Sixth shot is sweet spot for winner of 2021 Miss California competition Friday in Fresno

Miss Los Angeles County is the winner of the 2021 Miss California competition.

Jazmin Avalos, a 24-year-old Cal State Fullerton graduate from Garden Grove, was crowned Friday night at the DoubleTree by Hilton Convention Center in Fresno.

“I knew God has a plan for every single one of us,” Avalos said later. “I was just happy knowing we all did our best. When they called my name I was at peace knowing I had done my best and it’s all in God’s plan.”

This marked her sixth time to the state finals — including four as a Miss California contestant and twice in the Outstanding Teen competition beginning at age 14.

Along with the title, Avalos was awarded a $20,000 scholarship.

Wednesday night, Ávalos won the talent prelim with her vocal interpretation of “Astonishing,” earning a $500 scholarship.

For many, the week’s events were like a reunion. The 2020 competition was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.

“It was just so much fun to see the girls again.,” Avalos said. “Our last competition, last year, was canceled, and so this was the first time that I actually had the chance to see a lot of the title holders in person ... so this was the first time I got to meet a lot of the girls.”

“I love them so much! I’ve known a lot of them for a long time, A couple of the girls and I have competed as teen title holders together, so we kind of have grown up together in this organization. They are some of the most incredible girls I know. It’s incredible to know we’re all strong-minded and goal-oriented women and I’m just so proud about my friends.”

Elizabeth Sartuche, Miss Orange County, was the first runner-up.

Teen title awarded

The companion Outstanding Teen competition ended Thursday night with a surprise double-winner.

Miss Canyon Hills Maya Álvarez-Coyne was crowned the Outstanding Teen winner after a mix-up led to emcee MacKenzie Freed mistakenly announcing Miss Culver City Hailey Flowers as the night’s champion.

Both received the first-place prize of a $5,000 scholarship.

Álvarez-Coyne, a recent graduate of the Orange County School of the Arts, became the first Latina in the 22-year history of the pageant to win the title.

This story was originally published June 25, 2021 at 10:07 PM.