MISS EL CAJON 2007Ivanka Jina
I've never been much of a risk-taker; but nevertheless, I took a risk on March 24th, 2007 when I entered myself into my very first pageant. Being a first-time participant in pageants, I never thought I'd enter, let alone, WIN one! What started as an experiment became a life-changing experience as I found myself unlocking a part of me that I never knew existed. Now, all my life I grew up prepared for academic tests and pop essays, but I never expected a test like the one this pageant presented to me. As I entered this pageant, I entered knowing that there was only one person that I was competing against--that one shy girl that I thought I could never beat, that shy girl that used to be me. But I soon realized in the days leading up to the pageant that I had won--regardless of whether or not I would take that title of Miss El Cajon 2007 home on pageant night, I knew that I was already a winner as I was finally able to rid myself of that one person; I was finally able to expose my true colors; finally--just as I told my judges--the butterfly was able to break free of her turtle shell! :)
Having grown up in El Cajon all my life, I could have never achieved so much in my 17 years of life without the strong support system that I have been blessed with. I give full credit to my loving parents, Steve and Kellie Jina, for raising me into the individual that I am today and I owe all of my accomplishments to them as they have always instilled in me a need to shine in all I do and go above and beyond what is expected of me; they are the reason that I strive to succeed. I am grateful for my gentle and wise grandmother who has always taught me to remain faithful and devoted to my beliefs, and to never forget the motivation, determination, and strength God has given me to bear any crosses that I may be presented with and to have strength in the responsibilities now bestowed upon me. And let's not forget my four terrific brothers, Devon, Evan, Evonte, and Giovanni, for constantly reminding me that life means nothing without a lot of laughs and fun memories along the way!
I recently graduated from Valhalla High School and ranked fourth in my graduating class with a 4.6 GPA. I maintained high grades while taking rigorous courses in high school as I was voted "Most Likely to Succeed" by my senior class. I was involved in various clubs including being secretary of my school Key Club and I also wrote for my school newspaper as news editor. I have remained involved in my community through my 300 plus volunteer hours as a hospital volunteer and I have also dedicated my time to various homeless shelters in downtown San Diego. Also, among my involvements in my church, I was recently made a youth group leader for the Breath of Life Chaldean Catholic youth group. I applied to seven prestigious universities in my senior year and was accepted into all of them, but because of my responsibilities to my family and to my community, I made the decision to stay here as I will attend the University of California, San Diego in the fall with a major in biological sciences as I am aspiring to be a oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
The instant a crown was put on my head, I knew it was not the end of a road but the beginning of a journey and I look forward to every step of it--every lesson learned, every new experience, every upcoming event, every moment that is worthy enough of being placed inside a glass case and treasured forever.
As Miss El Cajon 2007, I hope to show to others that we can make a difference and our efforts in our community should not be based n how much we have done but rather on how much love we put into our actions. I hope to demonstrate to this community the significance of expressing our love for the strangers we encounter each day not because of who they are but because of who we become when we are with them. I hope to prove to those around me that we do not need to wait for a leader but rather be our own and make a difference--person to person. I must admit that although I am only one person and although I cannot do immense things, I CAN do small things with immense love.
I would like to thank my wonderful judges first of all for recognizing and believing in my abilities to reign as Miss El Cajon 2007. Thank you to my director, Andrea, for helping me transition into my new role. Thank you to Mrs. Peggy Ormsby for inspiring me to "follow my bliss." And thank you to the city of El Cajon for accepting me as your ambassador but more importantly, for allowing me the opportunity of serving this amazing community that has already given so much to me! I won't let you down!
With Love,
Ivanka Trazia Jina
Miss El Cajon 2007