Chelle Hyde tap-danced into the Miss America Organization in the 1960s, as a contestant in her local Phoenix, Arizona, pageant. She competed for two years–because her friends did. And although she never placed, the experience lasted a lifetime. A few years later and after a move to California, she volunteered for the Miss Anaheim pageant; the rest is history. As in any volunteer organization, Chelle says, “one thing leads to another” ... and what started as a simple task–typing up the local pageant’s script–blossomed into a higher-ranking position with the statewide pageant. Now, as the Miss California Organization’s Business Manager, Chelle is planning, traveling, and coordinating titleholder appearances and more for her eighteenth Miss California.

Chelle has been on the road, up in the air, and out to sea in the name of her volunteerism. Traveling with her contestants has afforded her exotic experiences, but what she appreciates most about her role is the chance the system gives to girls who seek higher education.

“Education is very important in the state of California,” Chelle says. “We had fifty-eight contestants this year for Miss California, and every lady got something. Between the scholarship and interviewing skills, they get so much from this program…It’s such a positive experience, and I can’t say enough good things about it.”

The business manager always keeps her wits about her and says her rule of thumb is to always be aware of who booked and when. Chelle uses her common sense to make sure plans align and suggests anyone planning appearances does the same.

“There are no set rules. You use your head and your brain…It’s not a cookie cutter,” she says.

Flexibility is also key in order to make each Miss California’s experience meaningful and beneficial as possible. Chelle keeps in mind that every day will be a little different, and every year holds its own challenges.

Chelle adds another daughter to her family with each new Miss California. She tells people her children are all female, beautiful, and talented. In the talent department, the proverbial apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Chelle’s tap dancing talent stuck with her long after her pageant days, and she still keeps in shape with clogging, tap lessons, and hula hooping.

“I’ll never forget, my mom always said, ‘don’t ever stop dancing. If you stop dancing, you’ll be in big trouble,’” Chelle remembers.

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