News Release Miss Contra Costa Scholarship Organization November 5, 2017 [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 925-989-4476 3 CROWNED DURING THE MISS CONTRA COSTA COUNTY SCHOLARSHIP COMPETITION SAN RAMON, CA -- While the audience cheered them on, 15 women from Contra Costa County graced the stage of the California High School Theater during the opening number of the Miss Contra Costa County Scholarship Competition. This scholarship event took place during the evening of November 4th, in San Ramon. Trisha Vijay, a recent University of California Berkeley graduate, was crowned the title of Miss Contra Costa County 2018. Trisha performed an entertaining Bollywood dance to, “Jiya Jale,” during the talent portion of competition. During the evening wear segment, she commanded the stage in her blush pink gown. “When I heard my name announced as Miss Contra Costa County, I was in shock and wasn’t sure if I heard the emcee correctly but I was ecstatic as I will get to represent my area at the Miss California State Competition!” said Vijay to her new Executive Directors, Paula Gross and Lindsey Nakashima, after she was crowned. After a small hiatus, the Miss Greater East Bay title was brought back this year and Danville resident, Alissa Anderegg, walked away with the 2018 title. Anderegg is a Duke University Graduate and current Northwestern University Masters in Journalism Candidate. She sang, “That’s Life,” in a fiery red dress during the talent phase of competition and graced the stage in an elegant ice blue gown for evening wear. “I am absolutely thrilled to be Miss Greater East Bay 2018. I hope to inspire others to find a cause they are passionate about and use their voices to make a difference in our community.” Olivia Sally, 15-year-old Bishop O’Dowd High School sophomore, was named Miss Contra Costa County’s Outstanding Teen 2018. She performed a smooth and soulful piano piece to, “Body and Soul.” Sally will be dedicating her year of service to her platform of ‘Civic Engagement Among Our Youth.” “When my name was called I thought I heard the emcee wrong and looked around while my friends and family were clapping and cheering for me. I felt a moment of shock and relief that all my hard work paid off,” said Sally. “This year’s competition was amazing as each young woman is highly involved in their community, intelligent, loving, and truly follows the motto of Community Above Self. The judges had a difficult task of choosing just 3 young ladies to represent our county when truly each one of the 15 contestants would’ve been wonderful ambassadors. We have been given 3 wonderful titleholders and they will each shine at Miss California and Miss California’s Outstanding Teen Competitions in June 2018 in Fresno,” commented, Paula Gross, Co-Executive Director of the Miss Contra Costa County Scholarship Organization. In attendance at the local scholarship attendance was Former Miss America 2015, Kira Kazantsev, a Contra Costa County native and Las Lomas HS graduate. Prior to the show she gave words of encouragement and advice to the young ladies as they waited in the wings for the show to start. Scholarships Awarded, Miss Contra Costa County Miss Contra Costa County, $500- Trisha Vijay First Runner Up, $200- Athenna Crosby Top Interview, $100 – Trisha Vijay & Athenna Crosby (Tie) Miss Congeniality, $50-Kelsey Chapman Scholarships Awarded, Miss Greater East Bay Miss Greater East Bay, $500- Alissa Anderegg First Runner Up, $200- Hannah Hilyard Top Interview, $100 – Alissa Anderegg Scholarships Awarded, Miss Contra Costa County’s Outstanding Teen Miss Contra Costa County’s OT, $250 – Olivia Sally Top Interview, $100- Olivia Sally Top Overall Competition Talent, $100- Janine Jiang An official local preliminary to Miss California & Miss America The Miss Contra Costa County Scholarship Organization is one of the newest local preliminaries of the Miss America Organization, the world’s largest provider of scholarship assistance for young women. Last year, the Miss America Organization and its state and local organizations made available more than $49 million in cash and scholarship assistance. To learn more about our organization, visit, www.MissContraCosta.org .