Student wins pageant crown, prize money

SDSU student wins $500 in the Miss San Diego 2020 Scholarship Competition, complete with roses and crown. Photo Courtesy of Christi Ransom

by Catlan Nguyen STAFF WRITER

There’s much more to pageants than the elaborate dresses and crowns. The Miss San Diego 2020 Scholarship Competition was held on Feb. 22 at the Young Actors Theatre to help women build their public speaking skills and confidence, make new friends and win scholarship money.

Two San Diego State students took home top prizes at the competition. Marketing and business freshman Mary Kohaut won Miss San Diego and public health senior Melissa Cook won runner-up.

“It overall is just a big way to boost one’s confidence and learn about how to be comfortable in your own skin,” Cook said. “It’s a lot of pressure to walk up in front of people and be judged about your appearance or how you speak.”

The first place winner won $500 in scholarship money and the second place winner took home $250. Each contestant could choose a movement or platform to promote during the competition or create one of their own. The red carpet outfit competition also included a 15-second elevator pitch about each contestant’s social impact initiative.

Cook said she chose the campaign Stop Vaping, Start Living because she was alarmed at the high rates of vaping among high schoolers and young teens.

Kohaut said she chose Operation Gratitude and the Military Spouse Association because of her brother who’s in the army. Kohaut said once you win a title, the events and volunteer work can become time consuming. She put in about 24 to 30 hours a month for her previous title.

Cook said what inspired her to join Miss San Diego was her sister. Her sister had competed when she was in college in the Miss America Organization, and she made it very far, winning more than $40,000. Her favorite part of being a part of Miss San Diego was the support she got from her family and friends. Many made signs and paid $25 to see her in the pageant.

“Prior to the competition, I listened to Mel talk about it – all the training and preparation she was doing for it and I felt like it was this secret life she was living because I couldn’t imagine it,” Cook’s friend, Brianna Ruloma said. “Then to see her on stage, so confident and radiant, I was just in complete awe. I felt empowered by her presence and I just can’t wait to see all she does in her bright future.”

Cook said the Miss San Diego Scholarship Organization is the largest provider for scholarships for women in the nation.

Miss California pageants have undergone a lot of rule changes such as eliminating the swimsuit category and renaming the evening wear section to the red carpet section to encourage alternative outfits options such as pantsuits. Kohaut has competed in the Miss California and Miss Canyon Hills pageants before and this is her second local title win.

“I’ve seen girls go in who started out so shy and by the end of it they loved it,” Kohaut said. “The environment and community – it’s not like ‘Toddlers and Tiaras.’ The stereotype that it’s a pageant and you have to be beautiful and you have to be confident. It’s like the complete opposite of that. It’s a scholarship organization.”

In the past year Kohaut has competed, she’s won $2,600 in scholarship money. Miss San Diego had practices every week for roughly two months before the competition. They practiced public speaking and walking while bonding with the other contestants. There were six judges and they judged each woman based 50% on talent, 30% on an interview and 20% was based determined by on-stage questions.

“The majority of the points are given for the interview process which is very intense,” Kohaut’s mother, Maureen Kohaut, said. “These girls need to know everything going on in politics, express their knowledge and opinion without offending anyone.”

Cook is a contemporary pianist and she played “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey for her talent portion. Kohaut sang “Feeling Good” by Michael Bublé. Each woman only had 90 seconds to perform their talent.

Miss San Diego 2020 and the way the pageant world is evolving gives women opportunities to connect with causes that matter to them and further their education. Both Cook and Kohaut look forward to entering future pageants and creating a better community through the connections they’ve created.

tribulations she’s experienced throughout the years while seeing human beings, including her own brother, with no criminal records stripped of their humanity in detention centers due to their lack of papers. She left the audience saying, “hateful language leads to hateful acts, let’s change the narrative.”

Dr. Shirley Weber, spoke of her own story coming from a family of sharecroppers and going on to earn her degree from UCLA. She established the Department of Africana Studies at SDSU where she taught for 40 years. Weber spoke about the importance of having self-identity and not being generalized as a minority group, but to embrace and prosper in your culture’s individual community and independence. “People always tell me that I am courageous, but that is not true,” Weber said. “I am the beneficiary of courage. Regardless, it is important to have courage in your conviction.”

The keynote speaker of the night, Dolores Huerta, closed out the conference. She is a civil rights activist who worked with Cesar Chavez to co-found the National Farmworkers Association. She spoke about the vital importance of voting and how a democracy is only effective if we are civically engaged. Today, at nearly 90 years old, Huerta is still going doorto-door encouraging people to vote and to make their voices heard. The speaker’s impact resonated with many individuals in attendance. Psychology freshman Citlaly Ramirez, a member of LSSWA, said the personal anecdotes shared at the event suck with her most.

“I found it specifically moving when Dulce Garcia was telling real stories about people suffering over the way our country treats refugees,” Ramirez said. “I think it was a really emotional moment knowing both kids and adults risk their lives for a better future.”

Cease said the group has made lots of progress this year and she is eager to see the team bond at the ICCA Semifinals.

“I’m excited to continue growing as a group, we’ve already come a long way, see what we’ve got becoming closer with everyone,” Cease said.

Despite the new heights the team has already reached, Rakieten believes the team hasn’t reached its ceiling yet, and the ICCA Semifinals will be their chance to get even better.

“These guys are so committed to what they do and so passionate so I can’t wait to see their growth,” Rakieten said.

Soundwave will be competing in the ICCA Semifinals in Phoenix, Arizona on March 28.

If you are interested in joining Soundwave, they hold annual auditions for new members in the fall, usually in September.

Greenfest springs up with a week full of sustainable activities

by Juniper Per kins STAFF WRITER

Greenfest is finally here with a week filled to the brim with exciting events.

This year’s theme: reach with your roots. “We’ve been planning this week for months now,” Greenfest Chair and marketing senior Nickolas Wohlman said. “It’s an awesome celebration of all the work we’ve put into it. There’s no one specific event. I’m just so excited to be in all of them.”

Rain may impact events, but stay updated by following Greenfest on Instagram at @greenfestsdsu. Here’s a look at the long-awaited festival.

DAY ONE Greenfest commenced with Viva la Tierra on Monday, March 9. This new event focuses on creative ways to recycle with art. Students used recycled bike parts to create their own jewelry while watching artists express their love for the earth.

“I know it’s midterms and everyone’s taking tests,” Wohlman said. “If we can take them away from all that stress … to inspire one person, that would be a success to me.”

Later that day, Montezuma Hall was transformed into a candlelit oasis. Doctor of Physical Therapy and registered yoga teacher Jen Shaw led a restorative yoga flow for students and faculty.

DAY TWO The second day, Tuesday, March 10, was marked by activism and learning. Another new program, the Envirojustice Fair, filled the Aztec Student Union with community activists and local organizations to talk about environmental justice. Due to the rain, the groups took shelter by Oggi’s.

“I came into SDSU knowing nothing about sustainability or the environment,” Student Team Competitions Chair and ISCOR junior Ubaldo Martinez said. “I made a friend who was the chair of Greenfest at the time and I fell in love with it … it even urged me to change my major to ISCOR because now I’m able to specialize in the environment.”

That evening, Green Game Night took the Union by storm. Students were encouraged to disconnect from social media and connect with people in person. Several environmental-themed games tested students’ knowledge of sustainability, environmental justice and more.

DAY THREE On Wednesday, March 11, Green Love and the Native American Student Alliance collaborated to put on the Green Lunch Bag Series. From noon to 2 p.m., the Union Theatre will host local indigenous scholars for a panel discussing sovereignty, sustainability and environmental justice. There will be free Oggi’s and beverages.

“Sustainability to me is being more conscious of your environment,” Wohlman said. “Not even just the physical environment but your social environment too because there’s a lot of cultural issues when it comes to socio-economic justice. It boils down to being more conscious of the people around you, saving the earth for generations to come.”

Then for the second event, people with a passion for fashion won’t want to miss out. “It’s always my favorite part,” Martinez said. “This year I’m hosting it too so it makes it that much better.”

The Greenfest Fashion Show will be in the Montezuma lounge from 6 to 8 p.m. Students decked out in recycled, upcycled and generally sustainable creations will stomp and strut their ways down the runway in three categories: anything But, thrifting and ECOuture. Local thrift stores will also be in attendance to promote their stores.

“We have the Anything But category where contestants are basically modeling attire that is made of anything but clothing,” Martinez said. “In the past they’ve done Trader Joe’s bags, plastic bags, you name it.”

DAY FOUR On Thursday, March 12, Greenfest will table at the weekly farmers’ market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A couple of hours later, The Rooted open mic night is planned to take place in the Union Courtyard from 4 to 6 p.m. In collaboration with Xpress!, Greenfest hopes to highlight diversity and pride in allowing students to share their own way of personal expression. Students will have the opportunity to check out local vendors, live painting and more.

Greenfest wants everyone to “celebrate our differences through all platforms of art and support our local community,” according to their website. Greenfest will also host two major giveaways that night.

DAY FIVE Friday, March 13, is the day of the highly anticipated Greenfest Concert, headlined by the alternative rock group Young the Giant. Events begin at 4 p.m. in the Union Courtyard with the concert kick off. Get hyped for the concert while watching student performers and eating free food.

Rain or shine, doors for the concert open at 7 p.m. at the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre. Student tickets are $15 and guest tickets are $25. A valid Red ID is required for each ticket purchased. If you haven’t gotten yours yet, your last chance is 4:30 p.m. at the Viejas Arena Ticket Office on the day of the concert.

Battle of the Bands winner Ariel Imani will open with some of her new music.

6 The Daily Aztec Arts & Culture

March 11 - 17, 2020 EDITOR: Ceighlee Fennel • arts@thedailyaztec.com

Student wins pageant crown, prize money

by Catlan Nguyen STAFF WRITER

Photo Courtesy of Christi Ransom SDSU student wins $500 in the Miss San Diego 2020 Scholarship Competition, complete with roses and crown.

There’s much more to pageants than the elaborate dresses and crowns. The Miss San Diego 2020 Scholarship Competition was held on Feb. 22 at the Young Actors Theatre to help women build their public speaking skills and confidence, make new friends and win scholarship money.

Two San Diego State students took home top prizes at the competition. Marketing and business freshman Mary Kohaut won Miss San Diego and public health senior Melissa Cook won runner-up.

“It overall is just a big way to boost

one’s confidence and learn about how to be comfortable in your own skin,” Cook said. “It’s a lot of pressure to walk up in front of people and be judged about your appearance or how you speak.”

The first place winner won $500 in scholarship money and the second place winner took home $250. Each contestant could choose a movement or platform to promote during the competition or create one of their own. The red carpet outfit competition also included a 15-second elevator pitch about each contestant’s social impact initiative.

Cook said she chose the campaign Stop Vaping, Start Living because she was alarmed at the high rates of vaping among

high schoolers and young teens.

Cook said what inspired her to join Miss San Diego was her sister. Her sister had competed when she was in college in the Miss America Organization, and she made it very far, winning more than $40,000. Her favorite part of being a part of Miss San Diego was the support she got from her family and friends. Many made signs and paid $25 to see her in the pageant.

Kohaut said she chose Operation Gratitude and the Military Spouse Association because of her brother who’s in the army. Kohaut said once you win a title, the events and volunteer work can become time consuming. She put in about 24 to 30 hours a month for her previous title.

“Prior to the competition, I listened to Mel talk about it – all the training and preparation she was doing for it and I felt like it was this secret life she was living because I couldn’t imagine it,” Cook’s friend, Brianna Ruloma said. “Then to see her on stage, so confident and radiant, I was just in complete awe. I felt empowered by her presence and I just can’t wait to see all she does in her bright future.”

Cook said the Miss San Diego Scholarship Organization is the largest provider for scholarships for women in the nation.

Miss California pageants have undergone a lot of rule changes such as eliminating the swimsuit category and renaming the evening wear section to the red carpet section to encourage alternative outfits options such as pantsuits. Kohaut has competed in the Miss California and Miss Canyon Hills pageants before and this is her

second local title win.

“I’ve seen girls go in who started out so shy and by the end of it they loved it,” Kohaut said. “The environment and community – it’s not like ‘Toddlers and Tiaras.’ The stereotype that it’s a pageant and you have to be beautiful and you have to be confident. It’s like the complete opposite of that. It’s a scholarship organization.”

In the past year Kohaut has competed, she’s won $2,600 in scholarship money. Miss San Diego had practices every week for roughly two months before the competition. They practiced public speaking and walking while bonding with the other contestants. There were six judges and they judged each woman based 50% on talent, 30% on an interview and 20% was based determined by on-stage questions.

“The majority of the points are given for the interview process which is very intense,” Kohaut’s mother, Maureen Kohaut, said. “These girls need to know everything going on in politics, express their knowledge and opinion without offending anyone.”

Cook is a contemporary pianist and she played “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey for her talent portion. Kohaut sang “Feeling Good” by Michael Bublé. Each woman only had 90 seconds to perform their talent.

Miss San Diego 2020 and the way the pageant world is evolving gives women opportunities to connect with causes that matter to them and further their education. Both Cook and Kohaut look forward to entering future pageants and creating a better community through the connections they’ve created.