By While most Cal State Long Beach students roamed around campus looking for classrooms, books or parking during the first week of classes, freshman nursing major Chloe Hatfield had one extra task on her to-do list: pick up her crown.
The 18-year-old donned a blue mermaid-style dress Tuesday night as she was announced the new Miss California Teen USA at the Maya Hotel in Long Beach.
“It feels surreal. I don’t feel like it’s going to happen,” Hatfield said before the ceremony. “I mean, I’ve been competing for three years, and I’ve been waiting for it, so it’s crazy to know it’s about to happen in 20 minutes.”
Cassidy Wolf, who originally won the Miss California Teen USA pageant in January, was later crowned the national Miss Teen USA on Aug. 10. Her victory marked the first time in 19 years that a Californian candidate had been crowned Miss Teen USA.
With her new national title, Wolf has now passed on her duties to Hatfield, the first runner-up in the January competition, for the remaining four months of her term.
Even though she will hold the title for less than half the usual term, Hatfield said it works out for her as she adjusts to college life.
“I’m learning how to live in a dorm by myself while also juggling Miss California Teen USA,” she said. “It’s going to be fun but also challenging. I mean, I have an 8 a.m. class tomorrow … but it’s something that I love, so I’m willing to make sacrifices for it.”
Wolf said Hatfield is well prepared for her new responsibilities. According to Alex Kuty, a producer of Miss Teen USA and Miss California USA, title-holders act as role models for other young women as well as take part in charity work.
“I love being able to represent California … but I’m glad I’m able to pass this on to Chloe [Hatfield] because she’s such an amazing girl and she deserves this,” Wolf said. “She’s going to meet so many people, have once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, and I think she’s going to do awesome.”
Hatfield said she has enjoyed being on stage since childhood and began competing in local beauty pageants in her hometown Norco, Calif., at the age of four.
This year was Hatfield’s third time competing for the Miss California Teen USA title. She placed first runner-up the first year and fourth runner-up the second year.
“She was always a great competitor,” Kuty said. “The judges saw year after year that she has good qualities, and we know that she’s going to do an outstanding job.”
Hatfield said she’s looking forward to working with the charities that will be assigned to her, especially working with children in the coming holiday season.
“I love kids,” Hatfield said. “I love going to the fire stations and helping during Christmas time … but just being able to go anywhere and even talk at schools to inspire young children or to do pageants, because I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.”
This weekend, Hatfield will spend some time in her hometown for the Norco Valley Fair, where her new role will be announced.
The 2014 Miss California USA and Miss California Teen USA pageants will be held in Long Beach at the Terrace Theatre from Jan. 2 to Jan. 4. Contestants will be accepted for the competition until Nov. 1. For more information, visit misscaliforniausa.com.
