Crowning moment

The only thing missing at the Balboa Bay Club and Resort Friday night was Bert Parks’ rendition of “There She Is.”

Newport Beach residents were treated to a little slice of American life as 29 girls competed for the chance to walk away looking like royalty.

Phoenix Stanna, 23, was crowned Miss Newport Beach by 1985 winner Debbie Simon.

Melanie Sitzer, 16, was crowned Miss Newport Beach Teen by Simon as well.

Stanna, born at Hoag Hospital and raised in Newport, already had plans for herself after being crowned.

“The first thing I am going to do as Miss Newport Beach is go to Orangewood Children’s Foundation and tell them if I can do it, they can do it,” said Stanna, who went through the children’s shelter when she was younger.

Sitzer said she felt like all her hard work has paid off and expressed gratitude for sisters Stefanie, 21, and Brittany, 19, who were also contestants.

“It wouldn’t have been the same if they weren’t with me,” Melanie said. “They’re my best friends.”

Father Mike Sitzer, 50, was almost at a loss for words to describe his daughters.

“They’re all very deep, very different — all at the same time,” he said. “I’m so proud, I can’t even talk about it.”

The competition included the requisite swimsuit and evening gown competition, followed by a Q-and-A round.

Celebrity judge and actress Mackenzie Rosman, 18, best known as Ruthie Camden from TV drama “7th Heaven,” said the ideal Miss Newport Beach Teen is well-rounded — a good student, athletic, grounded, down-to-earth and informed.

“She should be well-spoken, educated about the city, and know something about the history of the city, because she should truly represent where she’s from,” Rosman said.

Businesses in the community donated time, services and merchandise, joining pageant organizer Caren Lancona and her B Scene Advertising staff to prepare the girls in every facet of the competition.

Evening gowns were donated by South Coast Plaza retail stores ABS and Cache, Diane’s Beachwear chipped in swimsuits and personal fitness training sessions took place at Balboa Fitness.

More than 20 students, ranging in age from 12 to 18, from the junior dance company at Costa Mesa-based Jimmie DeFore Dance Studio, opened the show with a sassy, hip-hop routine.

Jeffrey Washington, a speech trainer in Pasadena, donated his time to help prepare the girls for the event.

Washington taught three Saturday public speaking workshops, giving the girls instruction on how to appear poised and well-spoken in public.

“The girls are representing the city, and we wanted them to look polished,” said Rochelle Veturis, director of media relations for B Scene Advertising.

The winners received a $1,500 prize, which could be used toward an entrance fee in the Miss California pageant, a preliminary step toward the Miss America pageant, Veturis said.

The girls are also committed to two public appearances a month as Miss Newport Beach and Miss Newport Beach Teen, and B Scene Advertising will monitor and manage those appearances.

For a photo gallery of the contest click here.

SUE THOENSEN may be reached at (714) 966-4627 or at [email protected].