BRITTANY PICKENS
Staff Writer
Watching the Miss U.S.A. Pageant at home in Baltimore with her mom and two sisters, Ashley Jay never imagined she would one day compete and win the title of Miss Malibu. Participating in a pageant was a far off dream of hers, but it didn’t become reality until this past summer.
It began when Jay noticed a flyer advertising for Miss Malibu while she was studying at the Pepperdine library. She contacted pageant director Kristen Bradford to get involved.
Jay knew she could represent Malibu well because of the many relationships she had formed through her various involvement and volunteer activities within the community. This is what made her seriously consider entering the Miss Malibu Pageant.
These relationships developed through activities such as the inner-city reading program, Malibu Makos Surf Club, teaching Sunday school at Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church, and a class with acting coach Teddy Sherman in Malibu where she helps with the cameras as well as participates in the class.
Jay is proactive and involved in her school. As a senior at Pepperdine University, she is working to complete a news broadcast major. Besides her contribution in the newsroom, she is also involved with her sorority Delta Gamma.
As the title holder of Miss Malibu, Jay devotes much of her time to represent the Malibu community. Jay has many high hopes for this year including completing the tutoring programs with Malibu High and a sister school. She sees the significance of providing teenagers with a sense of accomplishment. “There is a need for strong passionate women to be role models and relate with the teens and to become not only a tutor, but a mentor.”
This year was the first Miss Malibu Pageant and as a result had some positive effects on the community. Besides being service-oriented, the winner of Miss Malibu makes public appearances such as the chamber of commerce and the Kiwanis Chili Cook-off. Jay also works with surrounding high schools to implement tutoring programs and grow to be a role model for young women.
There are several different types of pageants. The main two are Miss America and Miss USA. Interview, swimsuit and evening wear are the three areas judged in the USA system, while the America system judges an additional talent portion. Miss Malibu is part of the USA system, which offers the most money in scholarships to women, and was teamed up with Kiwanis, a charity organization that was one of their main sponsors.
The women are narrowed to the finalists after a three-minute interview with a panel of judges. This is followed by the swimsuit and evening portion. It is then further narrowed to the top five where the two final questions are asked and the winner is chosen.
Because this was Jay’s first pageant, none of her answers seemed rehearsed and she could relax and be herself. Although people often see the swimsuit portion as degrading toward women, Jay saw it as an opportunity to love her body and become physically fit. Presenting yourself in such a way is something she learned to do throughout her experience.
“It is an attitude of confidence, not arrogance,” Jay says, “it’s not about competing against other girls, but against yourself as you try to bring out the best you can be.”
Bradford said the judges’ requirements are well rounded women who can handle all situations. The judges are not searching for the skinniest, most beautiful, or the woman with the most community service. They want someone with the entire package and Jay was described as just that. “Ashley Jay embodies it all,” Bradford said, “she is not only beautiful but intelligent, well rounded, poised and articulate.”
Jay felt blessed because of all the prayer and support that accompanied her throughout the experience. Pepperdine University sponsored her. Family, friends, kids she tutored, and those she was involved with at her church all came to encourage and support.
The Miss Malibu Pageant had an incredibly positive impact on Jay. “It made me bring out my best,” she said.
Since her winning she has seen improvement in her confidence, poise, and awareness of what makes her unique which has further prepared her for the working world. Jay wants to continue pursing many of her talents such as mentoring, being a spokeswoman, acting, and approaching more volunteer work. Her experience as Miss Malibu has shown her personal growth and she hopes to continue to be a positive voice in the Malibu community.
12-15-2005