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Uploaded: Monday, November 23, 2009, 2:25 PM

Miss California USA crown eludes Paly grad
Amy Rogg describes pageant as a fun, tiring, growing experience

by Royston Sim
Palo Alto Online Staff

Posted by Not a Fan of Beauty Pageants, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Nov 24, 2009 at 12:03 pm

Congratulations Amy for making it into the competition. If you were student body president at Paly you are most likely a very intelligent and capable young woman. I like to think that there are much better things out there than for you to parade around like that for a year (assuming that you would go on to be Miss America!). If this quote is accurate, "The event, she said, taught her "how to be a girl." That included walking like a model, applying professional makeup herself, keeping in shape and being presentable, she said." I am amazed that you couldn't do all of this on your own without having to be in a beauty pageant. Beauty pageants are something that I assumed would be a thing of the past by now. [Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]

Posted by Appearance Matters, a member of the Palo Alto High School community, on Nov 24, 2009 at 1:40 pm

I caught the end of the live pageant on TV because I had read an article about said Paly student competing and they were all giraffes - I'm guessing around 5'10". The one who won was the prettiest of the finalists.

[Portion removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]

Posted by not a libber, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Nov 24, 2009 at 2:18 pm

[Post removed by Palo Alto Online staff.]

Posted by ex palo altan, a resident of the College Terrace neighborhood, on Nov 24, 2009 at 2:38 pm

There may be nothing technically "wrong" with using your looks, but what happened to taking responsibility for your actions? If you're caught violating a law, you should be responsible enough to face the music. What about using your brains, wits, or God forbid hard work to achieve your aspirations? I may be a unattractive tomboy but I know that everything I have is something I worked hard for, not something that was handed to me because the recombination of my parent's genes is considered aesthetically favorable.

At least on the day you lose your prized looks is the day that I can take solace in your shock of being treated as a normal, average, ugly woman.

Posted by ex palo altan, a resident of the College Terrace neighborhood, on Nov 24, 2009 at 2:39 pm

By the way, there are plenty of beautiful and intelligent women who work their way to the top.

Posted by Appearance Matters, a member of the Palo Alto High School community, on Nov 24, 2009 at 3:06 pm

Just because someone is pretty, don't assume that they are not hard workers or intelligent. They still don't get everything handed to them on a silver platter. But they often get more breaks because they are beautiful. Sarah Palin would not be famous if she weren't so pretty.

Most people can improve their appearance if they choose. Just look at some of those in the spotlight - they do not have great genes, just great make-overs. Look at Jennifer Aniston's facial features - not really perfect yet she is considered "beautiful". So those of you who only wish your genes were better, look to improve yourself instead. Grey hair makes a person look 7 years older. Weight gain makes a person look older. Dumpy, matronly clothing makes a person appear older.

Posted by Not a Fan of Beauty Pageants, a resident of Another Palo Alto neighborhood, on Nov 24, 2009 at 3:45 pm

Nobody has even mentioned the angle of promoting the scholarship money that used to be involved with some or all of the pageants. At least a woman might be able to educate herself more after spending a year of her life parading her looks around. I used to hear people talk about how wonderful it is for the woman to get that money for furthering their educations. How do you feel about the fact that you could be jumping in front of someone who may be more talented by virtue of your looks? I doubt that you would feel as OK about receiving perks for your looks if you didn't happen to be blessed with prettiness. By the way, I am not jealous of women with good lucks as I have been blessed with a fair bit of prettiness myself but I don't try to use my beauty to gain favors or get out of tickets etc. You could always just say, "I want to be like Barbie because that *itch has everything!" Maybe our values are just different as well.

Posted by Pretty Too, a resident of the Crescent Park neighborhood, on Nov 24, 2009 at 6:31 pm

Not a fan: You are saying that a pretty person should step back and let the other person have the job? This is a dog eat dog world. People have their assets and I agree with AM that we should all use them for our gain.Some pretty people aren't smart - they can't be biochem majors.AM didn't say she weasles out of tickets or tries to gain favors by using her looks. If you are also pretty as you claim, you would not be arguing this point but instead, would run with it.

Posted by Sharon, a resident of the Midtown neighborhood, on Nov 24, 2009 at 6:38 pm

Attractive women and tall men have a clear economic and career advantages over their less attractive and short peers.

That is Darwinism in the modern world.

A study of male students at Harvard Biz showed that the best predictor future income was height not academic acumen.

We wish this young woman good luck in her efforts,young male athletes and MBAs cash in on their genetic advantages, why not young women.

Posted by ex palo altan, a resident of the College Terrace neighborhood, on Nov 24, 2009 at 11:24 pm

All I can say is that if there were ever a zombie apocalypse, the non makeup contingency would definitely look sharper running from the zombies. No runny eyeliner and streaky foundation for us!

Pretty too: In all seriousness, while I agree that pretty women should not have to "step back" by any means, I would rather have a more qualified professional handling my business than a better looking one. While coy smiles and batting eyelashes have a place in our world, I hope the ones doing medical research are far more qualified than to just flirt with a cell culture. And yes...she did say she weaseled out of tickets and got favors (or at least job offers and price breaks). The tickets were "waived". And if I spent as much time on my face as I do in biochem/research, holy hell I'd be a bombshell.

Appearance Matters, I have not doubt in my mind that you are intelligent, articulate and accomplished. You address everyone's opinions in a clear and professional matter. However, it makes me a little sad to think that someone who comes off as such seems so flippant about using one's beauty to get their way. If you are the successful professional you come off to as, I would hope you realize that it was your hard work and work ethic that got you where you are today. And Sara Palin wouldn't be famous if she didn't spew sewage....

Anyway, congrats to Amy! You're amazing in our books!

Posted by Friend, a resident of the Professorville neighborhood, on Nov 25, 2009 at 5:57 am

Good job trying something new Amy. I know that wasn't easy.

We're proud of you!

Posted by also not a fan, a resident of the Duveneck/St. Francis neighborhood, on Nov 25, 2009 at 2:45 pm

I am very uncomfortable in today's day and age with swimsuit competitions. How shallow and utterly insulting to all women. It was unavoidable to hear all the chatter about Carrie Prejean (whatever competition that was) and her inanity on the television and the "news" that the pageant had paid for her breast implants. I can't believe as a society this is where we still value and pigeonhole young women.

Posted by Fan of Amy, a resident of the Crescent Park neighborhood, on Dec 4, 2009 at 7:15 pm

Way to go Amy! You're wonderful and we're proud of you and all the work you've put into this. Keep up the good work!!