Mariah for Miss Teen California

Irene Luna, Editor-in-Cheif

November 5, 2010

Senior Mariah Picou began pageantry in 2009 when she was crowned a Miss Teen Downey Princess with Lauren Brasov, and Sandy Fernandez, also a senior, as Miss Teen Downey 2009. The Miss Teen Downey/Miss Downey pageant has been sponsored by the Downey Rose Float Association since 1955 and invites young ladies between the ages of 13-15 (teen) and 16-23 (miss) to participate.

“I watched the Jr. Miss Downey pageant and what the little girls don’t understand is they have to enjoy the experience,” Picou said. “They’re put under so much pressure, and it breaks their hearts when they don’t win. The experience is the much more enjoyable part because I’ve met so many wonderful people through this.”

The winners of the Miss Downey Court attend events like Downey Rose Float fundraisers, the Street Faire, Kids Days, Concerts in the Park, the Parade of Winners, the Mr. Downey competition, the Downey Holiday Lane Parade, and the Pasadena Tournament of the Roses Parade. Candidates also receive gifts and scholarship offers.

“We meet at orientation and they teach us walks, introductions, and interviews, but after that, we’re on our own,” senior Lauren Brasov, Miss Teen Downey Princess 2009, said. “We have to be witty and have a clever response because at any moment, they [judges] can ask us a random question.”

Picou is entered in the Miss Teen California pageant for 2011, which is held in Palm Springs at the Rivera Palm Springs Hotel on the weekend of Nov. 19-21. If she wins, she is automatically entered in the Miss Teen U.S.A. Pageant for 2011.

Picou has met many new people though pageants, even some she might call her best friends, because they all share common goals and have common interests. Girls from all over the city, county, state, even the country come together because of one reason: to win.

“It’s [pageants] really brought out her good qualities, and she’s definitely more responsible,” Sandy Fernandez said.

Picou feels pageantry gives older girls a chance to be a role model for younger girls who look up to them for inspiration. Contestants have a chance to show who they are, what they represent, improve their social skills, and gain the opportunity to give back to the community. If she wins, Picou would like to work with breast cancer organizations, providing them with the publicity they need to be successful.

About the Contributor

Irene Luna, Editor-in-Cheif

Being one of the returning members of The Downey Legend, senior Irene Luna takes pride in her recently acclaimed position as Editor-in-Chief. The ambitious student’s journey all started at the beginning of her sophomore year. Having an available spot for an elective, Luna was placed in the newly created newspaper class. Even though she started as a writer, the 10^th grader worked her way up the ladder as Co-Arts & Entertainment Editor. The following year she was appointed Co-Editor-In-Chief, all the while being trained to achieve her current position. She has only the highest hopes for this year’s group of individuals. “After the long process of picking out the different students, I have complete confidence in saying that the 2011-2012 newspaper group will achieve many goals which could not be achieved in the previous years,” Luna said. When she’s not doing work for newspaper, you can find the Editor-in-Chief readily preparing herself for the future. Her experiences throughout high school have motivated Luna to study the field of Journalism as a probable career. Taking everything step by step, she hopes to attend the University of Nevada in Las Vegas. If that plan does not follow through, her second option would be attending a California State University. Though schoolwork may be a big part of her life, Luna proves to be a diligent worker. Contrary to many teens, she values her family, friends, and education above all other things. As the school year brings a fresh start, this motivated individual is ready to take charge of The Downey Legend.