Alexa Jones crowned Miss California Teen USA

Alexa Jones, 18, of Ramona was crowned Miss California Teen USA 2012 at a pageant in Indian Wells on Sunday.

Jones competed in the pageant as Miss Orange County USA and made it to the top among approximately 100 contestants. Her next step is to represent California at the Miss Teen USA 2012 pageant, usually held during the summer in the Bahamas.

Jones, a 2011 Ramona High School graduate, attends California State University, San Marcos. A 2011 recipient of the Ramona Sentinel scholarship, she graduated early from high school and entered college at age 17 as a communications major with plans to go into broadcasting.

Her victory is bittersweet, noted pageant officials, as her father, Mark Jones, was killed in a car accident in November 2011 and she fought grief as she competed for the title.

“She has been recognized for her outstanding leadership and academic achievement as the recipient of multiple scholarship awards,” states the Miss Orange County Teen Regional 2012 website.

Her accomplishments and activities listed on the website include earning the President Volunteer Service Award-Gold for her work with community and charitable organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Children’s Hospital and Muscular Dystrophy Association. She was a four-year member and captain of the varsity cheer team at Ramona High School.

Jones lives in Ramona with her mother, Teri, 20-year-old sister, Ashlynn, and a 22-year-old brother, Andrew. Her grandparents are Shirley and Mark Jones, also of Ramona.