A Hart High School Alum and winner of the 2018 Miss Hollywood Pageant plans to take her platform of “youth empowerment through higher education” to the Miss California competition — a preliminary to Miss America — this June in Fresno, California.

Sarell Diamond, 24, said while growing up in Santa Clarita, she had always wanted to wear the crown of Miss America. She participated in pageants in the Santa Clarita Valley and held the title of Miss Santa Clarita Valley first princess at age 13.

“My fondest memory as a little girl was watching Miss America on television and saying to myself: ‘I want to be her someday.’” said Diamond. “Well, at 24 years of age, I can’t believe I actually have a shot at the opportunity to live my childhood dream of becoming Miss America and represent my hometown.”

The University of Southern California graduate has already achieved her first milestone in the quest to being crowned at one of the biggest beauty pageants in the United States.

Diamond notes that she is hopeful competing in the Miss America Organization will grant her scholarships to achieve another major milestone: business school.

“My goal is to attend a top business school and I’m very thankful for the Miss America Scholarship money I have received thus far that will go toward my future education.”

The regional Miss Hollywood pageant served as a qualifier for the Miss California competition, and now Diamond will join the 55 other women — who also won their own regional contests — as they prepare for the Miss California pageant taking place in June.

The winner of Miss California is crowned and will be named as California’s representative at one of the largest and the oldest beauty pageant in the United States history: 2018 Miss America.

At the state competition, the Stevenson Ranch native will attempt to repeat a number of her successful tenants she practiced at the Miss Hollywood pageant, especially her platform for “youth empowerment through higher education.”

Diamond’s outreach platform strives to empower underprivileged high school students in Los Angeles to successfully apply and attend a major four-year university. She has partnered with several nonprofits in Los Angeles in order to help assist these students.

Diamond has partnered with several nonprofits in Los Angeles in order to help assist underprivileged students who wish to attend a four-year university.

In order to alleviate some of the financial burden involved with pageantry, Diamond has set-up a CrowdChange fundraiser page with a goal of $3,000.

“This money I raise goes towards the production show, scholarship awards, and directly supports my journey to the Miss California pageant in June,” said Diamond.

Donations to Diamond’s fundraiser can be made by clicking here.

“I’ve called Santa Clarita home for over 15 years and I’m thankful for all the support I’ve received thus far from my community,” she said.

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