Miss Teen La Mesa Monica Popp and other pageant veterans* dazzled in evening gowns, and pageant winners past and present wowed a crowd of 150 Sunday night at the La Mesa Community Center.
But the kids stole the fashion show—from grade-school “princesses” to 2-year-old Brooklynn Cross, daughter of Alpine’s Jennifer Cross, former Miss Greater San Diego Teen and Miss California Teen.
Younger still was 9-month-old Cadence Ditomaso, bow in her hair and carried by mother Michelle Ditomaso of Lakeside, Miss Greater San Diego USA 2002.
Rockin’ San Diego Fashion—a fundraiser for scholarships for winners of area beauty pageants, including La Mesa and Santee—rocked the La Mesa Community Center, complete with an elevated runway walk. Organizers said the event netted $2,200 for scholarships.
Dozens of donated items lined the room’s perimeter for a silent auction—some of which were harvested by Miss La Mesa Katie Martin, who couldn't attend the event because of an unexpected illness.
A $300 gift certificate* to PreVue formal gowns in Grossmont Center was awarded (on second try, after the first ticket’s owner didn’t respond). Winner of the cash envelope was a youngster, too—8-year-old Antonio Gonzalez of Explorer Elementary School in Point Loma, whose sister will likely use the gift certificate.
Organized by former Miss La Mesa Alexandra Kuty, a local pageant director, the third annual show was emceed by former Miss Santee Sierra Billock and serenaded by a five-man cover band Ramshackle, whose lead singer, Eddie Vandiver, played for free. (His wife, Natalie, was one of 14 event volunteers.)
Vandiver said he provided a play list of 90 songs, and Kuty chose the ones as background for the seven runway routines.
Outfits were provided by Act II, Be Beauty Boutique, Michael Antonio (footwear), , Sara’s Selections, Old Navy and PreVue.
*Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly said Miss La Mesa Katie Martin took part. She did not. The story also incorrectly referred to a $300 cash drawing.
