Community Corner
2012 Spring Valley, Lemon Grove and College Grove Pageant Queens Crowned
A dozen local girls were crowned at the Grove Scholarships Pageant, under the umbrella of the Council for Youth Empowerment.
The end of February ushers in one of the region’s most-anticipated pageant of the year, the Grove Scholarships Pageants. Dozens of girls all prettied up and practicing their poise brought cheers and whoops from a full house on Saturday night at this year’s event dubbed “Fun and Fabulous '50s."
The hosted the Scholarship Pageant of Miss College Grove, Miss Lemon Grove and Miss Spring Valley. Miss California 2012, who was also Miss College Grove 2011, got the evening to a good start with singing the national anthem.
Miss Junior Teen College Grove 2011 Kayla Elizondo thanked pageant director Elizabeth McBrayer, saying she had been like a mother to the girls. She added that the pageant had helped take her out of her shell.
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Thirty-one girls and young ladies competed for titles in College Grove Court, Lemon Grove Court and Spring Valley Court. The winners are:
Spring Valley Court
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Miss Pre-Teen – Lilliana Valle
Miss Junior Teen – Ashley Lahti
Miss Teen – Kathy-Sue Pierce
Miss Spring Valley – Rebecca Kassab
Lemon Grove Court
Miss Pre-Teen –Savannah Hayes
Miss Junior Teen – Emily Reveles
Miss Teen – Ana Szumilas
Miss Lemon Grove – Hannah Stutz
College Grove Court
Miss Pre-Teen – Carissa Montes
Miss Junior Teen – Kayleigh Brower
Miss Teen – Alexis Osuna
Miss College Grove – Ashley Gonzalez
Other winners were Kiaundra Gilliam for the People’s Choice Award. The Photogenic Award went to Lemon Grove Miss Pre-Teen winner Savannah Hayes. The winner of the Essay Award went to two girls, Spring Valley Junior Teen winner Ashley Lahti and Lemon Grove Teen winner Ana Szumilas.
College Grove Teen contestant Karen Krueger walked away with the Speech Award, and the audience went wild when Spring Valley Junior Teen contestant Kyrie Skinner took the Congeniality Award.
What makes the Grove Scholarships Pageant distinct from others is that they are under the umbrella of Council for youth Empowerment. Established in 2003, the council recognizes, reward and showcases youth. The council holds to the belief that young people’s education is the cornerstone of a strong and successful nation.
Congratulations to all of the contestants and winners of this year's pageant.
Pageant photos were taken by James R. Stanley, Jr. See more of his work at www.mc2photos.com
