Pageant parading aids Valley lovely toward glamor career
Alternative Title
Valley Times Photo Collection;
Contributor
This project was supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian Made accessible through a grant from the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation and Photo Friends
Photograph was edited for publication purposes. Photograph article circa 1960 partially reads, "'Pretty but petrified' best describes Darlene Tompkins one summer night two years ago. She was competing in her first beauty contest, but by the time they called her name, she didn't want to parade in front of the judges; she didn't want to be there at all. She was embarrassed, sure she didn't have a chance, but she smiled and stepped forward and her determination paid off. The tears of apprehension became tears of disbelief and happiness as 17-year-old Darlene was named 'Junior Miss San Fernando Valley.' Today, two years and 20 contest wins later, the Pacoima lovely is the happy holder of such coveted beauty titles as 'Miss Pacoima,' 'Miss San Fernando Valley East,' and 'Miss Los Angeles County,' contests in which she vied with many of Southern California's most beautiful girls." Photograph caption reads, "Exercise important - Darlene pumps up bike flat so she can go bicycling, one of her favorite exercises. Swimming comes first."
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