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Jewish Community News
January 2004
Local Jewish teen crowned Miss California U.S. Teen 2003
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| Jessica Leah Deutsch, a member of Congregation Beth David, was crowned in her first ever teen pageant in 2003 |
Jessica Leah (Jessa) Deutsch, 15, of Sunnyvale recently became the new Miss California United States Teen 2003. She won first place in the preliminary interview competition at the Nationals, which were held November 7-10, in Charlotte, NC, winning 2nd Runner-Up overall. This was quite a feat as the youngest contestant there, her first-ever major pageant.
When asked why she entered the pageant, Jessa explained that she wanted to exercise her talents.
"There is really no place for a young teen to shine in their talent other than school events," she said. "These shows give you the opportunity to put yourself out there."
As part of the pageant competition, Jessa sang the aria Setu Ma' ami for the celebrity judges, with one commenting 'that was so beautiful it gave me shivers.' Jessa has taken singing lessons for many years and was excited for the opportunity to perform.
Her message to young women looking forward to a pageant is to remain confident and humble. "It all comes down to who has the confidence to put themselves out there, the ability to be flexible, the intelligence to learn from their mistakes, and the desire to use their position to help others," Jessa said.
Pageants have come a long way in the last ten years. Traditionally focused on physical appearance, judging components have expanded to consider talent, intelligence and community service. The cutthroat competitiveness once associated with pageants has also given way to a sense of camaraderie and teamwork.
"All the girls were so supportive and nice, and jumped
to help me learn the ropes," said Jessa. "The pageant director,
Danelle, took so much pressure off of us all, and urged us to have a good,
safe time."
Jessa also had a lot to offer the pageant due to her background and interest
in community service.
A Sept. 2001 bat mitzvah at Congregation Beth David, Jessa has long participated in community service including cooking and serving dinners at the Saratoga Rotating Men's Shelter (hosted by Congre-gation Beth David), singing at Chai House and writing and addressing greeting cards on Mitzvah Day.
An honor-roll sophomore at Fremont High School in Sunnyvale, Jessa is involved in Key Club, Choir, Drama, Poetry and ComedySportz clubs at school. She is an active Torah Leader (tutoring pre-b'nai mitzvah students on their Hebrew skills) and enjoys Hebrew High (at CBD), music and dance.
Jessa has already used her title as Miss California United States Teen 2003 to promote her platform of "Food for All" at a food/fundraiser for the Second Harvest Food Bank. Statements to the press include: "My platform pertains to providing food for the hungry community and educating the masses on what they can do to help." Jessa was the "local celebrity guest" of The Second Harvest Food Bank, distributing information, posing for and signing photos Dec. 20, at Christmas-in-the-Park from 5 to 8 p.m., and she will be featured in other events in the coming year.
Jessa is the daughter of Debi Burdman-Deutsch and Larry Deutsch. She is the sister of Jeanette Deutsch, and granddaughter of Phyllis and Hy Burdman of San Jose, Margie Deutsch of Annapolis, MD, and the late Dr. Henry Deutsch.
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