Pageant a Path to More Learning Music teacher's entry earns her 4 scholarships Gina Tenorio- July 9, 2009, edited by Dr. Vanessa Sheldon Desert Sun It was like nothing Vanessa Sheldon had ever done before. In late June, the 24-year-old College of the Desert music instructor was one of 55 contestants in the 2009 Miss California America pageant. “I did it because I hoped that I would meet some new people,” she said. “I hoped to perform my harp for a wider audience.” And it did that, she said. The pageant, held in Fresno's Saroyan Theatre, allowed the professional harpist and instructor to share her platform of "Arts Education for America's Youth" with a large audience, she said. Sheldon of Rancho Mirage was not a finalist. But no matter. The experience gave her the chance to do what she loves, learn. “I've always had a deep love of learning,” Sheldon said. “I just want to learn everything I possibly can. When I was in school I was always asking for more work.” As a child, she attended a Montessori school. At 10, she briefly attended public school, where she quickly advanced through the grade system. By age 12, she was attending Palos Verdes Peninsula High School. A year later, she participated in the California State University, Los Angeles' Early Entrance Program that allows gifted youngsters to experience college life. Students were allowed to test for admission to the summer quarter, she said. “I scored in the top one percentile,” she said. “They allowed us to take two courses during the trial summer session. I received permission to take three and carried 12 units. I passed all my courses with A's.” She had just turned 13 when she enrolled at Cal State, she said. In 2001, at age 16, she earned her bachelor's of music from Cal State, and a master's degree in music a year later. In 2005, she earned a doctorate of musical arts and musicology from the University of Arizona. She has earned a number of awards and scholarships over the years, including four at the pageant: a participant scholarship, a talent award, the Miss America Academic Award and the Leni Arnhym Classical Performer Award. Sheldon was the only contestant to win four scholarships and ranked fourth of the 55 contestants in amount of money received. “I'm glad that I did this,” Sheldon said, referring to the pageant. “I plan to use the monies earned to forward my career. I have yet to decide exactly how to best utilize my scholarship funds.”