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Elizabeth Dorsa is a different kind of beauty queen.
Photograph by Skye Dunlap
Beautiful Inside and Out
Elizabeth Dorsa sets her sights on the Miss Junior California crown
By Suzanne Barnecut
Thoughts of beauty pageants usually invite visions of cherry-lipped lovelies draped in sequined gowns, tottering as they practice walking in too-high heels with textbooks balanced on their heads. Either that or the image of Jon Benet and all the beauty queens who grow up too quickly--or never grow up at all. Yet, as I approach the Willow Glen home of Elizabeth Dorsa, crowned Miss Junior San Jose last October, the door swings open before I can even ring the bell, to reveal ... your average high school senior.
Though it was only last year that Dorsa became involved in the Junior America Pageantry Program, she went on from winning the title of Miss Junior San Jose to being named one of the Top Ten Finalists in the Miss Teen San Francisco Pageant in February. On July 17 she will advance to the state finals, held in Orange County, to compete against 15 other girls in her age group.
Dorsa and Monica Cendejas, a classmate from Presentation High School, have been waiting in the living room, anxious to get the interview over with so they can spend a sprawling, sunny summer day at the mall. In a little black sundress and flip-flop sandals, Dorsa relaxes on the couch and answers my questions with natural composure, rather than practiced poise.
She explains that she was anonymously recommended to the Junior America Pageantry Program last year, either by a teacher or a former contestant. When she received a letter introducing the program in the mail, Dorsa decided to fill out the application.
"It seemed like something fun to do in high school," Dorsa says. "I have a fear of public speaking and wanted to use the opportunity to improve my communication skills."
The Junior America Pageant and Talent Competition was founded in 1983 and boasts that it is a different kind of pageant; one that showcases kids who are beautiful on the inside as well as out. In fact, according to Dottie Bevis, office manager for the West Coast division, the program is not a beauty pageant at all, but a high-achiever program.
"Community service is really encouraged. School involvement and GPA are really important to us," Bevis says. "We have girls from all walks of life and even three handicapped girls this year. The only reason we ask for a photo is to be able to put a face with a name when we call them on the phone." She adds that 95 percent of the girls have never participated in a pageant or been on stage before.
This year over 12,000 girls applied to the West Coast division of Junior America. They have all been recommended to the program. After their applications are reviewed, they are called for a phone interview. Dorsa was one of the 10 percent chosen to participate.
Following her acceptance into the program, Dorsa needed to obtain sponsorship from family, friends and local businesses to support the costs of the pageant competitions. Then, as with her initial application, Dorsa won Miss Junior San Jose through the mail. She completed another application, answering questions about her activities, GPA and general physical characteristics, and included a picture and an in-depth essay explaining her interest in participating in a pageant. She received her crown and sash in the mail.
Dorsa's first pageant was an all-day affair in San Francisco, where she vied for Miss Teen San Francisco. She prepared for the pageant by attending weekend modeling classes through the program in the months prior to the competition.
"Before I got there I thought it would be a bunch of people being competitive, but when I arrived we were in a gymnasium for like six hours. Most people weren't experienced and were just doing it for fun," Dorsa says easily. "It wasn't how people make it out to be. It's not like everyone is pulling out each other's hair."
Dorsa's mother, Kathy, agrees: "It was a good experience. There were a lot of girls there and I know Elizabeth wanted to meet new people. It seemed like the people that ran the pageant were considerate of the girls' feelings."
Photograph by Skye Dunlap
Teen Queen: Elizabeth Dorsa, the reigning Miss Junior San Jose, isn't looking for fame--she just wants to have fun.
During an actual pageant the girls have to do two modeling routines, one in casual wear and one in formal attire. Dorsa, following her mom's practical suggestion, wore her prom dress, the same white evening gown with silver flowers she will wear next week in Los Angeles.
"It was kind of scary at first," the 16-year-old admits. "You look out at the theater and it's so empty and big and you know all the seats will fill up. But with the spotlight on it wasn't so bad."
During her routine Dorsa also had to answer questions about what she feels she gained from participating in a pageant and what she thinks a winner is.
She tells me, "You shouldn't let anyone else tell you what a winner is. If you feel you've accomplished something, you're a winner. It's what you feel."
Though Dorsa still has apprehensions about public speaking, she is sure of herself. The state finals next week will be similar in format to the San Francisco pageant, except that it will stretch out over three days and may involve participation in an impromptu skit with the host. She will also need to make a 12-second speech about herself in front of a panel of judges.
"More than what you say is how you say it," she explains. "They can feel if you're nervous." I ask to hear her speech but she replies, "If I plan too far ahead I won't sound natural. I'm thinking the day before or the day of [the pageant], I'll make it up."
It's not that Dorsa doesn't take the pageant seriously, just that she already has her priorities in place. While the program networks kids with other members of the Junior America Family and claims to help youth prepare for their careers, Dorsa feels her education at Presentation High has prepared her for her future. She's got her eye on Loyola Marymount College and will use her trip to Los Angeles to visit college campuses. She already knows she wants to major in communications and go into public relations.
As I urge Dorsa to continue talking about herself, I can see she's getting antsy. She says she likes to spend her free time with friends, talking on the phone and shopping. Suddenly she pauses and both girls giggle and repeat, "Shopping ...," as if I'm holding a piece of chocolate at arms length from them. I realize it's about time to wrap up the interview.
Before I leave, I can't help asking if, like former Junior America title holders Lacey Chabert of Party of Five and Tiffani-Amber Thiessen of Beverly Hills 90210, Dorsa's dreams don't include being "discovered" and becoming a celebrity.
"My mom has specifically told me no," she says with a smile. "I just hope I have as much fun at the pageant in L.A. as I had at the last one. I hope we can overcome stereotypes of what pageants are and understand what they're really about, which is to improve self-confidence."
Away with stereotypes? Absolutely. But Dorsa is still leaving room in her itinerary to see the film Drop Dead Gorgeous (a black comedy about teen beauty queens) on its opening weekend while she's in Los Angeles.
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
