty Dancing soundtrack that she is choreographing with her mom.
Contestants in this competition aren’t allowed to wear makeup, and rather than promoting appearance, the contest emphasizes the importance of self-confidence, good sportsmanship, and working hard to achieve personal goals.
At the competition, Destiny will be asked to give a personal introduction and will be interviewed by a panel of judges, which will score her based on how well she communicates and makes eye contact.
Since the pageant emphasizes family involvement and support, Destiny’s family—her mother, her dad, Brent, her grandparents, and her sister, Britny—will be there to cheer her on. Rachel said the cost of the pageant will total $1,040.
“So far, we have already raised $730; we’ve received a lot of support,” she said.
In between fundraising and trying to find the perfect formal gown, Destiny has been practicing her introduction speech and her dances.
Staff Writer Kristina Sewell compiled this week’s Community Corner. Send comments or ideas to the Sun via e-mail at intern@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in May 24-31, 2012.