Magracia is asked
about her views on the Confederate flag and whether she thinks it should be banned. “No, state flags repre- sent our communities,” she responds. The teens are given
simpler quest ions. When Cassandra Shel- lum is asked what she has learned from being a part of the Miss San Diego Outstanding Teen Competition, the first thing out of her mouth is, “That the way you look really does matter!” When the pageant has
come to a close and the girls have strutted their stuff in bikinis and for- mal wear, it is time for the judges to deliberate and calculate the girls’ scores. The audience members shift in their seats as they await the crowning. After about 20 min-
utes, the 15 contestants take the stage and await their fate. Murphy is in a floor-length red gown. Magracia wears an aqua- marine number that looks like something Princess Jasmine would own. Rob- erts sticks out among the other women. Among the pastels, glitter, and jewel- encrusted gowns, she has chosen an edgier style. Her floor-length dress is royal blue and sea-green. See-through panels begin at her mid-thigh, alter-
nating between blue and green striped fabric. As the host announces
the winners, beginning with the third runners up, followed by the second and first, the contestants not named try their best to remain cool and calm. None of the three girls I interviewed are runners up. By the time the winner is announced I find that
crowd. I don’t have the heart to follow up with Rogers and Murphy. A few days later I
speak to each girl over the phone. Murphy says, “I knew Chelsea was really good at her talent because she is a profes- sional dancer, but for her to win the whole thing… I was definitely very sur- prised. But, I am really
“I felt like I really let my family down.”
my stomach is in knots. “Our next San Diego
Outstanding Teen is Thalia Rose Maigue Ben- dorf,” The announcer shouts. Her family erupts into madness behind me. Some of them are weeping. When the crowd recovers, the announcer declares, “Our 2015 Miss San Diego is Chelsea Magracia!” Magracia leans down
as Diamond Alexan- der bobby-pins on her crown. Roberts stands in the background, attempting to remain composed. She is sport- ing a wide toothy smile. It looks like she is about to cry. Murphy is hiding behind a forced smile as well. Behind the smiles their disappointment is clear. It’s hard to watch. As the auditorium clears out, I leave with the
happy for her. I think she is going to do a great job as Miss San Diego.” Roberts is more emo-
tional. She gets choked up when we speak. “I felt like I really let
my family down. I am disappointed. I think I may have been a little too fashion-forward for the judges. Mallory and I are competing in the Miss Southland and Ms. Hollywood pageant in December. I am going to be a bit more Patty Pag- eant for those,” she says. “I think our chances
are good in the Miss Hollywood/Miss South- land pageant,” Murphy says. “I am going to do my same jump-rope rou- tine and keep the same wardrobe,” she says before hanging up.
— Siobhan Braun ■ H E A L T H A N D B E A U T Y
28 San Diego Reader January 7, 2016
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