On June 25th, Miss San Francisco Catherine Liang was crowned Miss California, but did you know her journey came through Novato?
The historic Miss California Competition is 94 years old, changing with the times as women in society have evolved. As a state affiliate of the Miss America Competition, it was the first program of its kind to offer a talent category and soon after began awarding scholarships for young women to attend college and further their education.
Throughout the competition and in interviews, candidates have the opportunity to advocate for their social impact initiatives, all the while showing how they are uniquely qualified for the exciting and challenging full-time job of being Miss California.
The organization believes in empowering young women to be the best they can be through leadership, talent, communication skills and intelligence. Thirty-four contestants vied for Miss. California this year.
But how did Miss San Francisco, now Miss California, Catherine Liang connect with Novato?
Since 1987, thanks to a Novato resident Vera Hartsock, the Miss Marin County Program was recreated after a 25 year absence. Needing funds to operate the program, Novato resident and program executive director Michelle Moser approached the Rotary Club of Ignacio, which her husband Dean belonged to, and asked for their help. The Rotary club passed the hat and donated $148 to the cause, becoming the first not-for-profit to contribute. The club has contributed annually to the program every year since.
Fast forward to Nov. 22, 2021. Last year The Miss Marin County program ‘adopted’ the Miss San Francisco Program after their executive director left for a job in Washington D.C.
“We couldn’t let the Miss San Francisco program not compete this year.” Moser said. “That would not be fair to all involved who worked so hard to make their dream come true.”
Consequently, for the all day competition November 21st, the Marin County program invited not only three Marin County contestants for the 2022 Miss Marin County competition, but three San Francisco contestants for the Miss San Francisco competition. Area judges from the business community, Rotary clubs and former competition winners got to judge both here in Novato. Judges graded contestants for both contests separately on a private interview, talent, on-stage interview and social impact pitch, and red carpet evening gown presentation.
Since 1987, the Miss Marin County has made over $250,000.00 in educational scholarships available to the young women of Marin County. Novato resident and former Marin School for the Arts graduate Roya Manshouri was named the 2022 Miss Marin County winner this year and San Francisco resident Catherine Liang was named the 2022 Miss San Francisco winner. Both received scholarship grants, Manhouri to attend Sonoma State University; and Laing to pursue her masters at USC after graduating with an undergraduate degree major in international relations and a minor in piano.
As Miss California, Laing will participate at the 95th Miss America competition Dec. 15, at Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Connecticut. If selected, she will be the 2023 Miss America, reigning a one year term, and succeeding the 2022 Miss America Emma Broyles who represented the State of Alaska.
“We as the Miss Marin County Committee are so very proud of her accomplishments and happy we could help her achieve her goals.” Moser said.
The Miss Marin County Program is now accepting applications for their November program. All information is on the Miss California website: misscalifornia.org, or at missmarincounty.org.
Applications are open to young women from the age of 13 to 17 ( Teen Program) and 18 (graduating in 2023) to 25., (Miss Program). To be a contestant she must live ( family home in Marin), work or attend school in Marin. We will be awarding $10,000.00 in scholarships this year.
Leave a Reply