Five local San Joaquin County women are set to represent the region in a national level pageant next week.

Judi Horton, Molly Dua, Katie Lacy, Shim Lacy, and Bridget Montalvo have been chosen as state, regional and national representatives and will compete with more than 200 other contestants from around the world at the Pure International Pageants 2021 USA/ North America and International Pageant taking place July 14-18 in Columbus, Ohio. The group participated in a virtual pageant to earn their titles and the chance to compete on the national stage.

Dua, age 19, is a graduate of Manteca High School entering her second year of undergraduate studies at UC Santa Barbara majoring in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology. She was chosen as Miss Teen India and is thrilled to have the opportunity to represent her cultural heritage on the international pageant stage.

She has chosen Project HUGS for her “Be the Impact” platform, a project she created in 2016 to provide stuffed animals and personal care items for Agape Villages Foster Family Agency. She will compete with contestants from countries and regions including the US, North America and the US Virgin Islands. The areas of competition include 50% interview, 20% international costume, 20% formal wear and 10% overall impression.

Horton, age 39, is a 5th grade teacher at August Knodt Elementary School in Weston Ranch and was named Ms. California. She has created a new “Happiness Habits” campaign for her “Be the Impact” platform and will compete in the national division with 25 other women ages 30-44. Horton lives on her family ranch in Lockeford with her husband, son and their menagerie of animals including 4 chickens, 3 goats, 3 dogs, 3 cats, 1 rabbit, 1 sulcata tortoise and 1 Clydesdale horse.

Montalvo, is a 47-year old pharmacy services supervisor with Kaiser Permanente in Livermore and was named Classy Ms. California. Bridget is a passionate supporter of the American Heart Association, raising thousands for the organization and was recently named a finalist for their Woman of Impact campaign in recognition of her ongoing advocacy work.

She created “Bridget’s Heart and Soul” a lifestyle blog to help share healthy living tips and will continue this work for her “Be the Impact” platform. She lives in Manteca with her husband JD and three rescue animals.

Katie Lacy, is 74 and a retired cosmetologist who was named Classy Ms. California State. Katie has volunteered for a variety of charitable organizations, most notably the Shriners Hospital for Children of Northern California, which she has chosen as her “Be the Impact” Platform.

Pat Miller, International Executive Director of Pure International Pageants shared that Katie is officially the oldest contestant the program has ever had, a distinction that Katie is delighted to share. Katie, who is competing with her daughter, Shim, hopes that she can inspire people to realize, “it’s never too late to try something new. I’m just tickled to be able to have this great adventure with Shim and the girls.”

Shim Lacy, age 48, is an administrative assistant with the Port of Stockton and was named Classy Ms. Pacific States. Shim has chosen Manteca Youth Focus, a local non-profit youth leadership and scholarship organization for her “Be the Impact” platform. She is the co-founder of MYF which has awarded nearly $100,000 in educational scholarships to youth ages 10-20 in the greater Manteca community. She resides in Manteca with her husband, Mike and their two rescue dogs, Buzz and Woody.

The classy trio will compete in the national division with 24 other women ages 45 and better. The areas of competition for the national pageant are 50% interview, 20% state costume, 20% formal wear and 10% overall impression.