Beauty showcased in pageant

For three competitors in the Miss California USA Pageant, the final competition Saturday night at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center will be especially sweet - win or lose.

Cal State Long Beach students Jennifer Lee Croxen, Araceli Gomez and Dione Washington are three of the 69 women vying for the title of Miss California USA 1995. The winner will compete in the Miss USA Pageant in 1995.

The three contestants said they feel right at home competing at CSULB.

Croxen, a business major, said by having the competition on campus she can enjoy the support of family and friends who are able to attend.

"It's also a mental advantage," said Washington, a graduate student in recreation and leisure studies.

Gomez, a liberal studies major, said that she, "feels at home," with the competitio n being at CSULB. All three feel as if they have a home-field advantage.

Each of the three CSULB contestants said they began competing in pageants for different reasons.

Gomez, who holds the title of Miss Southgate 1994 and Miss Latina California 1994, said she began entering pageants out of curiosity.

"It's like an addiction," Gomez said, "you win one and you want to win more."

Croxen who holds the title of Miss Seal Beach 1994 and said that the Miss Seal Beach Pageant was her first beauty pageant competition.

"It was always something that I wanted to do," Croxen said. "You get to know yourself better."

Washington's titles include Miss Compton 1994 and Miss Southern California 1994. "It is a constructive way to be competitive," Washington said.

The CSULB contestants said they got along with the other 66 contestants whom they said were very friendly, but they each have a little advice for future pageant contestants. "Stay comfortable, friendly, but a little cautious," Washington said. "You need to have a positive attitude, high self esteem and be very motivated," Gomez added.

Croxen's advice went beyond achieving the crown. "It's the experience that you get from the pageant and the friendships that you mak e that make it a memorable experience," she said.

Washington had another piece of advice that does not apply to just pageant contestants. "You always have to know who you are and remember in the midst of different people it's easy to try and take d ifferent personalities or to feel that your not what (the judges) are looking for," Washington said. "Keep in mind that were all special in our own ways."