![Winners and titleholders in the 2012 Miss San Diego Cities Pageant[1].jpg](https://eccalifornian.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Winners-and-titleholders-in-the-2012-Miss-San-Diego-Cities-Pageant1.jpg "Winners and titleholders in the 2012 Miss San Diego Cities Pageant[1].jpg")
A lot of teamwork goes on behind-the-scenes at scholarship pageants. This year the Miss San Diego Cities, Miss La Mesa, Miss Santee and Miss Rancho Jamul are linking up to hold the fourth annual Fashion Show Fundraiser “A Night of Talent and Fashion” on Saturday, Sept. 22.
The Talent and Fashion Show, to be held at the Steele Canyon High school theater, raise scholarship funds for the pageants. The models and performers will consist of former contestants and titleholders in the various pageant programs.
A lot of teamwork goes on behind-the-scenes at scholarship pageants. This year the Miss San Diego Cities, Miss La Mesa, Miss Santee and Miss Rancho Jamul are linking up to hold the fourth annual Fashion Show Fundraiser “A Night of Talent and Fashion” on Saturday, Sept. 22.
The Talent and Fashion Show, to be held at the Steele Canyon High school theater, raise scholarship funds for the pageants. The models and performers will consist of former contestants and titleholders in the various pageant programs.
Pageant director Alex Kuty throws her heart and herself into the fundraiser. As a former Miss La Mesa of 2000, she is familiar with the life-transforming power of the pageants.
After having won the title of Miss La Mesa in 2000,Kuty went on to win the titles of Miss San Diego 2002, Miss Southland 2003, and Miss Greater San Diego 2004. She ended up as the top 10 finalist in the Miss California USA Pageant. Her winnings in the pageants led her to a career in public relations, working several stints including Sea World. Besides producing local and state pageants, Katy has served as a choreographer for La Mesa Middle School Ensemble and Peter Pan Junior Theater.
“I look back and realize how much that experience changed my life and made me the person I am today,” Kuty said.
“Along with my co-directors, I love doing what we can to keep the pageants a tradition in our community, thriving and a positive experience for the girls,” she said.
The hopes of obtaining the scholarships are what drive many of the contestants to compete in the pageants. Miss Santee 2012, Victoria Heyne, is a senior at San Diego State University hoping for help in covering the rising costs of tuition.
Heyne said that as Miss Santee, she is earning her scholarship by giving a year of service to her community, which in turn lends her public speaking skills.
“It’s an experience I will cherish forever and I hope more girls seek out a local pageant near them for similar opportunities,” she said.
Established in 2009, the fundraiser gives young girls a chance to compete in the pageants in the middle of a struggling economy.
Traditionally, Miss Santee and Miss La Mesa Pageants have always partnered, and this year, the pageants will be able to draw even more donations and larger attendance with Miss San Diego Cities and Miss Rancho Jamul.
Last year the fundraiser brought in more than $3,200. This year, the goal is to raise more than $5K.
All of the proceeds will go back into giving the 2013 contestants and titleholders the scholarship money to further their education, she explained.
The pageant titleholders spend the year volunteering their time for various community organizations and being ambassadors for their city.
Tickets to the show, which include a silent auction, are $10 each. To purchase tickets or to make a donation for the silent auction contact call (619) 518-2777.
