Two Santa Clarita locals will be representing the Santa Clarita Valley in the Miss California USA competition in January.
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West Ranch High and California State University Northridge alum Chantal Khalilieh, 22, and Madison Summers, 17, of Valencia, participated in an audition in September, when they were selected.
Khalilieh will be representing the Santa Clarita Valley in the Miss California USA pageant, and Summers will be competing in the Miss Teen California USA competition.
“It’s a good opportunity to give back to the community and represent my city and my state, as well as being a role model for younger girls,” said Khalilieh, who works as a legal secretary for Wai and Connor a Pasadena-based law firm. She previously was an intern at KHTS AM-1220.
There are 140 contestants participated in the adult division, and 75 competing for the teen title.
The pair were chosen by Mardi Rivetti, director of the Miss Santa Clarita Valley Scholarship Program, who will also be their pageant coach.
The orientation for this year’s competition, which will take place at the Terrace Theater in Long Beach, was held Saturday.
Tickets are still available on TicketMaster for the event, which is going on Jan. 3-4.
Neither contestant is a stranger to the pageant circuit.
Khalilieh competed in the Miss Santa Clarita Valley pageant eight years ago, as a teenager, and Summers earned the title Miss Teen Santa Clarita for 2012-13.
On her fundraising page, Summers, who has experience in stage acting, ballet and “ a little ukulele,” said she hopes to study psychology in the fall at San Francisco State.
Khalilieh said her main sponsor so far has been Jen Gerard, of Whitening Lightning, a Santa Clarita-based business owner whose product has been featured in numerous competitions and events, such as the County Music Awards, the Academy Awards and the Emmys.
Both Khalilieh and Summers said despite the help they’ve received, they’re still seeking support for the competition.
Summers has set up a fundraising page, and Khalilieh said the best way to contact her if anyone is interested in supporting their local rep is through her Facebook page.
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