By The trim of the sequined, multi-colored gowns kissed the stage as the spotlight waved from one impeccably dressed woman to the next; their smiles masked the unbearable anticipation to hear who would be named 2015 Mrs. California United States.
Amongst one of those was Mrs. Long Beach.
“I’ve never competed in a pageant,” the woman with a thin face framed in coal-black hair said through a welcoming smile. “I’ve never really had a desire to do it.”
Regina Cash, director of professional programs at California State University, Long Beach, works full-time and decided to add pageant queen to her to-do list.
At the Mrs. California pageant, Cash did not take home the crown. Instead, she was recognized as the fourth runner-up and was awarded the Judges Civic Award for dedication to her platform and community service.
“That meant more to me than getting fourth runner up, to be honest,” Cash said. “I love being at service, [for others] to recognize that is a big deal for me.”
But the stage was simply a springboard for her community service already in the works.
Cash received $1,000 alongside 12 other contestants with her work in the Long Beach Giving Project late last month. Over an eight-day period, she assisted various people ranging from a World War II veteran to three women with special needs.
“She kind of takes control of situations and is very personable and likeable,” Justin Rudd, the organizer of the Giving Project and other Long Beach non-profits a part of his Community Action Team, said.
From trips to the supermarket to buying school uniforms, Cash helped each individual with whatever they needed.
“I didn’t want to just give money or credit cards,” Cash said. “I wanted to sit down with them and get to know them.”
Of the people she helped, Cash said that Zeena Valenzuela, a former victim of sexual abuse, stood out in particular.
The woman in her 40s and mother of five boys grew up in the barrios of Hawaiian Gardens with a gang-affiliated father and teenage lapse of drug abuse.
One day in 2014, 12 gang members kidnapped Valenzuela and raped her over a two-day period.
When Cash heard Valenzuela’s disturbing story at a charity event, she decided to reach out to her.
“I was going through all kinds of emotions,” Valenzuela said, referencing her hesitation in accepting Cash’s offer. “I don’t want to be somebody’s charity case.”
She eventually accepted and asked for one thing: to see a dentist.
“I smiled,” Cash said, reminiscing about Valenzuela’s proud strut back to the waiting room. “She was smiling and happy even when her face was a little puffy and in pain; it was a great feeling.”
Cash received the inaugural Cindy Engoy Award for her volunteer work and won an extra $500 to distribute however she wanted.
Cash split her winnings with Jason Lehman, founder of the nonprofit Why’d You Stop Me?
“Meeting Regina has been one of the coolest things to happen to my nonprofit,” Lehman said, referring to her hand in helping his organization expand through word of mouth. He added that having someone like Cash believe in what he was doing felt “absolutely awesome.”
She’s working on creating and developing programs and courses alongside volunteering. Beyond the Basics Leadership Certificate Program and Workforce Development Professional Certificate Program are two of her most recent endeavors.
