FULL NAME: Rachelle Lindsay Cain
AGE: 24
OCCUPATION: Executive Team Leader (Store Staff Manager), Mervyns
HEIGHT: 5'4"
WEIGHT: 125
EYE COLOR: Brown
HAIR COLOR: Black
HIGH SCHOOL: Elk Grove High School, Elk Grove, CA
YEAR: 1998
COLLEGE: University of Redlands (Bachelors); National University (Masters)
YEAR: UofR 2002; National - to be completed later this year
MILITARY or OTHER: None
YEAR: n/a
SPECIAL TALENTS: I have been told I have a special talent for making people feel comfortable and at ease. I hope to continue using this ability through my work with WEAVE and the Gates Recovery Foundation and as I pursue a future career in Human Resources (my graduate degree major). I have also worked as an aerobics instructor.
AWARDS and HONORS: President of the Order of Omega Sorority and a member of the Greek Honor Society.
HOBBIES and INTEREST: Aerobics and cardio workouts/fitness training. I also enjoy dancing and singing.
FAVORITE BOOK: The Bluest Eye
FAVORITE MOVIE: Beaches
FAVORITE TV SHOW: The Practice
FAVORITE MAGAZINE: Essence
AMBITION: To be the CEO of a major organization or start my own company.
THREE WORDS THAT BEST DESCRIBE YOU:
1. Responsible
2. Leader
3. Generous
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE? Sing like nobody's listening, dance like nobody's watching and love like you've never been hurt.
WHO IS THE PERSON THAT YOU MOST ADMIRE? My mother
WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO ACHIEVE BY WINNING THIS PAGEANT? I hope to achieve a more visible position so I can be an effective advocate for my platform of preventing child molestation. I also greatly desire to be a positive role model for young women to believe in themselves and have the confidence to pursue and achieve their goals and dreams.
WHAT ARE YOUR COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTS? An advocate and volunteer for WEAVE and the Gates Recovery Foundation.
LIST ANY SPECIAL TRAINING YOU HAVE HAD OR SPECIAL TALENTS: As indicated above, I am very good with people and I have also had special training in public speaking and dance.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? Exercise, read, watch TV and relax.
FAVORITE FOOD or DISH: My mother's fried shrimp..............yum!
FAVORITE JUNK FOOD: Doritos and Snickers
FAVORITE MOVIE STARS (MALE/FEMALE): Halle Berry, Gabrielle Union, Denzel Washington and Will Smith.
FAVORITE TV PROGRAM: Law and Order and The Practice
FAVORITE RECORDING GROUP or STAR: Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Luther Vandros and Aretha Franklin
FAVORITE SPORT (as spectator or participant): Track and Field
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WEEKEND ACTIVITY? Working out and watching movies.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST CHERISHED CHILDHOOD MEMORY? Eating "mamma's special" with my mother and sister (a special dish she prepared just for the three of us).
WRITE ABOUT A TIME WHEN YOU BROKE A RULE OR LAW? I have never broken the law and do my best to always adhere to rules and procedures.
WHO WILL BE IN THE AUDIENCE SUPPORTING ON PAGEANT NIGHT? My entire family and close friends.
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT IS THE BEST AGE FOR MARRIAGE? I don't think the perfect age for marriage is a number. I believe if people spend the time necessary to know themselves as well as they can and becoming their "best selves" before getting married, they will be better prepared to accept and welcome the responsibility and challenges it brings.
WHERE HAVE YOU TRAVELED? WHEN? St. Thomas, St. John, Martinique, Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, Mexico, Puerto Rico and England. Family vacations and high school and college trips.
ARE LOOKS IMPORTANT? WHY OR WHY NOT? Everyone's own look and style sets them apart from others and makes them unique. So in that context, I think looks are an important statement of individuality.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOURSELF? My ambition to accomplish all of my goals and the confidence to pursue my dreams - like participating in this pageant.
WHERE DO YOU GO TO HAVE FUN? Being at home is fun because that's where those close to me are and that's where I'm happiest.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO CARE FOR THE ELDERLY? Provide them with love, family, friendship, support and most importantly - listen. We have so much to learn from them.
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? WHY? At the pageant kick off breakfast. I was truly inspired by hearing Ms. Tiffany speak. She touched my heart and inspired me to continue to be the best I can be.
THE IDEAL AMERICAN WOMAN IS...Someone who believes in herself is dedicated to pursuing excellence in all that she does, is loyal, trustworthy and appreciates the love of family and friends.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT AFFIRMATIVE ACTION? HOW DOES IT AFFECT YOU? I believe it is a positive program because it gives African Americans more opportunities which can enhance quality of life.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS THE REAL PURPOSE OF THIS PAGEANT? To give African American women the opportunity to further grow and develop and to push themselves to new limits so they can see just what they are truly capable of.
WHAT HAS BEEN THE BIGGEST FAILURE OF YOUR LIFE? I have worked very hard to accomplish my goals and believe for someone my age I have been successful in that. I have no regrets at this point in my life. I believe there are no such things as failures only learning opportunities.
WHAT SHOULD BE THE PENALTY FOR A CONVICTED RAPIST? I believe a convicted rapist should be subjected to sentencing by a jury to whatever punishment they believe to be acceptable and should receive counseling and therapy.
DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A WOMAN OR A GIRL? A woman.
WHAT IS YOUR SECRET TO SUCCESS? Treat others like you want to be treated.
WRITE ABOUT YOUR INDULGENCES. I love to indulge in desserts and shopping.
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT AMERICAN YOUTH ARE MORE INTERESTED IN SOCIAL ISSUES OR STATUS SYMBOLS? WHY? Status symbols, because our youth are not exposed enough to social issues. Today's youth spend a lot of time with video and virtual reality pastimes instead of in real reality situations and are not as challenged to explore their own creativity or learn by reading and real life experience.
FROM WHOM WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE A GREAT BIG HUG? WHY? My grandmother, who passed away before I was born and I really wish I would have had the opportunity to have known her.
WHAT LIVING PERSON DO YOU MOST DESPISE? WHY? I do not carry hate in my heart.
WHAT DO PEOPLE THINK ABOUT YOU? I believe people think I am, professional, driven, a great friend, a good listener, caring, compassionate and generous.
ARE YOU A ROLE MODEL? WHY OR WHY NOT? I believe that I am because of the accomplishments and successes I have had in my life, both personal and professional.
HOW CAN WE END RACIAL PREJUDICE? Through education to inspire an appreciation for differences but mostly through acceptance and love.
WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST RESPONSIBILITY AS A FRIEND? To be open, honest and tell my friends the truth even when it is difficult.
IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE TO BE BEAUTIFUL OR INTELLIGENT, WHICH WOULD YOU CHOOSE? WHY? Intelligence is beautiful to me.
IF YOUR BEST FRIEND FLIRTED WITH YOUR BOYFRIEND, HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE IT? I would talk to my friend about the motivations for her actions and let her know that is not acceptable behavior.
WHAT PERSON WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO MEET WHO EXEMPLIFIES YOUR STANDARDS, GOALS and ACHIEVEMENTS? Oprah Winfrey because she created a vision and a dream for herself and made it happen. But most importantly, once she became famous, she gave back to others.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON IN LIFE YOU HAVE LEARNED? Stay true to yourself.
IF MONEY AND SKILL WERE NO OBJECT, DESCRIBE YOUR IDEAL LIFE/CAREER: I would be the CEO of a non-profit organization and live a comfortably modest lifestyle.
HAVE YOU EVER PARTICIPATED IN A PAGEANT? WHEN? Yes. A small pageant for the YMCA when I was five.
WHAT FRIGHTENS YOU MOST ABOUT COMPETING IN A PAGEANT? The challenge of making sure those involved are able to get a true sense of who I am.
WHAT WILL BE YOUR PLATFORM FOR THE YEAR IF YOU SHOULD WIN THE TITLE? Creating Awareness and Prevention of Child Molestation
