We recently spoke with one of the contestants of the Miss California USA 2011 pageant and asked her a few questions about her goals, her charity work and what she would do if she was crowned Miss California. Find out what sets “Miss Diamond Bar USA 2011” apart from the other contestants in the pageant.

1. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

My name is Anna Gutierrez. I am 22 years old and come from a Colombian/American background. I represent Miss Diamond Bar USA 2011 in the Miss California USA 2011 pageant. I attend California State University Fullerton as a Psychology major. I am very energetic, optimistic and passionate. The trait that I am most proud of is my mentality because of how I view and experience life. I am also the type of woman that believes in treating everybody with kindness and respect regardless of flaws perceived by others.

2. When did you first realize you wanted to run for Miss California?

The first time I realized I wanted to run for Miss California was when I was a chubby little girl watching the Miss U.S.A pageant with my mom. Today, realizing that beauty is more than skin deep, I am in the pursuit of a dream that I thought could never be attainable by me. Now, realizing the woman I have developed into being, I feel unstoppable.

3. What qualities do you feel you bring to the table?

I am a woman burning with passion. I see the beauty in people that they themselves fail to see. I believe in equality, love, peace, perseverance, and having philanthropic ideals.

4. What separates you from the other contestants? Advantages?

All the girls are beautiful, talented and philanthropic. I believe what makes me different is the fact that I got to experience and see life through a variety of different eyes. In the past, I saw life through the lenses of a “Geek, compared to society’s standards. Most of my life I was overweight, had braces (can’t forget to mention my lovely headgear), experienced horrible acne and had no fashion sense at all! Who transformed into a woman judged only on her physical appearance. I got to experience life as a spoiled little princess that would get everything her heart ever desired, to also experiencing life as a girl that was left without a home, at a point in her life, that had to live out of a suitcase. I have experienced excelling people’s expectations, as well as disappointing their expectations. I experienced being surrounded by the love of family and friends, to unavoidably feeling the emptiness of solitude. I learned so much from my life experiences and no matter how tough I can recall the situations being, I would relive it all again because that was what developed my mentality of having faith, hope and knowing that you can prevail in all circumstances. Also, it taught me to treat others how I would like to be treated and it achieved my mindset of making people feel appreciated and cared for.

5. What was one of the hardest things you’ve had to overcome in your life?

I have had a lot of hard factors in my life but I think that in everyone the biggest battle is with the critic you have of yourself. The one that tells you, “You’re not good enough to reach your highest potential.” Winning that battle was the hardest and most rewarding battle I have yet to overcome.

6. Are you involved with any charities and if so, can you tell us what philanthropic efforts you’ve contributed to?

I was involved in volunteering at the Lanterman Rehabilitation Center until they recently closed down. It was an experience that taught me a lot about the human brain. No matter how low the I.Q of an individual could be or if mentally they were in a different world than everybody else, they still had the capability to experience happiness. That just taught me that happiness is a gift that can be given to all people. Including people that most would think where mentally incapable of achieving. I also was blessed to experience working with “La Obra” a non- profit organization for the poor children in Colombia. They got to experience a Christmas filled with love, toys, music, laughter, food and Santa Clause!! (who was reenacted by my wonderful brother). It was a great experience because the children were so grateful and happy that it didn’t matter how shy or scared they’re personalities were in the beginning, by the end of the day they would show their gratitude and love towards you. My experience of working at a Public Library has taught me a lot as well. You see all types of people at the Public Library. The variations go from rich, homeless, young, old, exceptionally intelligent, to mentally handicap. The library brings them all together, teaching me that everybody has the same needs and aspirations of self completion to their personal development. Also, that all biases can become non-existent in this world.

7. How can people vote for you? 


People can come support me at the preliminaries and pageant event at The Palm Springs Riviera Resort on November 20th, 21st and 22nd. More updates can be found at www.misscaliforniausa.com website.


8. What would you do if you won the competition?

 If I win the competition, I promise to give my all to show the captivating beauty, ingenuity, congeniality, respect and loyalty that California has to offer.


9. What advice do you have for young contestants who are afraid to compete for Miss California?

I would say, GO FOR IT!!! We are all capable of achieving all of our dreams. We have to remember that our free will gives us the ability to choose what life we want to live and what destiny we want to fulfill. All we need is to be assertive to our goals.

10. Anything else you would like to add?

I would genuinely be so grateful if readers could become my fan on Facebook! Press the like button

at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Anna-Gutierrez/135331253150740?ref=sgm

If you have the ability to sponsor me or help me out in any way, PLEASE HELP ME ACCOMPLISH MY DREAM! You can contact me at: cam1104@hotmail.com. Thank you very much and God Bless.

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