Danfranc Productions is Not Just Another Pretty Face in the Pageant Business
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Many of today’s beauty pageants appear superficial and focus too much on outward appearance, but Danfranc Productions, a special event planning company, has been producing the Miss Teenage California Scholarship Pageant for 29 years with a focus on education. The 29th annual Miss Teenage California Scholarship Pageant is scheduled for April 18-20, 2008 at the Radisson Hotel at the Los Angeles Airport. It promotes scholastic achievement, and a healthy lifestyle.
A recent study, “Generation of Worried Teens” reports that 30 percent of girls compared to 19 percent of boys weigh themselves at least weekly. And, according to “Girls Speak Out,” girls as young as eight years old talk about clothing and watching calories.
Frank Lameira, president of Danfranc Productions, explained. “Our goal is to re-shift the focus to young women who participate in school activities and/or their community.”
For Noelle Freeman, Miss Teenage California Scholarship Pageant 2007, it was her very first pageant. As Miss Teenage California, Noelle won a $10,000 college scholarship to the university of her choice; $5,000 in cash; a $1,500 national-pageant wardrobe; a laptop computer; luggage, and many other prizes.
“The popularity of more traditional beauty pageants is dwindling,” Lameira said. “Today’s young women have lots more to offer than simply look good in a bathing suit; we used to have a swimsuit competition, but eliminated it.”
Eating disorders and self-esteem issues have pressured pageant organizers to change with the times and to eliminate the idea that young women need to be skinny to be popular.
Some pageants have changed their focus, while others continue to instill unhealthy images that do not reflect our current society.
The Miss Teenage California Scholarship Pageant is a pageant that celebrates today’s youth. Contestants vary in height, weight, and race. The judging categories consist of: Achievements and Activities; Personality/Intelligence; and Poise and Presence in Formal Attire.
“It’s still a pageant, but whether or not a young woman is a size 0 or a size 10, everyone is welcomed to participate,” Lameira said. “And, no swimsuits are required.”
While part of the population may still feel that a young woman pursuing a crown in today’s society is frivolous, Lameira disagrees. Contestants in the Miss Teenage California Scholarship Pageant are active in their school and community; most maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 and are highly motivated.
Over $82,000 in college scholarships and prizes will be awarded at the 29th Annual Miss Teenage California Scholarship Pageant.
“What also sets this pageant apart from others is that it is not a winner-take-all event,” Lameira said.”
Four runner-ups will win college scholarships of $5,000, $4,000, $3,000, and $2,000, respectively. The remaining top 10 finalists each earn a $1,000 college scholarship for placement. The pageant acknowledges young women in the state of California who are achievers and activators in their school and community, have career goals, and wish to pursue higher education.
Lameira, a 1997 inductee into the Performing Arts Hall of Fame for his work with youth, explains that the education of young people is indicative of a strong and vibrant society.
“We need to encourage positive behavior in today’s youth, and to celebrate their individuality, while still providing opportunities for reward and recognition,” Lameira said. “We read enough stuff about young celebrities who get mixed up in alcohol and drugs. But, we don’t hear enough about teens who silently, but consistently, are good students, and involved in their school and community.”
Area representatives are currently being sought for the 2008 pageant. For more information, visit: http://www.missteenageca.com or call 916-714-4222.
[tags]Miss Teenage California Scholarship Pageant, Danfranc Productions, California scholastic achievement, beauty Pageants[/tags]
