ilroy’ s own Vanessa LaCorte is set to compete in the Miss California USA pageant from July 10-12 at the Indian Wells Resort.

A seasoned pageant veteran, Vanessa’ s impressive resume includes titles such as Miss Gilroy Garlic Queen, Miss Gavilan Hills Teen( and 1st Runner-Up at Miss Teen California America), and Miss Monterey USA. Most recently, she represented the United States and captured the prestigious Miss International World Classic title.

Now, thanks to the pageant organization’ s groundbreaking rule change eliminating age limits, Vanessa is returning to the stage at 42 to fulfill a lifelong childhood dream.

" Growth doesn’ t stop at a certain age; it deepens. There is no expiration date on your dreams or passions. I want women to know they can be all things and do all things at once."

Redefining the Modern Woman Competing at 42 compared to her twenties has given Vanessa a profound new perspective. She is thrilled to see the USA system open its doors to mothers and women of all ages. Today, she steps onto the stage stronger, smarter, and more self-assured than ever before. Vanessa’ s mission is to champion female empowerment, uplift her community, and inspire women to recognize their self-worth at any stage of life. Vanessa is living proof that women can multi-task without compromise. She seamlessly balances:

• Motherhood: Raising her three beautiful children.

• Professional Modeling: Returning to the industry three years ago to focus on print and commercial work, including landing the April cover of FHM magazine.

• Business & Fitness: Thriving as an investor and maintaining a non-negotiable dedication to health and wellness as the foundation of her life.

A Legacy of Excellence and Service Athleticism, leadership, and resilience are in Vanessa ' s DNA. She comes from the accomplished LaCorte legacy: her father Frank and her older brother both played professional baseball, while her mother was a model, businesswoman, and dedicated community leader.

Following her mother’ s philanthropic lead, Vanessa began volunteering at just eight years old. Over the years, she has dedicated her time to The Special Olympics; Relay for Life; The Gilroy Garlic Festival; and PARCA, a Bay Area non-profit organization, among others.

Radical Authenticity and Future Goals While competition is second nature to Vanessa, her mother notes that what truly sets her apart is her unmatched empathy, stating, " Nobody lives with more heart."

Looking ahead, Vanessa aims to launch a local nonprofit organization dedicated to building confidence, self-esteem, and radical authenticity in young girls. Her ultimate goal is to empower women to take up space and own their stories.

When asked what advice she would give to her younger self, Vanessa ' s message is simple yet powerful: " Be unapologetically you, find your unique voice, own your story, and do not be afraid to take up space!"

Cheer on our home-grown beauty Vanessa LaCorte as this incredible trailblazer goes after the crown!"

24 SUMMER 2026 Gilroy • Morgan Hill TODAY: Rooted in Community • Rising Together! gmhtoday. com