Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your
contribution is not tax-deductible.)
PayPal Acct: 
Feedback: 
Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):
|
| Subject: Please consider! | |
Author: Miss CA Class of 2013 | [ Next Thread |
Previous Thread |
Next Message |
Previous Message
] Date Posted: 10:39:51 01/28/14 Tue Hi everyone! As you may know, our Miss California class bonded quite well throughout our year as titleholders. We share a bond that is the sisterhood that this organization creates based off of its ideals and standards. We are all women of integrity and character, each with our own personality and special features that make beautiful. We are the future faces of this organization, and a representation of what it stands for. In interviews, we are almost always asked about "bullying," and what can be done to stop it from happening. We are the role models to girls nationwide who have been a victim of bullying, and refuse to be bystanders. It is with this that we must voice our concerns for the nature of posts in this message board. As modern American women we value our freedom of speech and respect that of others just as highly. However, we ask you to "think before you post" for the sake of maintaining the integrity of the Miss America Organization. We appreciate the support that this state has, which is evident by the passion you all convey in your posts. We love you because we are your daughters, friends, titleholders, or because we see what great things this organization can do for all who are involved. We do not want to see your support waver, nor do we want to see the negative repercussions of heated posts. We ask that you please just consider this before you write. Bullying stops by being an upstander - which as titleholders (past and present) we are dedicated to being. Thank you for your consideration! [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |
| [> Subject: We all see this board, and we are all sick of it. I approve this message. | |
|
Author: Katie Wayland [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 12:40:19 01/28/14 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: As contestants, we are the women who are usually at the expense of everyone's mean and judgmental comments. So we ask you all to STOP using this message board! Stop saying mean things about contestants, volunteers, or yourself. This is a form a bullying and this is frowned upon by everyone. To those who post mean things, you wouldn't tolerate it if someone said mean things about you or your daughter, so stop doing it to others. We are all apart of the Miss CA family and if you can't be nice to our family then please keep your comments to yourself! | |
|
Author: Marina Inserra [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 12:53:00 01/28/14 Tue -- [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: As a former Miss California, and proudly, the one who had the privilege to grow close to every young woman in this extraordinary class, I second all that has been said in this post. Everyone knows that as the state pageant comes closer, the claws and poison comes out. Don't waste your time this year. I love these girls and it's time we take a stand against the cyberbullying on this board. The Miss California Class of 2013 RULES! You GO GIRLS! | |
|
Author: Leah Cecil Tibbitts [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 13:02:32 01/28/14 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: I absolutely stand behind this! Of course contestants are told to ignore this horrible place, but temptation always gets us in the end and just like sneaking that cookie we also look at this board. I would love it if this whole thing disappeared but it never will. These women are my sisters and to quote Miss Congeniality, "And if anyone, anyone - tries to hurt one of my new friends, I would take them out." | |
|
Author: Megan Wisler - and proud to support my friends [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 13:33:19 01/28/14 Tue -- [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> Subject: Re: I absolutely stand behind this! Of course contestants are told to ignore this horrible place, but temptation always gets us in the end and just like sneaking that cookie we also look at this board. I would love it if this whole thing disappeared but it never will. These women are my sisters and to quote Miss Congeniality, "And if anyone, anyone - tries to hurt one of my new friends, I would take them out." | |
|
Author: Millie Grgas [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 16:29:56 01/29/14 Wed ...i just snuck a cookie...shhhhhh [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: As a member of the Class of 2013, I will stand behind my friends and fight along side each other to stop cyber bullying. | |
|
Author: Shea Marie Frates [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 14:04:36 01/28/14 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Re: Please consider! | |
|
Author: Molly Crawford [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 14:09:34 01/28/14 Tue The Miss California Class of 2013 has proven to be a huge family, despite obstacles like this message board trying to stand in the way of that. From tearing apart my miss counterparts when I was a teen, to tearing apart my director, friend and mentor, it's gone on long enough. I'm proud to say I was in the Miss CA c/o 2013 and I'm certainly proud to stand by my sisters in standing up to this message board and weird, anonymous people behind it. [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: I am who I am today because of this organization. I am able to voice my opinion in a graceful and respectable way, walk across a stage confidently in a gown, and truly be myself because of the people involved in this organization. My secondary education is a result of the gracious sponsors who donate to this organization. But most importantly, I have some of my best friends by my side because they were not just my "competitors," but my supporters in this organization. It is incredibly saddening to see the potential for the reputation of this program to be tarnished due to unkind posts, and hope that again, everyone will support us in standing up for this organization's ideals and all it has to offer. Love you all, sistasashes! | |
|
Author: Bree Morse [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 14:38:43 01/28/14 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: You all make me so proud! I've so happy and overwhelmed by all of your strength AND banning together. So So Proud!!! | |
|
Author: Issie [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 15:24:57 01/28/14 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Re: Please consider! | |
|
Author: Whitney Leyva [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 16:19:30 01/28/14 Tue The friendships I have made durning 2012 were the best ever! I love each and every one of my Miss Ca girls. To this day I can still call them my friends BECAZUE we try to meet for dinner when we can! I vowed to never look at this page because of the bullying or favoritism that goes on.. Because girls like myself who don't see their names as one of the girls to make top 15 can be damaging to ones self esteem. Luckily iv been blessed with supportive family, friends, miss ca sisters, and an AWESOME EXCUTIVE DIRECTOR .. That the bullies on this page are nothing but white noise in my ear... Think about how your actions will effect other. [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
[> Subject:  I, too, hope that all participants of this board will be mindful about their involvement, choice of words, and the impact of their actions. I admire the bravery and strength of the Miss California class and also the generosity and kindness of the MCO volunteers and members. I implore everyone to try to keep an open mind and to practice compassion towards everyone. Thank you for reading this and thank you everyone for making my experience with MCO a phenomenal one!
|
|
|
Author: Aimee Le [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 16:27:04 01/28/14 Tue "We need to be clear which emotions are harmful and which are helpful; then cultivate those that are conducive to peace of mind. Often, due to a lack of knowledge, we accept anger and hatred as natural parts of our minds. This is an example of ignorance being the source of our problems. To reduce our destructive emotions we strengthen the positive ones; such emotional hygiene can contribute to a healthier society." -- The XIV Dalai Lama [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: I have always been proud to be a product of the Miss America Organization, but today, I couldn't have been more inspired by my Miss California sisters. They are intelligent, compassionate, and classy women that do not tolerate any form of hate. We #standup together against any bullying of our precious volunteers and Miss California sisters. We value every single one of our volunteers because they have believed in us, mentored us, and helped make us who we are. I have never been so proud to be a part of the Miss California Class of 2013. Here's to the ladies that stand up for what they believe in, while making a difference in their communities, earning scholarship money for their college education and making this world a better place… All while rocking 5 inch heels. | |
|
Author: Carly Valdes [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 17:14:23 01/28/14 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Re: Please consider! | |
|
Author: MacKenzie Freed [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 17:47:39 01/28/14 Tue I stand behind this movement 100%!! It is so sad that an organization that advocates building women up and putting them into positions of power and influence uses this arena to tear those same women down. I truly believe this could be a constructive place instead of a pariah. I LOVE the Miss CA Class of 2013 and all of the passion we put into things we believe in, this included. [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
|
[> Subject: You ladies are a CLASS ACT! So proud of you!
|
|
|
Author: Linda D. [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 18:40:44 01/28/14 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: It is so painful to see the men and women who are a part of the MCO family get bullied on this board. I have met some amazing young women through this organization and it hurts to see any of them being hurt by words of cowards. That is what all you anon posters are. Just cowards hiding behind your keyboards. So many influential volunteers who have made a lasting and positive impact on my life are subjected to harsh and hurtful words. It's time the bullies on here realize that the people they are writing about are human beings with feelings. We are all adults and I hope that we can all move forward with a new positive tone for 2014 and years to come. | |
|
Author: Courtney Trouten [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 19:34:33 01/28/14 Tue [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: I agree. :) I love this post. We are the face of the MAO and I am proud to be a part of such a wonderful organization. | |
|
Author: Sarah Salazar [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 20:38:39 01/28/14 Tue Yes! [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: I think the ladies here are not only speaking for the Miss CA Class of 2013, but on behalf of the entire organization, past present and future. I am so proud to call all you ladies my friends and stand up with you against the constant bullying that occurs on this page. To the negative posters, enough is enough. No more anonymous bashing! If you've got something, put a name on it! | |
|
Author: Ryan Osborn [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 04:22:29 01/29/14 Wed [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: bump | |
|
Author: bump [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 06:13:26 01/29/14 Wed [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Re: Please consider! | |
|
Author: Laura Pankratz [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 06:28:24 01/29/14 Wed I'm so proud to call these strong woman my sisters! Think before you post! [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: I think this is an unusually beautiful class of contestants and great examples to all of us. In all my years I've never known a class of contestants who are so bonded and strong and actually like each other, no matter how they ranked at finals. Some of the girls posted above were top 10, some of them never made the cut but they still feel love for each other and for their experience at MCO. Not only did Leah set the tone to ignite warm fellowship but these girls willingly stepped up and put their true character into action so generously. I'm so grateful they are being such bright examples to this years class. | |
|
Author: Here's to 90 more years! [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 06:55:23 01/29/14 Wed [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Re: Please consider! | |
|
Author: Kara Smoot [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 07:28:19 01/29/14 Wed As one of the strongest programs in the country, we should be empowering one another, not breaking people down through anonymous, disparaging posts. I urge negative posters to please stop and think before making a damaging statement about anyone in our organization. We love the Miss California Organization and ALL of the volunteers who put their heart and soul into making this program the success that it is today! [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Re: Please consider! | |
|
Author: Bailee Lyles [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 10:12:17 01/29/14 Wed I am so blessed with all of these ladies! I have delt with bullies all of my life and I AM TIRED OF IT! Stop the madness! These are the most intelligent and beautiful women you will EVER meet in your life so why tear down the good people? Do you really feel so compelled to tear us apart? Get another hobby that isn't talking horribly about these incredible young women! And this board is all talking anonymously but if we were to meet face to face you would act like you have never talked about me before! GROW UP! We are not in high school people! I'm sorry if I am harsh but it is because this is so close to my heart and I thought this would end in high school, but apparently not. Please stop this. We don't need the negativity anymore. We know it's not healthy for us but it's especially not healthy for you. Leave this board with positivity and not hate. God bless and #standup! [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Re: Please consider! | |
|
Author: Katy Tang [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 11:58:30 01/29/14 Wed On behalf of the amazing Miss California Class of 2013, all the young women who have and will be involved in this incredible organization, and all the dedicated volunteers who contribute to the MAO, I'm happy to speak up and say that I full-heartedly support this effort to #standup. Gossip, negativity, and overall immature thoughtless behavior are everywhere. We are indeed surrounded by it, especially with the technology and social media outlets of today's modern world. Wearing that crown means being able to rise above that. Many contestants are told about these boards in a genuine effort to warn them to avoid them, but the very mention of them throws fuel to the fire, and so they become unavoidable even if they are only mentioned in petty conversation. Though unofficial, and despite who may be posting, it should not be simply accepted that these forums are a place for the exact opposite behavior of what this organization stands for to take place. Proud to call these Miss CA sisters my friends. They embody the sentiment that you must be the change you that you want to see in the world. [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
[> Subject:  How sad that the Guru board has removed a thread praising these actions. But then again the Guru is the worst offender.
|
|
|
Author: So typical of Guru [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 12:29:01 01/29/14 Wed [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Re: Please consider! | |
|
Author: Millie Grgas (empowered) [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 12:37:11 01/29/14 Wed I feel compelled to chime in here, not to berate those who might, in the past or at present, feel the inclination for to belittle the women of this organization with critiques that go far beyond the realm of 'positive critical feedback.' Many of the nasty things said on this board have hurt the women I have come to know and love as my extended family. These are women who genuinely make a difference in their communities every day as role models, and yes, we're competing for a crown, a scholarship, and a year of service and life-changing opportunities, NORMALLY afforded only to the elite and privileged of birth. It kills me every time I read the insensitive, thoughtless remarks posted by nameless, faceless, electronic entities that are nothing more than ghosts in the machine, but whose voracious appetite for the incessant harassment of individuals seeks to defile and assassinate the good character of the women to whom they refer on this board. I realize that there are those among the guilty that do not realize how hurtful reading some of these posts can be. To you, I ask politely, to please place yourself or your child on the receiving end of your commentary prior to hitting 'send.' But to those who pen the spiteful remarks in hopes of crushing someone, I must say I pity that you will never know how wonderful the Miss California and Miss America sisterhoods are. This MCO Class of 2013, as those who preceded us, are the next generation of leaders. The women that are the face of this organization are becoming the face of the world. Former titleholders hold positions of authority in every field from Medicine to Politics to High Fashion to Silicon Valley startups....truly the list goes on. I'm sorry that you feel the need to release such negativity in the form of Voy posts and if the problem persists, I recommend that you seek out professional help and advisement to begin your healing process. We are not immune to your cruel words, but the $45 million in college scholarships we earn annually certainly help make up for the ignorant remarks, as we continue to seek out higher education and you languish here at your computer. I love these girls, I am inspired by them every time we meet, and unless you want to cross paths with a silver-tongued, rhinestone-clad MCO 2013 alumna .... please restrain yourselves @ MCO Class of 2013 #standup Who run the world, mamas? <3 Respectfully submitted, Milena Grgas [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Re: Please consider! | |
|
Author: Tayler Wolfe [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 12:49:38 01/29/14 Wed I am honored to be a part of the Miss California class of 2013 and support my friends 100%. Through every word we have the ability to build up or tear down. lets #standup and be movers and shakers of the world by the encouragement and positivity we have to offer. [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Re: Please consider! | |
|
Author: Ashley Newman [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 13:41:22 01/29/14 Wed As a middle school teacher, I see the effects of cyber bullying every single day with my students. In fact, I had a student who came in after school today to talk to me about this very subject. She was telling me how hard middle school is because her peers make fun of her looks and weight- both in person and online. I told her that she just has to live her life without worrying about what other people think. She looked at me, though, and said, "But sometimes it feels like I don't have a life." Bullying has affected her so much that she now feels so little of herself, and that is beyond sad. It astounds me that we, as an organization, preach about anti-bullying and anti-cyber bullying; but yet, supporters of our organization come on boards like this and put people down left and right. Cyber bullying on an anonymous message board isn't any different than the cyber bullying we urge our middle schoolers to stop doing. #standup [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Re: Please consider! | |
|
Author: Jessica Tonti [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 15:12:05 01/29/14 Wed Wow, am I proud reading through these messages! You go class of 2013 <3 I may not be apart of the 2013 class, but I can most definitely attest to the wonders that this organization has done in my life. I have met countless directors, volunteers, and "sisters" who speak nothing but encouragement and faith into us as title holders. Yes, there may have been mistakes made here and there by certain individuals, or disagreements about how things are done, but that by NO means makes the bullying behavior that is being displayed on this forum acceptable. We are on organizations that promotes serving and building up of those around us, not the tearing down. Thank you ladies for banding together and confronting this issue! So blessed to call you all sisters. [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Bumping this so the negative posts will sink to the bottom!! | |
|
Author: Ryan Osborn [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 18:42:41 01/29/14 Wed [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: It makes me so proud to see the Miss CA Class of 2013 taking a stand against the bullying.. CLICK IN | |
|
Author: Sarah Rutan, Miss Napa County ED (Napa 08, Northern CA Regional 09 and Marin 11) [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 15:57:18 01/30/14 Thu It makes me so proud to see the Miss CA Class of 2013 taking a stand against the bullying that goes on in this organization. I, too, absolutely LOVE the Miss CA Organization so much that I became an Executive Director the moment I aged out but there was indeed a horrible time where I too was bullied by only the lord knows who on this board. In 2009, I was given the opportunity to go back to Miss CA as an open titleholder and little did I know that meant becoming a target for extreme scrutiny by people who knew NOTHING about me. I was strung out over the coals for my height, weight, looks, wardrobe, and especially my talent. I know, BETTER than anyone, that singing was not my strong suit but thats not why I entered this program. I entered to earn over $21,000 in scholarship over 8 years, to meet my best friends and to form relationships with volunteers who have shaped my life. From all that bullying, I, happy little me, went through a deep depression and thought, "being a part of this can't be worth what I am going through" and almost left this organization forever. It took my friends and family pulling me up from my boot straps and living by the words, "whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger" to move forward. Thank goodness I didn't let it get the best of me because being Miss Marin County 2011 two years later will forever be one of the best years of my entire life. Who knows who HAS left because of bullying and what they could have done for our program? Im proud of this class. Its time someone said #standup [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: As a Miss America and a long-time contestant in the Miss America Organization, KUDOS to you ladies for standing up! A member of our MA 2013 Class posted this thread in our Facebook group and I am so happy to see all of you sticking together. Sadly, it's usually not the young women that compete for MAO that are the "catty" ones, it's the outsiders who give us a bad name. As someone who watched her entire year be picked apart (or praised!) on the national voy board, I can say that NO MATTER WHAT YOU SAY, EVERY GIRL READS THE BOARDS. If you wouldn't want someone to "say" something that you are typing about your own daughter, do think four times before posting it online. These girls are right...this message board is often used as a means of bullying; people saying things they would NEVER say to our faces. Congrats, MCA c/o 2013 for being AWESOME! | |
|
Author: Mallory Hagan, Miss America 2013 [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 16:26:19 01/30/14 Thu [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> [> Subject: Thanks Mallory! You and Leah were a great example to us all year! Your words mean a lot to so many! | |
|
Author: Love, CA sisters [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 20:40:03 01/30/14 Thu [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: bump | |
|
Author: . [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 16:48:37 01/30/14 Thu . [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Way to go! | |
|
Author: *&* [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 19:56:32 01/31/14 Fri [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |
| [> Subject: Re: Please consider! | |
|
Author: Bump [ Edit | View ] |
Date Posted: 21:42:44 02/07/14 Fri Bump [ Post a Reply to This Message ] |