“Be yourself.” That is the key, said newly crowned Miss San Joaquin County Joelle Aud, to succeeding in a scholarship pageant — and in life.

“The best experience I had was being myself,” she said. “In new situations you always have to be yourself; that’s what I did.”

Aud, a native Turlocker who resides in Stockton as a graduate student at the University of the Pacific, took first place and the crown in the pageant on Saturday at the Cesar Chavez High School Theater in Stockton.

The Miss San Joaquin County competition was Aud’s first pageant experience; “I really wanted to get involved in Stockton and San Joaquin County,” she said.

Aud’s platform during the pageant was “Education through Music,” something she feels very strongly about.

“I started music at a young age,” she said. “The benefits are so strong in my life. I am a firm believer it really helps students in all aspects of school.”

For the talent portion of the competition Aud played “Carnival in Venice” on the flute, an instrument she has been playing since she was 8 years old.

During her reign as Miss San Joaquin County, Aud said she plans to visit all the cities in the county and attend as many public events as possible. In June, Aud will represent San Joaquin County at the Miss California/Miss America preliminary competition in Fresno.

She is the daughter of John and Jane Aud of Turlock, and a 2006 graduate of Turlock High School. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music from UOP in 2010, and is currently working on a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, while completing her elementary and special education teaching credentials.

She hopes to eventually obtain a doctorate in school psychology.

To contact Kristina Hacker, e-mail khacker@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2004.