Raeceen Woolford, a former University of Hawaiçi Rainbow Wahine volleyball player who was crowned Miss Hawaiçi on Saturday, said yesterday that sports and pageants are not that far apart.

“They both required discipline, leadership, teamwork and being able to handle responsibility,” said Woolford, 24. “It all felt familiar to me. ... I endeavored to get out of my comfort zone and saw another side of myself.”
Woolford graduated in 2008 from UH with a bachelor’s degree in health studies. She is applying to graduate schools to obtain an advanced degree in public health and plans to become a doctor.
Woolford goes on to compete in the Miss America pageant Jan. 30 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.