Out of 133 women vying to become the 2010 Miss California on Sunday in Rancho Mirage, a 24-year-old representing Sherwood in Ventura County took home the crown.
“I think it was my presentation,” said winner Nicole Johnson. “I was very confident on the stage, and I stood out in a red gown. So I think maybe that was it.”
Johnson beat out an apparent crowd favorite, Nana Meriwether representing Beverly Hills.
Meriwether was the runner-up and will fill in for Johnson should she not be able to fulfill her Miss California duties.
Tami Farrell also was crowned during the show after taking over from 2009 winner Carrie Prejean, who was stripped of her title in June.
“She was crowned tonight so that she, too, can have the moment,” said Heather Witbeck, a pageant spokeswoman.
Katie Polos, a 19-year-old from Yucca Valley representing Palm Springs, did not make it past the top 15 elimination round.
“It was a lot of fun. Especially making friends with all the girls,” Polos said after the pageant. Polos said she will resume her studies at Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa with plans to become a teacher.
Her family and friends attended the pageant, all wearing red T-shirts reading ‘Team Polos Palm Springs.'
They were able to drown out the audience at one time, cheering “Palm Springs.”
Katie Polos' sister, 17-year old Brea Polo, competed in the Miss Teen California competition.
The two-hour Miss California competition, hosted by The Insider's Chris Jacobs and former Miss USA 1995 Shanna Moakler, included swimwear, evening gowns and interviews.
Johnson was asked by judge Hill Harper, “What do you consider the most significant challenge facing the state of California?”
“Focusing on what we truly believe in,” she answered. “Sometimes we are very divided, and I feel if we can unite and be one state and focus our beliefs in one thing, I think we can succeed and be a very dominant state.”
After the pageant, Johnson said in a ballroom at casino that she was looking forward to further competition.
“I would like to get to USA and then to Universe (pageants), and then we will see where my career takes me,” she said.
Johnson said she would like to be a Formula One racing correspondent in the future when her pageant competitions are behind her.
She will compete in the Miss USA pageant in April in Las Vegas.
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was among those in the crowd Sunday.
The pageant intermittently showed videos of contestants in the Coachella Valley golfing, off-roading and shopping at the Gardens at El Paseo.
The contestants stayed at the Riviera Resort and Spa in Palm Springs while competing in the pageant.
Katie and Brea Polos had so much fun and so did our entire family.Everyone was so nice.The Pageant felt like a combination of Prom,Cheer Camp,and Dance Classes,on top of that they were able to spend the weekend at the RIVIERA.What a positive experience! There were so many volunteers and media who worked very hard to make this years event happen.If no one mentioned this we will "THANKYOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK"Love the Polos family.
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