Gilroy contestant Kelly Pantaleoni competed for the title of
Miss California USA 2011, Sunday at the Agua Caliente Casino
Resort
&
amp; Spa in Rancho Mirage.
Gilroy contestant Kelly Pantaleoni competed for the title of Miss California USA 2011, Sunday at the Agua Caliente Casino Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage.
She didn’t make it to the final rounds, but Pantaleoni said the friends she met and the contacts she made were what mattered most. Alyssa Campanella from Hillsborough took the crown.
“The experience was very good, but very exhausting,” said Pantaleoni. “Just getting onstage, being in front of the judges, the other girls, the hotel, everything – it was just great to meet other girls that all have the same goal as you. They made the experience much more worthwhile.”
Pantaeloni said contestants helped each other out with things such as makeup, hair and getting dressed.
The 19-year-old was born in Walnut Creek, and lived there for one year before moving and growing up in New South Wales, Australia. In February she moved to Gilroy to live with her dad. Pantaleoni’s father was born and raised in the Bay Area, and has lived in Gilroy for the past five years.
When asked if she would do it all over again, Pantaleoni was on the fence.
“I’m considering it,” said Pantaleoni. “It’s very exhausting, and time consuming, but it’s a lot of fun.”
