Jillian Smith, a Cal Poly (California Polytechnic State University) senior and 22-year-old native from Grass Valley, was crowned as Miss California during Saturday night’s competition at Saroyan Theatre.
She will now represent her state at the Miss America 2018 to be held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on September10, 2017. The event will be broadcast by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). Miss America 2017 from Arkansas, Savvy Shields will officially crown her successor.
Along with the title, Smith was awarded a $25,000 scholarship, which includes $5,000 from the city of Fresno.As she stood on the stage with the other finalists, anticipation turned to shock when her name was called.
Smith, who'd never made it to the top 15 before Saturday night, didn't know what to expect. "As soon as they said my name — the whole moment is kind of a blackout blur," said Smith, 22. "I was shaking. I was so excited."
“I actually got involved (in the Miss America Organization) because when I was 5 years old, I was here at the Saroyan Theatre watching my cousin participate in Miss California,” she further said. “I think they’re all just going to be super, super excited.”