A new Miss Escalon is due to be crowned this evening, with 13 young women seeking the title.
The Miss Escalon Pageant is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 12 at the Escalon Community Center with a theme of ‘Wonderland’ and will see all vying for the crown and scholarship money.
Candidates this year include Emily McPherrin, Tatiana Martinez, Amanda Rickman, Mary Adams, Courtney Ney, Sydney Moeller, Anabelle Shafter, Lily Franks, Karsyn Beckham, Monica Briones-Chavarria, Grace Stime, Madison Kimble and Kaitlyn Matsunami.
The pageant features a little bit of music, dancing, a question and answer session, and more, with a panel of judges casting ballots based on a number of factors, including prior interviews with the candidates.
The newly crowned Miss Escalon will represent the community during the coming year at a number of events throughout the region.
On Thursday, July 13, several local youngsters will look to earn the title of Little Miss or Little Mr. Escalon. That pageant also is scheduled at the Community Center with a 6 p.m. start time.
Little Miss hopefuls are Emily Govia, Jocelyn Avila, Jocelynne Sisk, Kalee Bailey-Donis, Kirsten Yater, Sofia Lozano, Sophia Bella Barboza, and Zaniah Griffin. In the running for Little Mr. Escalon are Frank Borba, Ivan Mendez, Ivan Plascencia, Josue Plascencia, Max Villanueva, Caleb Kay, and Maddix Leal. Winners will serve as city ambassadors for the coming year as well, joining Miss Escalon in that role.
Meanwhile, the 2017 Senior Mr. and Mrs. Escalon, Al and Eva Bellinger, were feted at a Tuesday luncheon in their honor, July 11, at the Community Center. Friends, family, city officials and a number of dignitaries turned out for the festivities. The couple moved to Escalon in 1971 and still live in the house they originally moved to all those years ago. The two have been involved in the community in a number of capacities over the years, including Little League baseball, youth wrestling, the Escalon Recreation Commission, Sports Boosters and more. Al served as an EMT with Escalon Community Ambulance and Eva also volunteered at the Dent Elementary school library, in addition to working with the local YLI boutique. Al is also active with the local American Legion post, and is a Navy veteran.
The 2017 royalty and all members of their courts will ride in the Park Fete parade on Saturday morning.
The pageants are just one portion of the festive Park Fete celebration; more information on the special events can be found in this week’s issue on pages A4 and A5.
