SAN DIEGO — A San Diego woman is three steps away from becoming Miss Universe.
In this Zevely Zone, I went to Bay Terraces to meet Miss San Diego Victoria Rhodes. Even when life begins with a slow start it is never too late for a crowning achievement.
Rhodes is a beauty queen who describes her childhood as ugly. The 28-year-old says she grew up isolated and alone. "Growing up I was not allowed to have friends, I was not allowed to have social media, I literally got my first cell phone my freshman year of college," said Victoria. The San Diego resident who grew up in Georgia would only say her parents had shortcomings.
"This is my vision board," said Victoria who is now solely focused on her future.
"This says right here I am grateful," said Victoria.
Everything, Victoria has ever dreamed about is posted on the board. "What I have here is. 'storyteller.' One thing that I enjoy doing is writing and telling stories," said Victoria. As Miss San Diego USA, Victoria is re-writing 'her' story and not doing it alone.
"Galena sit, good girl Galena," said Victoria who supports service dogs at Canine Companions. "Galena, down, good girl Galena," said Victoria who is a volunteer puppy sitter.
"Galena speak. Good girl Galena," said Victoria who is doing her part to make the life of someone with special needs a little easier.
"Help you turn on the lights, help you take off your socks," said Victoria. "Really cool things, brush your hair, play games, turn pages in a book."
As a child she was very isolated but now as an adult she wants to stand out on stage. "I am surprising myself, I am surprising my family. I never thought I could do something like this," said Victoria.
That something is the Miss California USA pageant in June in Orange County, then if she wins maybe her journey will continue to become Miss USA in Los Angeles in August. Victoria is dreaming big which possibly means she could be the winner who will represent the United States at Miss Universe 2024 to be held in Mexico.
On her vision board, she has a bucket filled with pageant practice questions. "Yes, over two hundred questions inside," said Victoria. She will dance in the pageant, and wear an evening gown and swimsuit, but she's most excited about answering any question the judges want to ask her. I picked a question from the bucket and fired away. "How do you respond to people who have a negative view of pageants?" I asked. Victoria responded without hesitation," One thing I can always share with them is my personal experience. Pageants have a very positive influence on women and are very relevant today. One thing that I feel is important about my title as Miss San Diego is every time I put this sash on. I am being held accountable for everything I said I was going to do and achieve this year."
"Miss Universe, here we come," I said.
During our visit, make-up artist Magely Martinez gussied Victoria up for our interview. For more information on her services go to MagelyMartinez.com. To learn more on how you can get involved with Canine Companions please visit their website at www.canine.org
Victoria Rhodes is trying to raise money to help pay for her trip to Miss California USA at the Hyatt Regency Orange County on June 21-23. If you'd like to support her visit www.misscaliforniausa.com, select sponsorship, and sponsor a delegate and write her name on the memo line or you can make a donation to her Venmo account @Victoria-Rhodes-40.