Nicole Lamarche Interview
Miss California 2003 & 4th runner up @ Miss America 2004
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss San Francisco pageant?
The year that I won the title of Miss San Francisco was my fourth and final year of competition in the Miss America program. I had been first runner-up at the local and state level more than I can count. I wanted the job of Miss San Francisco because San Francisco is a city that strives toward the common good. It is not a perfect city, but it is intentional about caring for those on the margins and encouraging of freethinking. I was so honored when the crown was put on my head.
Tell us about your platform, "College is Possible"?
My parents did not go to college and for kids in my situation, postsecondary education can feel impossible. In the town where I grew up, after high school most people got a job, went to community college or joined the military. When it came time to apply for college, I had no idea what resources were available to me or where to begin. It has been over a decade since I launched that platform, but the need still exists. For those who are the first generation to attend college, it is an uphill climb, but it is possible. There are great disparities in this country in terms of public education. The material that I was studying my first year in college is the same material that some high school students learn in well funded districts. It makes me sad that a person's zip code can play a large role in determining success in education.
Since contestants usually compete in high heels for the swimsuit competition, why did you decide to compete without them?
That is a total myth that I competed without heels at the state and national level. It just shows that one media outlet gets something wrong and then it just gets repeated. At my first local, I went barefoot because I didn't have the right kind of heels. It wasn't long before I learned that the best way to elongate my legs was to wear nude heels, which is what I did. It must have worked because I won that category at Miss America.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the 4th runner up at Miss America?
To be honest, I was really bummed. Of course I have the benefit of hindsight now and so there are things that I would have done differently, but I wanted to be Miss America and I thought I would be a good one. I knew that my talent wasn't the best and I was probably the weakest talent out of the five, but Miss America is about the overall woman as a human being. I know that the process is a human process and of course I accepted the outcome. I still have dreams where I am on stage in Atlantic City! That night I wanted to focus on how awesome it was to be in the top five. I have perspective that being in the top five at Miss America will not be the most important thing I ever do.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss America and why?
Wow, I don't know what to say. The whole experience was incredible. I had been first runner up at the state level twice, so I was just in awe to be there. Winning the "fitness" part of the competition on the final night was pretty awesome, but I think the most memorable was probably the trip to DC beforehand. We all met with our state representatives and I am not sure they took us seriously, but I was ready to share my opinion!
What kind of emotions were you going through as you took your final walk before crowning the next Miss California?
It is a hard job being Miss California- lots of appearances, lots of speaking and visiting, lots of work! I was so grateful to have had the experience and the scholarship money, but like most state titleholders, I was ready to pass the torch.
What have you been up to since your reign as Miss California ended?
Since that time, I have earned two masters degrees, became an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and served as pastor of two different congregations. In 2008, I married my husband (who faithfully supported me through all of the Miss CA adventures) and last summer I had a baby who is about to be one. Right now I am working to start a progressive Christian church in the greater San Jose area. www.siliconvalleyucc.org
The year that I won the title of Miss San Francisco was my fourth and final year of competition in the Miss America program. I had been first runner-up at the local and state level more than I can count. I wanted the job of Miss San Francisco because San Francisco is a city that strives toward the common good. It is not a perfect city, but it is intentional about caring for those on the margins and encouraging of freethinking. I was so honored when the crown was put on my head.
Tell us about your platform, "College is Possible"?
My parents did not go to college and for kids in my situation, postsecondary education can feel impossible. In the town where I grew up, after high school most people got a job, went to community college or joined the military. When it came time to apply for college, I had no idea what resources were available to me or where to begin. It has been over a decade since I launched that platform, but the need still exists. For those who are the first generation to attend college, it is an uphill climb, but it is possible. There are great disparities in this country in terms of public education. The material that I was studying my first year in college is the same material that some high school students learn in well funded districts. It makes me sad that a person's zip code can play a large role in determining success in education.
Since contestants usually compete in high heels for the swimsuit competition, why did you decide to compete without them?
That is a total myth that I competed without heels at the state and national level. It just shows that one media outlet gets something wrong and then it just gets repeated. At my first local, I went barefoot because I didn't have the right kind of heels. It wasn't long before I learned that the best way to elongate my legs was to wear nude heels, which is what I did. It must have worked because I won that category at Miss America.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the 4th runner up at Miss America?
To be honest, I was really bummed. Of course I have the benefit of hindsight now and so there are things that I would have done differently, but I wanted to be Miss America and I thought I would be a good one. I knew that my talent wasn't the best and I was probably the weakest talent out of the five, but Miss America is about the overall woman as a human being. I know that the process is a human process and of course I accepted the outcome. I still have dreams where I am on stage in Atlantic City! That night I wanted to focus on how awesome it was to be in the top five. I have perspective that being in the top five at Miss America will not be the most important thing I ever do.
What would be your most memorable moment at Miss America and why?
Wow, I don't know what to say. The whole experience was incredible. I had been first runner up at the state level twice, so I was just in awe to be there. Winning the "fitness" part of the competition on the final night was pretty awesome, but I think the most memorable was probably the trip to DC beforehand. We all met with our state representatives and I am not sure they took us seriously, but I was ready to share my opinion!
What kind of emotions were you going through as you took your final walk before crowning the next Miss California?
It is a hard job being Miss California- lots of appearances, lots of speaking and visiting, lots of work! I was so grateful to have had the experience and the scholarship money, but like most state titleholders, I was ready to pass the torch.
What have you been up to since your reign as Miss California ended?
Since that time, I have earned two masters degrees, became an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and served as pastor of two different congregations. In 2008, I married my husband (who faithfully supported me through all of the Miss CA adventures) and last summer I had a baby who is about to be one. Right now I am working to start a progressive Christian church in the greater San Jose area. www.siliconvalleyucc.org