Candes Meijide Gentry – Miss Hawaii 1999
It seems surreal that ten years has passed since the day I was crowned Miss Hawaii. What a monumental event in my life. I remember it as though it were yesterday, the excitement, the nervousness and the honor that filled my heart as I stood in front of my family & friends, surrounded by beautiful and talented contestants, the MH committee, and the judges as Jennifer Hera, now Hera-Pimentel fastened the coveted crown on my head.
I can remember the hundreds of flower lei and countless bouquets that were handed to me in what seemed like an instant. And now, as I look back, so much time has passed in the blink of an eye. I began my quest for Miss Hawaii inspired by my talented, beautiful and loving sister, Corin Meijide Gentry who is now, Corin Gentry-Balding and has four adorable children. Corin was my inspiration and my mother, Condesa Azria Nora Meijide-Gentry, my strength. My father had passed only a year before I was crowned Miss Oahu and his loss was the inspiration and foundation for what became my platform: The ABC’s of Life - the notion that Adversity Builds Character, which I still live by today.
I remember the call from Lani Stone Kaaa (MH 1991) asking if I would be interested in running for Miss Oahu. We had met the year before when my sister ran for the title. I had never dreamed of being Miss Hawaii until Corin asked me to help her prepare for her first preliminary and I saw Erika Kauffman (MH 1997)perform. That night, at the Miss Oahu preliminary, surrounded with such beauty, grace and talent, I realized what a magnificent program the Miss America Organization was and a dream was born.
I graduated with honors from the University of Hawaii School of Travel Industry Management in December 1998 and knew that I had to work for a few years before applying for a Masters in Business, so I decided what better way to gain experience and knowledge than by representing our State and traveling the globe as an Ambassador of Aloha. So, in January 1999 I ran for Miss Oahu, then in June Miss Hawaii and in September of that very same year, I found myself singing in front of 30,000 people in the Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey vying for the title of Miss America 2000.
My year was filled with amazing opportunities, travel, and new friends. I always say that the value of the Miss America Organization is not in the title, but in the process. Whether you win or lose, there is no other program that allows young women the opportunity for self-discovery and self-development and challenges them to reach their potential as the Miss America Program. The skills and lessons that I gained as Miss Hawaii will benefit me throughout my life.
After my year was completed, I spent some time traveling, visiting over 20 countries in 12 months, and exploring all 7 continents. To date, some travel highlights are: Antarctica, Tibet, China, Thailand, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Japan, Haiti, Canada, Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Tahiti, Cooke Islands, New Zealand, France, Spain, Germany, Czech Republic, Russia, Italy, Greece… among many others. After my year of travel, I applied for the Masters in Business Administration program at the University of Hawaii Manoa where I later graduated with honors in 2002 from the Shidler College of Business. I have since founded the Candes Meijide Gentry Endowed Scholarship for Entrepreneurs and am currently featured as one of their community leaders.
After graduating I competed as a triathlete in dozens of local races, national & regional championships and competed in 6 World Championship triathlons, including the Ironman World Championship in Kona (2004), the USAT World Championship (2005) and 4 Xterra (Off-road) World Championships. I became the spokesperson for the sport of Triathlon in Hawaii and a National Xterra Ambassador. Although I continue to compete in running races, I have chosen to put aside the rigors of training to focus on my professional career and performing arts. As a Director of Gentry-Pacific, Ltd I have the honor of working with my family to perpetuate my late father’s dream of “people building quality homes and communities for a better Hawaii.” Combining my commitment to philanthropy and my love of music, I have recorded and produced three music CD’s (Candes (2000), A Change in Me (2006), and Come What May (2008)), two of which were nominated for Hawaii Music Awards as Contemporary Album of the Year. (www.candescd.com) or visit:
http://www.starbulletin.com/hilife/islandmele/20090109_island_mele.html
or
http://archives.starbulletin.com/2006/04/29/features/records.html to read reviews of the CDs by John Berger.
I recently starred in GYPSY at Diamond Head Theatre as Louise (Gypsy) with Shari Lynn playing Mama Rose. Community theatre has awarded me the privilege to perform alongside Denby Dung (MH 2001), Cathy Foy-Mahi (MH 1975), Cheryl Toma Sanders (MH 1990), Patricia Lei Murray (MH 1962), and Traci Toguchi (MH 1995) in You Somebody at Diamond Head Theatre in 2002 & again in the 2007 revival. I have also played leading roles in Follies (2003) and GIGI (2007). My love of music spans many different genre, and I recently collaborated with my Mother on a musical CD for children to learn Spanish. The project was inspired by my grandmother in Argentina and based on music and lyrics that she composed as a music teacher. My Mother and I have also recorded a new dance single entitled “Es El Amor” which will be released online later this month. My latest project is as the voice of a frog princess in an independent animated musical entitled “Frogavia” written, illustrated and composed by Kristin Zambucka (www.frogavia.com).
In November of 2008, I married my husband, Milan Drager on the Island of Lanai. Milan is a Master Chef originally from Hamburg, Germany and he is currently a Food & Beverage Executive at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Our wedding will be featured later this summer on WE TV Platinum Weddings. (www.ilovevisionari.com/candes_milan)
My sister, Corin is happily married to her husband and has four darling children ranging in age from 1 to 7 years old. Corin continues her quest to represent the state of Hawaii as a State title holder, she was awarded second runner up to Mrs. Hawaii in 2007 and plans to run again in 2010. My Mother, Condesa Azria Nora Meijide-Gentry is very busy as “bisu” (her title for tutu) and continues her work as a talented artist, photographer, designer, and now music producer.
It is hard for me to express how much my experience as Miss Hawaii has blessed my life, but I will suffice to say that there are three things that standout in my mind as life changing accomplishments, being crowned Miss Hawaii, crossing the finish line at Ironman Kona and getting married. With the love and support of my family I continue to pursue my dreams and will always cherish my memories as Miss Hawaii.
Whether it be Miss America, an Ironman Triathlon, singing for the King of Tonga or any other significant achievement in life, I know that the accomplishment is so much sweeter because it was hard earned. As the most recent member to the Miss Hawaii Scholarship Organization Board of Directors, I hope to be able to touch the lives of young aspiring women as the Miss Hawaii Ohana has touched mine.
I leave you with something that Lani Stone Kaaa shared with me during my quest for the crown…
The Winning Crown
It’s not the title, nor the crown that counts.
It’s not the weight that’s lost that really amounts.
It’s not the make-up design, or the gown that you wear,
Or the shape of your build or the length of your hair.
You see, the growth of a Queen is all done inside.
It’s nothing support-hose or make-up can hide.
The real preparation is done in the mind.
It’s leaving your fears and your faults all behind.
It’s lifting your soul to a place that’s far seen.
It’s molding a woman to the height of a Queen.
It’s hard and iut’s work. It’s not easily done.
But when it’s over, you’ll know who has won.
When the pageant is over, the lights are turned down
You’ll know you’re a winner and you’ll have your crown.
You see, all crowns are made different, it’s really an art.
Yours may be rhinestones or the growth of your heart.
- Uknown
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