Alexandria Backus, an 18 year old Turlock native, was chosen out of thousands of women to compete in the Miss California USA Pageant and represents our region as Miss Stanislaus.
“I was very excited that I was selected! I felt very honored that they felt I could be a contestant in an pageant I think so highly of,” said Alexandria.
Alexandria has no pageant experience and this was the first year Alexandria could apply for Miss California USA because of the minimum age for contestants, 18 years of age. Alexandria has always admired the Miss USA Pageant since she was a little girl.
“I have always held the Miss Universe organization in a high regard,” said Alexandria. “I have watched the pageants since I was little, and the women always seemed to be beautiful, smart, and good-hearted.”
While Alexandria has no experience with pageants, she believes her life of public performances including early aged dancing, playing piano, and high school cheerleading, will contribute to her being able to competitively perform in the Miss California USA Pageant.
The Miss California Pageant is November 19 – 21, 2010 and is held in Palm Springs. Portions of this event will be televised on NBC in November and lead up to Donald Trump’s Miss USA Pageant.
Until November, Miss Stanislaus’ duties are to raise sponsor money, and to represent her county in the best way that she can.

Alexandria Backus will get together with the other contestants in the Miss California USA Pageant at what are called "media events," including photo shoots and red carpet events. The next event will be held at the Raleigh Movie Studios in Southern California. There will be a runway show Miss California contestants will be in, and it also is involved with the Manhattan Beach Open, which is considered the "crown-jewel" of the AVP Tour (for volleyball).
Along with these official Miss California events, Alexandria is working to find sponsors, doing photo shoots, and planning events to do with sponsors, such as attending their events, and being in a fashion show.
Sponsored donations for Alexandria will go toward a $1,695 entry fee, a competition swim suit, interview outfit, and an evening gown for the competition. Additional support will help her afford time off from her job at Two Guys Red Brick Café to volunteer with charitable efforts, travel to official scheduled events, and even take classes to prepare in areas of judging such as public speaking or fitness.
Support for Miss Stanislaus begins now and is getting vamped up for our area’s first promotional event announcing Miss Stanislaus and fundraising for her. The event will be a fashion show and mixer at On Broadway with Two Guys Catering/ Red Brick Café at the end of August. Details will be announced very soon.
In preparation for the August fundraiser, Miss Stanislaus will be the center of a photo shoot done by Life in the Lens and a video produced by Extreme Vision Films. A casting call for models will be held on July 26, 2010 at 5pm at 435 E. Main Street, Turlock. Anyone interested in modeling or participating in the fashion show needs to RSVP via text to (209) 534-6850. This production team also includes Make-up by Domarina Beitsayad, and Evian Beitbadal and Janet Essavi from I.M.E A PAUL MITCHELL FOCUS SALON.
If anyone would like to sponsor, book an appearance, or support our Miss Stanislaus Alexandria Backus while she strives to become Miss California USA, please contact her at abackus@csustan.edu.
Alexandria Backus Bio:
– 18 year old Turlock native
– Dancing since 2 1/2 years old
– Playing piano since 8 years old
– Attend St. Francis Church, where parents raised her
– Been in church choir, taught Sunday School, and been a member of Daughters of the King
– Attended Turlock High School, was a cheerleader and swimming manager. Graduated in 2009 with a 4.4 GPA, and being a life CSF member.
– Currently attends California State University, Stanislaus. Majoring in Communications, minoring in Journalism (and soon to minoring in English as well). Also the Executive Vice President for the National Society of Collegiate Scholars for our Stanislaus chapter.