Crowning Achievement: DGMC duo honored in local pageant

  • Published
  • By James Spellman Jr.
  • 60th Medical Group Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  A mother and daughter team from David Grant USAF Medical Center were among 54 women and girls competing in various age groups to earn pageant crowns representing Fairfield and Suisun City.

Tech. Sgt. Deborah Iraheta, 60th Medical Support Squadron unit training monitor, was crowned as the first Mrs. Suisun City during the Junior and Miss Fairfield Pageant held Nov. 12 at the Fairfield Center for the Creative Arts. Her crowning achievement included posting a high point interview score before a panel of six judges.

Meanwhile, Iraheta's daughter Karina, a third grader at Travis Elementary School and last year's Petite Miss titleholder, received first runner-up status and the "Best Personality" award after stepping up to the Little Miss category.

Having never competed in a pageant before, Iraheta said she was "nearly floored" after being presented with her sash, tiara and bouquet of roses by the outgoing Mrs. Fairfield.

"I had actually planned on (competing) in May for the Vacaville Fiesta Days because Karina has always done pageants, but I didn't have the confidence to do it myself," Iraheta said. "So finally when I saw that this one was coming up in November, I said, 'I'm going to do it. If I don't do it now, I'm never going to do it.' "

While the junior Iraheta only met once with other young girls in her class range for practice, the senior Iraheta joined the older Teens, Misses and Mrs. competitors in training once a week for more than two months with Solano County pageant organizers and staff. The women were judged on their in-person interview with judges and included a dance routine, final on-stage interview and how they carried themselves during the personal style and ball gown presentations.

"We practiced interviews, how to sit, how to answer your questions and what not to do. If you somewhat talk with your hands, that's fine, but if you're a 'figgiter' you shouldn't be wearing jewelry. We practiced how to walk because some people really needed it -- myself included. It's not easy going from combat boots to heels," Iraheta said. "That's why a lot of the parents enter their kids in these pageants rather than send them to charm school. It's cheaper to put them through a pageant to learn how to walk, how to stand, maintain their poise and self-confidence and how to interact socially."

Karina is "totally stoked" her Mom won. "She keeps on hugging me, telling me I deserved it," Iraheta said. "Out of the blue, she'll come up and say 'Mommy, I'm so proud of you, you really deserve this.'"

In addition to making special social appearances at Suisun City and Fairfield community events during her year-long reign, Iraheta's platform as Mrs. Suisun City will be "working with homeless veterans to get them the medical care and the financial assistance that they need to get them back on their feet," utilizing her skills and training as a health services manager at DGMC.

"Having personally volunteered at the North Bay Stand Down for the past few years, you see families come in - it is heart breaking to see these homeless families. Those kids are going to have it rough," Iraheta said. "They're going to be strong because they've lived the streets, but it's going to be hard for them to make it better for themselves unless somebody helps them to see that there are other ways."

She has advice for young women thinking of pageant competition after she hangs up her crown next year.

"Just do what you want to do. Don't let people's comments deter you from doing what you want to do, because then you'll never do anything," Iraheta said. "The fact that I actually lost 100 pounds to join the Air Force was a clear and personal demonstration of my determination to serve my country. That sort of determination and self-confidence is also what allowed me to carry through with the pageant. Just believe in yourself and go for it."