Sophia Mendiola (12), entered Miss Teen California just a year into her pageant journey. It is her third pageant in about a year. In preparation for Miss Teen California, Mendiola had 7 months to practice for the event. However, to even get into Miss Teen California, Mendiola had won in her first pageant Miss Teen San Diego, and her second, Miss Teen Southern California. Both of which were scholarship pageants which were more based on who the person is.

In order to get into her first pageant she had to apply to get emails she originally thought were a scam. Mendiola had just 3 days to prepare for Miss San Diego and had no idea what to expect. After winning the pageant, she was thrilled and surprised because she didn’t think she was going to win.

“I tried to maintain eye contact, no fiddling, no stuttering, no going on or just moving around,” Mendiola said. “You have to just be very calm and collected.”

After the first pageant, she better understood the layout and what it takes to win, and she realized that it isn’t all about looks. 

“It’s not based on how you look; [it’s how] you carry yourself, how you speak, what you do for the community, and what you’re into in school,” Mendiola said.

Mendiola described the questions as somewhat childish, yet the regulations in all three of the competitions she competed in were very strict. She found that she had to answer very casually and let the conversation flow even though she was in front of many people she didn’t know. Throughout the different competitions, they kept getting more competitive and had harder judging because the winners from the other regions were also competing. 

Prior to the competition, Mendiola was only able to make one 5-minute rehearsal interview instead of the 15-minute rehearsal for the 15-minute pageant interview at Miss California. With the lack of preparation and experience, Mendiola already had a different goal. 

“I’m not going to win,” Mendiola said. “I’m just here to have fun and have the experience.”

With the competition around the corner, Mendiola wanted to be herself in how she dressed. She decided to wear a white pantsuit and pearls to go along with a white monochromatic look.   

“There is a sort of pageant dress code or general aesthetic or air about it, but you still want to present your individuality,” Mendiola said.

On November 18th, 2023 the pageant began and Mendiola started off on the wrong foot. After spilling her mom’s powder on her leg, she ended up getting it off and being late for her interview in the process. Prior to her interview, she thought about how she was going to talk. 

“I tried to keep it really casual but also very respectful, like a conversation,” Mendiola said. “Let me just keep it casual because that’s me.”

Mendiola began talking to the judges and answering their questions about her future, who she is to society, and more. When asked about why she should win, she already knew what she was going to say. 

“What I talked about was that if I were to win this title, I would represent CYU in a very great way,” Mendiola said. “I explained how it’s not about beauty. It’s really about how you present yourself and what you do for your community.”

When asked about her past and her future, Mendiola told the judges about her journey through her life, how she had to deal with racism, and what she had to overcome. She also spoke on her future and her plans to go into real estate after getting her license.

“I mentioned how the scholarship money would go towards the broker’s license,” Mendiola said.

For Mendiola, who the judges were wasn’t that important to her. However, she realized that Miss USA was one of the judges she was talking with and had a strong connection with.

“I engaged with each of [the judges] which was really cool, and the lady who I thought I engaged with the most was Miss USA,” Mendiola said.

Overall, through her winning experiences in Miss San Diego, Miss Southern California, and Miss California, she had not only learned more about pageants but also learned about herself. She found a new passion she was able to try out and she was really proud to have won because of who she is.