Jordyn Bristol, a 17-year-old senior at Glendora High School, has been extremely busy the past year making a name for herself.
She was crowned Miss National Orange Show Outstanding Teen in San Bernardino, January 2016, made the top seven for Miss California Outstanding Teen in Fresno, this July and portrayed Ariel in “The Little Mermaid” for Top Billing Entertainment the same month.
Pageant life is can be exceptionally busy and requires dedication with all the activities that are involved.
“It becomes your life,” Bristol said laughing.
Image courtesy of Jordyn Bristol.
Her love for pageantry all began with American girl dolls. The first pageant she ever participated in was National American Miss in Anaheim, when she was eight or nine years old. She loved the stage, and being interviewed by a panel of judges. While the questions were much simpler, she was still enthusiastic about the whole process and experience and it made a lasting impression.
This past year, she has been involved with the city of San Bernardino, making an appearance at fairs and events.
Pageantry isn’t just about beauty, but also world awareness. When preparing for Miss California’s Outstanding Teen, Bristol had to become more aware of politics and world events.
“You constantly have to be on your ‘A game,’ no matter where you are, no matter what you are doing,” Bristol revealed. “It’s not all about fake teeth and fake hair.”
For Miss National Orange Show Outstanding Teen, Bristol had to choose a platform.
After much deliberation, she chose to raise awareness and reduce the stigma of Attention Deficit Disorder and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Diagnosed with ADD in sixth grade herself, Bristol was hesitant at first to share her diagnosis, but now does not regret her decision.
Bristol gave advice she acquired over the years to teachers at her former school, Solorio Elementary School, to help other kids like her. She has done short presentations on the topic of ADD and inspired confidence in other young kids.
For Miss California Outstanding Teen, the national platform and organization is the Children Miracle Network and Bristol has raised over $300 for the cause.
Bristol has also won almost $1,000 in scholarships in the last seven months while competing. Bristol is also raising funds for college by performing at birthday parties as Ariel through Top Billing Entertainment, a 501 (c)3 non-profit performing arts group in the Glendora Village.
Coming back from competing Miss California Outstanding Teen, she was cast as Ariel for “The Little Mermaid.” She was ecstatic to be taking on the role of Ariel, her favorite Disney princess. But with this role, Bristol realized that she had to take on more responsibility and step up her game.
She has acted in three shows with Top Billing Entertainment. She played a winkie guard and a crow in “Wizard of Oz,” Penny Lou Pingleton in “Hairspray,” for which she won Best Supporting Actress in the National Youth Arts Awards, and recently, Ariel in “The Little Mermaid.”
Despite the fact that Bristol had just joined Top Billing Entertainment last year, Kristina Ivy, the executive director, comments that Bristol is “amazingly talented and professional.”
Bristol is also a member of the Royal Stewarts at Glendora High School.
Royal Stewarts Program Director Brian Trevor has “transformed the way that I sing and the way that I look at performing arts,” Bristol said.
Bristol showed lots of potential and was admitted into the Advanced Women’s Choir her freshman year. The competitions she went to ignited a competitive streak within her. The experience also helped build her acting and dancing skills.
The friends she has made and the lives she has influenced made this past year one of a kind. She loves her amazing network of friends and all the opportunities that came along with this journey and organization.
“I love looking out at the audience, or if I’m anywhere, and seeing just a few people catching my eye and smiling,” Bristol shared. “I feel like my crown has such a big microphone.”
She encourages girls to go and compete in pageants, because of the unforgettable experiences gained through the process.
Bristol aspires to be on Broadway. She wants to compete in the older division for Miss California and then hopefully move on to Miss America. She also plans on auditioning for “Legally Blonde” with Top Billing Entertainment in a few months.
***This story fixes paragraph 14 to state Bristol competed in Miss California Outstanding Teen. She did not win.
