LOCAL BEAUTIES- Miss Greater Ventura County Marley Gordon of Ventura, left, and Miss Greater Ventura County Teen Liz Anderson, also of Ventura, pose with their awards. Marley Gordon of Ventura was named Miss Greater Ventura County 2008 during the recent Miss Greater Ventura County USA Pageant. Liz Anderson, also of Ventura, was named Miss Greater Ventura County Teen USA 2008.

The pageant took place at Pacifica High School in Oxnard. 29 young women participated. Miss California Teen USA Taylor Atkins and Miss Greater Ventura County and Miss Southern California executive director Toay FosterOrtiz were Mistresses of Ceremonies.

Marley Gordon attends Oxnard College with plans to transfer to a University of California school with aspirations in working in architecture or the medical field. She will dedicate her year to providing educational seminars to children emphasizing preparation for the future and how to succeed. Marley will compete at Miss California USA in November.

Liz Anderson has a 3.5 grade point average and has cheered for competitive allstar teams at Oxnard High School and Ventura College. She has attended competitive Cheerleading Worlds in Orlando, Florida twice. In her free time she volunteers to teach children dance and cheer and to sign books to deaf children. Liz will comepete at the Miss California Teen USA pageant in November.

Runners-up for the Miss Ventura County contest were Bonnie Carmalt, San Fernando Valley and Sylvia Montano, Simi Valley. The other semifinalists were Aimee Boess, Ventura; Kourtnee Massey, Oxnard and Sarah Johnston, Fillmore.

Runnersup for the teen contest were Savannah Ryan, Oxnard; Jessyka Parrington, Santa Clarita; Yvonne Lomeli, Fillmore; Janelle Buringham, Fillmore and Lace Granatelli, Ventura. The other semifinalists were Abigal Nunez, Oxnard; Victoria Ramirez, Ventura; Kelsey Macdonald, Fillmore and Brianna Esparza, Oxnard.

For more information, call Martha Foster at (805) 512-6214.