Story & Photos By Bill Norris, DiamondBarPatch

Inside the Diamond Bar High School Performing Arts Theater, the smiles were just as radiant, as Alexandra Miller was crowned the new Miss Diamond Bar.

The 16-year-old Diamond Bar High junior beat out eight other contestants to earn the honor in her first-ever pageant outing.

"I wanted to try something new," said Alexandra, who is also a varsity cross country runner for the Brahmas. "I had a little bit of extra time since I wasn't doing track, and I wanted to do something outside of my bubble."

The nine contestants competed Sunday in an interview session with the judging panel, as well as an on-stage question, swimsuit competion and evening gown competition. The field was narrowed to five, with the remaining few asked one final question -- "What was the best piece of advice you were ever given?" -- which helped the judges determine the winner.

Besides her distance running background, Alexandra takes three advanced placement classes and is on the principal's honor roll at Diamond Bar. She also works as a tutor for elementary and middle school students, and had been accepted to be a part of the school's advanced show choir, but had to bow out due to class commitments.

Alexandra and her court will spend the next year representing the city at community events, including the LA County Fair, the city's birthday celebration and other city functions.

The rest of the court includes:

• First runner-up Krista Hoechmann, a 16-year-old junior at Diamond Ranch High School
• Second runner-up Alena Gluschenko, a 17-year-old junior at Diamond Bar High School
• Third runner-up Madisen Rodman, a 16-year-old junior at Diamond Ranch High School
• Fourth runner-up Elyse Goin, a 17-year-old junior at Diamond Ranch High School

The other participants in the pageant included Tiffany Tran (17, junior, Diamond Bar High); Whitney Tang (17, senior, Diamond Bar High); Raven Lin (16, sophomore, Diamond Bar High); and Pauline Nguyen (junior, Diamond Bar High).

Alexandra will now have the opportunity to represent the city in the Miss California 2013 contest -- worth $1,000. She also received $650 in scholarship funds and other prizes. Each of the princesses received $375 in scholarship funds.

As far as how she felt Sunday, the new Miss Diamond Bar was still a little in shock.

"It's not sinking in," Alexandra said. "Maybe when the year's over and I then I give it to the next Miss Diamond Bar, it will sink in."