The average student at Los Medanos College takes classes to transfer to a university and receive a degree. They may work, and have a social life outside of school, but for LMC student Kinsey McLaughlin, she’s not only a working college student, she represents Antioch for Miss California USA.

After a day bartending at Corner’s Tavern in Walnut Creek, McLaughlin takes the time to relax on the couch and sip some coffee, anticipating the pageant coming up this January. McLaughlin will be participating in Miss California USA 2013. Last weekend she traveled to LA for orientation.

“This past weekend they gave us a lot of information regarding pageant weekend,” she said, “the current Miss California USA, Natalie Pack, spoke and she gave us some encouragement and made us feel less nervous.”

McLaughlin first heard about the competition through a photography friend who talked about her experience with the pageant. After hearing her stories McLaughlin knew she wanted to give it a try.

“I’m excited to represent the city I’ve lived in my entire life, I’m just hoping to do it in a way to make every one proud,” said McLaughlin.

The preliminaries for the competition will take place on Jan 12, 2013 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, and the finals will take place the following day. The pageant has a swimsuit portion, eveningwear, and an on-stage interview.

McLaughlin meets the requirements for this competition by not being married, not having children, and doing volunteer work.

In October she partnered with Chili’s Restaurant in Pittsburg to put on a fundraiser for the organization Helping Animals Live On, also known as HALO.

“I have a severe problem with picking up abandoned animals and taking them home, so I wanted to support a charity that does the same thing I like to do,” explained McLaughlin.

McLaughlin has been going to LMC since she graduated from Deer Valley High School back in 2008. She especially enjoys the photography program.

“I’ve taken every photo class that they’ve had to offer,” she said.

Photography became a passion for McLaughlin when she started taking pictures for her high school newspaper. “As a graduation gift my parents gave me my first real camera, and after that it was just love,” said McLaughlin.

Besides taking 12 units at LMC, McLaughlin works Monday through Friday at the Corner’s Tavern as a bartender. She always wanted to be a bartender, so when the offer was made she took it.

“It’s nice to interact with the public and make drinks, it’s really just a fun job,” she said.

As McLaughlin pets her dog, Yogi, and laughs with her sister, Kady, about the traffic filled commute to and from work, “When I’m coming home I just put an awesome playlist on my iPod and have a karaoke session the entire way home.”

“There’s a lot I would like to change about this city, Miss California gives you that platform to speak and the authority to start those changes,” said McLaughlin.