Program Director

April Smith has been the Executive Director for the Miss Sacramento County program for the past 13 years and she was formally on the board for the Miss Nevada Organization.  She is also a member of the Business Council for the Children’s Miracle Network at UC Davis Hospital.  She has been affiliated with the Miss America Program for the past 25 years. In 2011, she was given the honor of being named Director of the Year by the Miss California Preliminary Pageant Association.  She is a certified judge through the Miss California Organization and a vocalist.  She feels that the Miss America program has helped her achieve her goals and she is honored that she can give back to the program and her pageant family.

April Smith was Miss Mendocino County in 1993, which helped her graduate from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. Professionally, she was in international sales for a dental manufacturing company and a dental hygienist.

April lives in Sacramento with her husband Scott, her son Ethan and daughter Ashlyn and their rescue dog Mikey.

Production

April Mason has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Dance & have over 20 years experience in the field of performing arts.  I  have starred in productions of THE HEIDI CHRONICLES, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, MACK & MABEL, JULIUS CAESAR and STEEL MAGNOLIAS just to name a few.  I have directed GUYS & DOLLS,  ANNIE, THE MUSIC MAN & INTO THE WOODS.  I teach jazz, ballet, pointe, lyrical & tap dance as well as theatre, modeling and baton. I have many years of competition choreography experience. I am an accredited EPIC judge and a certified Pageant Emporium judge as well as a pageant coach. I have held many local, state and national pageant titles. I am currently President of the Sacramento Area Dance Alliance.

I am married to Leland, a civil engineer, and we have one daughter, Shelby. We have two cats and two dogs (adopted from rescue groups).  I was also the national director for Natural Beauty Pageant Systems from 2004-2011 and New Starz Talent Competition from 2005-2010

Production and Sound Engineer

RAQUELA is an International Billboard Dance Music recording artist known for her LIVE and powerful "Real Singer Experience" performances. Before that she was an award winning singer/actress performing leading roles on Broadway. Her powerhouse vocals have gotten her to open for Diva's like, Deborah Cox, Lady Gaga, Lisa Lisa, Crystal Waters, Kristine W, and many more. Raquela's cover release of Taylor Daynes, TELL IT TO MY HEART ruled the "Top 40" charts on DJ Times for 28 weeks straight! RAQUELA has worked with extreme DJ/Producer crossover legends like, Chris 'The Greek', Tony Moran and House Godfather, MICKEY Mixin' OLIVER.  She and Mickey's, "NOTHIN' MORE TO GIVE" topped Billboard’s "Hot Dance Club" charts for several weeks straight! Aside from deeply rooting herself in the New York scene, since her career began in 1999, she has toured all over the United States to perform for dance music lovers everywhere. Her music is in regular rotation in global venues like, Cielo, Sullivan Room, Nikki Beach, Pacha and Taiga Sky. Despite the hectic travel schedule, this native Californian and lifelong musician is adamant about making time in the studio for her own productions. Since releasing her first EP in 2004 on SuperGroove Records, Raquela has released records on, Water Music (Sony), Hot Mix 5 Records, CAPP Records and ISV Entertainment. Raquela studied Opera at Biola University and later earned her BFA in Music and Theatre at UC Irvine. You can check out Raquela's latest releases on iTunes, but she would rather you kept a good close eye on her at, RAQUELA.com

Speech and Interview Coach

Jeff Akens has been a volunteer with the Miss America Program since 1983, serving as a Speech and Interview coach for local contestants for much of that time.  He was the Co-Executive Director of the Miss Contra Costa County pageant in 2003; and he served as the Executive Director of the Miss Sacramento County Pageant for five years.  In addition, he is a Past President of the Miss California Preliminary Pageants Association. 

For over twenty years, Jeff has worked for Carrington College, a member of the DeVry education family.  In his current position as President of Carrington College California, he oversees the operations of seven campuses in Northern California.

Jeff holds a master’s degree from DeVry University and a bachelor’s degree from C.S.U. Sacramento, both in Business Administration.  Additionally, he earned a minor in Government from C.S.U.S. and a certificate in Public Relations from U.C. Davis.  He has been a resident of the Sacramento area for most of the past 40 years

Recruiting and Merchandizing

Elyzabeth Pham is the founder and owner of Pacific Models, an agency managing Models and Actors. She was a model and actor herself featured in Major Films, National Commercials and a Showtime TV Series. Her modeling portfolio includes fashion features in Vogue, Cosmopolitan and Bride Magazine. She has graced the runways of New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Milan fashion weeks. She has worked for designers such as Calvin Klein, Kenneth Cole, Burberry and Gucci. 

Although she achieved her dream job, her heart has always been in Pageants since she was able to fund her college education with scholarships acquired from the MIss America and Miss USA organizations. She graduated from UC San Diego with a BA in English Literature. Elyzabeth started out in the Miss America system in Orange County and San Diego County, then went on to become Miss Wisconsin USA, top 15 Miss USA Finalist and Miss USA photogenic winner in 1999. Yes, she did meet "the Donald" (Trump). 

Elyzabeth has training in Voice, Musical Theater, Piano and Acting. She enjoys tennis, snowboarding, masters swimming & just picked up boot camp work outs. She is married to Quang Luu, an Associate Professor at UC Davis Medical Center and they have two energetic daughters, 4 year old Whitney and 2 year old Estelle. 

Judges Chairperson

Jennifer Davelaar Dicker has been involved with the Miss California Organization for the past 17 years.  Jennifer was Miss Greater East Bay 1995, Miss Contra Costa County 1999 and 1st Runner-up to the title of Miss California 1999.  That same year, Jennifer was the 2nd runner-up and overall talent winner at the National Sweetheart Pageant in Hoopston, IL.  Jennifer has had many different roles as a volunteer. She was the Executive Director of the Miss Contra Costa County Scholarship Program for two years.  Jennifer then relocated to the Sacramento area, and is currently the Associate Director and Business Manager for the Miss California's Outstanding Teen Program, as well as a proud member of the Miss Sacramento County committee.

She has worked professionally as a vocalist and dancer and has performed in numerous productions throughout the state.  Jennifer graduated from Santa Clara University and has a background in sales and marketing. She currently resides in El Dorado Hills, CA, with her husband Derek, and sons Austin and Luke.

Fundraising and Marketing

Tracie Stafford began her career in marketing, starting as a data entry operator to Strategic Marketing Director for a fortune one hundred high tech Company. She opened her own event marketing and management firm and quickly became a community leader by chairing boards such as The National Association of Women Business Owners and The Sacramento Small Business Board. She also sat on a number of boards including The Birthing Project International and The Black Chamber of Commerce and was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger to the California Small Business Board.  

Tracie was forever changed, when in 2007 she competed and won the title of Mrs. California United States. Shortly thereafter, testifying in a public hearing before the California State Legislature, she broke her lifelong silence and disclosed the abuse that she had suffered as a third generation domestic violence victim.  Following her courageous act before the legislature, she became a public advocate for domestic violence victims and a champion for the importance of funding domestic violence services.  Now she is a full-time speaker and author sharing not only her stories of domestic violence but of child abuse and sexual assault.  

Tracie acts as a spokesperson for Purple Light Nights International and advocate for the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence.  In addition to lobbying Nationwide and speaking for organizations such as the U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women, The National Institute on the Prosecution of Domestic Violence and various City Departments, Correctional Facilities and Social Change Groups across the Nation, Tracie is currently delivering healthy relationship curriculum as a certified instructor, and is writing her story to inspire and change the lives of other survivors of Family Violence.  

Interview Coach

Mary Akens is a new committee member and since 2013, has been volunteering for the organization as an interview coach for local miss and teen contestants. 

Mary is an environmental and government attorney working for California Department of Water Resources.  Prior to working for the California Department of Water Resources, Mary was appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger as the Assistant General Counsel to the California Resources Agency.  Prior to that time,Mary worked in the private sector as an environmental litigation lawyer and as a lobbyist. 

Mary was born and raised in Sacramento County.  In 1998, she received her law degree from Lincoln Law School of Sacramento.

Mary and her husband John live in Fair Oaks and have a 12-year old son and a 9-year old daughter. Mary’s daughter has enjoyed participating in Miss Sacramento County’s Princess Program since 2011 and has made lasting bonds of friendship with other Princesses.