MISS EL CAJON TEEN 2007
Allison Boettcher

In both past and present, many pageants are considered to be degrading, pointless, and just another way for women to have the oppurtunity to spend tremendous amounts of money on materialistic objects and parade around in front of numerous people in order to win a sparkely object. Unfortunately, I used to be one of these many mislead individuals.

I first heard about the Miss El Cajon Scholarship Pageant from my mom whom, for a few years, had been trying to convince me to participate in this pageant along with others. But being as stubborn as I was I would always refuse, stating that taking part in a "beauty" contest was not for me. But, finally, after a great deal of persuasion, I gave in to my mom's request. Little did I know that through the pageant I would greatly grow as an idividual, create wonderful friendships, and be given the most honorable, life-changing, and privilaging oppurtunity of a life time!

The first year that I participated in the pageant, not only did I recieved fourth runner-up but my entire stereotypical outlook towards pageants completely changed because I came to realize that the soul purpose of this wonderful program is to provide young women with the oppurtunity to better pursue their education through generous amounts of scholarship money, to encourage girls to come out of their shells and meet new people, and, most importantly, to provide them with various qualities like self-confidence and leadership skills through an unforgetable experience! These aspects of the pageant alone are what motivated me to return this past year, and I am so grateful that I did!

So, as you have probably gathered I was fortunate enough to be priviliged with taking on the title as Miss El Cajon Teen 2007! And, boy do I have BIG shoes to fill! The Previous title holders of 2006 being Lina Charry, Miss El cajon, Priscilla Fernandez, Miss El Cajon Teen, and Jessica Cope, Miss Rancho San Diego Teen all left an incredible example and served as amazing ambassadors to this beautiful city, impacting and benefiting the communtiy with every step of their reign. I feel that I speak for many when I say that it is these girls whom I look up to, owe a great deal of thanks for all of their advice and support throughout my particpation in the pageant, and pray that I can serve just as tremendously as El Cajon's ambassador as they did!

From the moment I was crowned I knew that this was going to be an amazing, life-changing experience that I would cherish forever, and so far, I was right! Though my reign has just begun I have already been imensouly involved in my community and have met so many wonderful people who give a great deal back to this city! I truly cannot wait, or can say enough how much I am looking forward to the coming year and all it has to bring me! I am excited about growing closer with my fellow titleholders and most importantly anticipating all the fun and beneficial communtiy events I will be able to attend along with the chance that I will be given to meet many outstanding citizens of this fine city, that I can proudly call my home!

Well, with all of that said I look forward to further benefiting the city of El Cajon and serving as this incredible communtiy's ambassador! I thank God for this oppurtunity I have been given, my friends and family for their love and support, Andrea Burrow, my director, who is a great mentor to me and dedicates much of her time to this charitable and worthy cause, my judges, of course, and most importantly my mom who persuaded me to get involded and has taught me an important lesson, "Be true to yourself and follow your heart, it will lead to where you need to go."

Love,
Allison Boettcher
Miss El Cajon Teen 2007