Greta Frances Pechter, daughter of interior designer Sondra Paskach and Santa Clarita-based physician Edward Pechter, M.D., F.A.C.S., is no stranger to the world of beauty. As Miss City of Roses USA representing the city of Pasadena, she will travel to the Miss California USA pageant Saturday and Sunday to compete against 149 other contestants.

This is Pechter's second consecutive trip to the Miss California USA pageant. She competed last year in the pageant as Miss Manhattan Beach and was awarded the "People's Choice Award."

Pechter's pageant roommate, Tami Farrell, won first runner-up then later awarded the title Miss California USA when former pageant winner Carrie Prejean lost her crown earlier this year amidst a firestorm of controversy.

"Expect the unexpected," said Pechter. "How you handle what comes your way is a good lesson for life in general."

At the pageant, contestants will be judged in three categories: Interview, swimsuit and evening gown.

"Going through the process before, it showed me what I had already done and has inspired me to do more. Last year was a learning experience; this year I'm going into the pageant with a different attitude," said Pechter.

Pechter began her pageant career in the Santa Clarita Valley. Competing in the Miss SCV Scholarship Program, she was crowned Miss SCV Photogenic in 2006 and Miss Newhall in 2007.

Pechter continues to practice the lessons of giving back to the community she learned through the Miss SCV program.

She participates and fundraises for many nonprofit organizations in the community.

In 2004, she was a Silver Rose Debutante for the Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital Guild.

Recently, she volunteered with Kid Expo to benefit the Santa Clarita Child and Family Center.

Pechter also spends her time volunteering for Rescues on the Runway, a local event to be held Sunday at the Hyatt Valencia to benefit homeless animals throughout Southern California.

She credits her family for playing an important role in helping her get ready for the pageant and providing inspiration.

"I owe it all to my parents as I wouldn't be able to do it without them," she said.

Pechter, 22, was born in Valencia, and attended La Salle High School in Sierra Madre.

She is a graduate of the Los Angeles Music Academy.

She also attended the University of Arizona, where she was actively involved in the Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority and the Hillel organization.

Pechter now attends the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in downtown Los Angeles full-time and is working toward degrees in Visual Communications and Business Management.

She is expected to graduate in 2010.

She hopes to pursue a career in event planning and set design and will one day open her own business.

The Miss California USA pageant will air live from The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage on Sunday.

(Check local listings for television channel and time.)

The young woman crowned Miss California USA will proceed to the Miss USA competition in April 2010, a precursor to the Miss Universe pageant.

For information on the 2010 Miss California USA event call (310) 275-4339 or visit www.MissCaliforniaUSA.com.