Miss California certainly isn’t ‘mis’directed?

 More important than Dustin-Leigh Konzelman’s 2005 titles as Miss San Diego and Miss California, she looks forward to casting her crowns squarely at the feet of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In fact, this 23-year-old North County resident sees her recent attention as her unique ministry to impact lives for Christ. “It has been my prayer since I was a little girl to make my life count for God and to be available to do big things for Him.”

 Life is somewhat different for Miss Konzelman today than it was down on the farm near Puyallup, Wash. Somewhat different, but not totally. The oldest of six children and the only girl, even then, “they called me the princess and the sheriff,” said Dustin-Leigh, who helped administrate law and order to her younger siblings. “I liked to be in control,” she admitted. “Through my life, I’m learning to allow the Lord to take the reins. His plan is the best plan.” But obedience was an acquired taste for the budding beauty. “I had plenty of bad behavior growing up. I was a pre-school terror,” she confessed. Dustin-Leigh is thankful for parents that took an active role in her disciplined life for Christ at an early age.

 Both her mom and dad (as well as her brothers) are committed Christians. “My mom saw the early warning signs and stepped down from her career in teaching high school physical education,” said Miss Konzelman. Her mom downsized her teaching career to home school with her children.

 Home schooling became one of the best experiences in Dustin-Leigh’s life. She was home schooled all the way through high school. It was also something she had to defend often. “I dealt with a stereotype that some hold toward home schooled children: that they are socially underdeveloped or were “kept home” for some secret reason. Growing up, I found myself almost constantly explaining that I enjoyed being home schooled. Instead of viewing it as a handicap. I saw it for what it truthfully was: opportunity.”

 Opportunity, indeed. Dustin-Leigh feels her scholastic excellence is greatly due to this type of education. “Being home schooled, I was taught the disciplines of figuring things out on my own, so that when I went to college, I discovered what a luxury having a professor was. In reality, I am on track to graduate Magna Cum Laude and I am a member of Alpha Chi for being in the top 10% of my college class. I hope I can show people a different perspective of how positive home schooling can be.”

Miss California plans to apply her scholarship money directly towards her Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. “Afterwards, I hope to pursue a Doctorate in Psychology and to go into private practice as a marriage and family therapist (her father’s profession),” she added.

 Another invaluable element in Dustin-Leigh’s character was forged through her love for music. In fact, an accomplished pianist, guitarist and mandolin player, she chose to play her fiddle as part of the Miss California competition. “My whole family pursued music,” she says. “We formed the Konzelman Family Band when I was growing up.” This was also a way to take their faith in Christ to the streets. And to the nations. “We spent two years playing at churches to raise funds to minister in Europe. We saw it as a missionary outreach. It was quite an experience.”

 As she looks back, besides her trust in the Lord, Dustin-Leigh credits her upbringing, schooling, determination, and especially her music for opening the door for her next, crowning accomplishments. Ever practical, this was not so much to showcase her beauty and talent, as it was to find ways to cover her higher education and glorify God. “When my family did concerts, we would stay around and minister to the audience,” said Dustin-Leigh. “After one performance, someone told me, ‘you ought to put on an evening gown and make scholarship money.’” Since she was preparing for college, the idea appealed to her. Dustin-Leigh entered the Miss Washington contest in 2003 and 2004 gaining 2nd and 3rd place scholarship money. “I was ready to close that chapter of my life and move on with my education,” she said.

 However, further encouragement came from Luke Seltzer, her boyfriend and son of Pastor Don Seltzer of North Coast Presbyterian Church. “Since I was moving to North County to prepare for college in California, Luke said, ‘why not run for Miss San Diego.’ He proposed to me on my birthday, February 6th, and I won the Miss San Diego crown on February 27th.” But, her whirlwind was just beginning. Up next, Miss California.

 When asked what gave her the confidence in competing for that honor, her reply was measured and well-thought-out. “I knew that my life would change as Miss California, or it would change in a whole different way as I became Mrs. Seltzer. I had nothing to lose. Besides, I never needed a title to validate me. I’m Dustin-Leigh Konzelman, daughter of the King.”

 Her confidence as the “King’s kid” also gave her the freedom and conviction to minister God’s love throughout the competition. During the elimination process on the final night, “I began to sense that even if I were not selected, the Lord may have me there to minister to the girls I was running with. I gathered them together and prayed with them that last night. And, if that was all there was to it, and I didn’t win, that was okay, too. That’s enough.”

 God had greater plans for this farm girl on that night. Dustin-Leigh remembered the moment. “My family had driven down from Washington in their Suburban to show their support. The finals were Saturday night and they announced the top ten. These finalists would do the evening gowns, physical fitness, talent and interviews to determine the top five and the final interview would help determine the winner.” She was the eighth chosen out of the ten, but the first chosen out of the subsequent final five. It was time for her individual question, which could determine the outcome of the contest. “Dustin-Leigh,” asked the emcee, “what do you think of Bush’s handling of stem cell research?” She calmly answered the question according to her conviction that she does not approve of certain avenues of stem cell research because she feels that we can begin to “play God.”

That night, the verse in I Samuel 2:30 which says, “Them that honor me will I honor” came to pass in this young lady’s life.

 Since then, Dustin-Leigh has been high profile throughout the state. “My passion is to speak at elementary schools,” she said. “My message is character education.” This is the same message that she received from her parents during her upbringing. “Some don’t hear that at home. I learned it around the dinner table. These students need to know that their choices dictate how their life will go. It’s important to make right choices and be honest.”

 When asked to give her parting words of advice to readers, as usual, her reply was full of conviction. “Each of us can change the course of history with the gifts we have been given. I believe this with all my heart. God can do amazing things with humble people. Never look at your situation, thinking you don’t have the training or heritage. God can use what you have to change the world if you give it to Him.”