New Miss Auburn looks toward state title

New Miss Auburn Brittany Rosendahl?s will be Miss California dreaming for the next year.Selected Miss Auburn over five other contestants during a pageant Saturday, Rosendahl is eligible to compete for the Miss California crown next Labor Day weekend.The Miss Auburn pageant is a qualifier for the state pageant in Fresno. Rosendahl ? an 18-year-old Sierra Community College student ? will be vying for the California title with about 60 other women.The state title holder moves on to the Miss U.S.A. pageant in January 2005. The 2005 Miss U.S.A. qualifies for the Miss Universe pageant in the summer of 2005.Rosendahl, a Forest Lake Christian School graduate, is the daughter of Rosendahl Construction owner Keith Rosendahl and Leslie Rosendahl, owner of Old Town Auburn?s Bella Vago salon.A Top 10 finisher in Miss Teen California competition at age 16, Rosendahl said Sunday that the announcement the day before that she had won the Miss Auburn pageant had left her feeling surprised.?I called my mom at intermission and told her that I thought I had fumbled on an answer on stage,? Rosendahl said. She had been asked ?Do you feel it?s better to be liked or respected by your peers??Contestants also were judged during an interview, for a speech they gave, and for modeling an evening gown. Unlike the similar Miss America contest, there is no talent competition.Rosendahl is revising her goals after twice appearing in the Miss Teen California pageant.?Ever since I was little, I always wanted to be Miss Teen U.S.A.,? Rosendahl said. ?Now I?m too old.?Competitors for the Miss California-U.S.A-Universe titles can be as old as age 24. Over the next year, Rosendahl said she?ll be getting ready for the next step up by helping in the community, training with pageant organizer Toni Foster on questions and interviews, and going to the gym.With rules allowing a Miss Auburn from one year trying again in future years for the state title, Rosendahl said she could be in the running again if she doesn?t win at the Fresno pageant.?I?m seeing it as a first opportunity,? Rosendahl said.As well as being a freshman in college, Rosendahl holds down two jobs ? as a hostess at a Roseville restaurant and an office assistant in a home design center.While at Forest Lake, she pitched and played second base on the school?s Lady Falcons softball squad. She?s also a snowboarder, who favors Sugar Bowl Ski Resort.Her philosophy is to set high goals.?And achieve them, no matter what obstacles get in your way,? Rosendahl said.As for her successful Miss Auburn debut: ?It?s a good experience and a good way to get involved in the community.?Selected first runner up was Victoria Thibault. Second runner-up was Carin Pomares. Amy Teitscheid was judged most photogenic.The Journal?s Gus Thomson can be reached at gust@goldcountrymedia.com.