"Pageantry for me is kind of a sport," said Hooper. "The predominant reason I started competing again was to lose the baby weight after having my first baby. It's a good motivation to dress up pretty, put on makeup and not have a baby spit up on me." Winning the crown was a complete surprise to Hooper, who said she reacted "like a crazy woman on stage." "I didn't know what to do. I guess I should have paid more attention at rehearsal," she explained.

She does know what she's doing when it comes to community service. Hooper is launching the "Purple for Prosperity" program Dec. 17. For a $10 donation to the Foundation for Women, she will put in purple hair extensions for students at Carlsbad High School.

She will also apply purple hair extensions to clients at her shop at 2917 State St. Unit 230, inside Spa Samudra. The money raised is used to provide small loans to women worldwide to help them escape poverty by creating their own businesses. Hooper's next competition is the Mrs. California United States pageant in May.

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