Olivia Gandy Named Miss Ojai 2007

By Nao Braverman

As outgoing queen Jackie Van Etten applauds, Miss Ojai 2007, Olivia Gandy, steps up to receive her crown at Saturday’s Ojai Valley Pageant.

Even tomboys can be Miss Ojai.
This year’s winner of the Ojai Valley Pageant, Olivia Gandy, is a stellar athlete. Though she looks stunning in a sparkling blue evening gown, Gandy was playing sports right up until the contest, said the pageant coordinator, Nancy Hill-Hinz.
“Even tomboys clean up real nicely.”
Contestants work for two and a half months learning about wellness, how to care for their skin and bodies, and they even get training in etiquette. Hinz learned her etiquette skills when she was training to be a flight attendant and borrowed techniques to pass on to pageant contestants.
In its 55th year the Ojai Valley Pageant proves to be a good old-fashioned traditional pageant, she said.
The contestants paraded across the stage, smiling brightly for a packed Libbey Bowl audience with the backdrop of an American flag and red, white and blue streamers.
“These girls were all really fabulous,” said Hinz. “It was a really hard one to call.”
Gandy, outgoing and talented, impressed the judges with a great interview, said Hinz.
Gandy said she looks forward to serving the community.
“It should be a good year,” she said.
Judges for this year’s Miss Ojai pageant were Buddy Wilds, Robert McNeal, Lori Creiton, Phil Long, Ron Rowe, Tre Bernstein, and Shannon Gilmore.
Jack and Paul Jacobs tabulated the votes.
The preteen winner was Megan Kauer, preteen first runner-up was Bobbi Shane. Teen contest winner was Emily Diamond, first runner-up teen was Crystal Zelenka, Mandy Rhodes won the Little Miss Ojai contest, Madison Miller was the first runner up Little Miss. First runner-up for the Miss Ojai contest was Joanne Mascon. Anthony Andre won the male model contest and Joshua Bonitas won first runner-up.