Centennial Celebs: Katie Martin, Monica Popp Crowned for Big Year

San Diego State student Katie Martin was last to take a question among seven young women Friday night in the annual pageant. But at the end of the night she stood alone in first—a tiara atop her head as the new Miss La Mesa.

Lucky (and talented) among 13 younger contestants was Monica Popp, a 16-year-old soccer player and aspiring journalist who attends West Hills High School. Judges including Mary Quals, Miss La Mesa of 1955,  picked Monica as Miss Teen La Mesa.

Outgoing Miss La Mesa Erynne Grecco and Miss Teen La Mesa Danamarie McNicholl-Carter crowned their successors before an audience of 700 in the main sanctuary of Sonrise Community Church, drinking in the light-and-music extravaganza, with local elementary school girls in the princess program addressing the audience as well.

(“When I grow up,” the elementary schoolgirls took turns saying, “I want to be” ... “a mermaid,” “a veterinarian,” “a famous singer,” “a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader”—drawing extra cheers—“president.”)

Judges for the La Mesa portion of the twin pageant (Miss Santee and Miss Teen Santee being chosen at the same event) also included banker John Vigil of the La Mesa Village Merchants Association, traffic reporter and Miss La Mesa of 1991 Marsi Latimer, Union Bank (Santee) branch manager Jana Bradley and chief judge and Miss La Mesa of 2007 Kristina Johnson. Speech judge was Tiger Palafox and essay judge was Jen Chaney.

Other Miss La Mesa entrants were Carly Russell, Jennifer Brooks, Ashley Gonzalez, Lindsey Palser, Kaitlyn Foster and Cassandra Steppat—all sponsored by local businesses or their families.

Other Miss Teen La Mesa contestants were Grossmont High’s Nicole Ross, Grossmont High’s Emily Shannon, Academy of Our Lady of Peace student Aminha Al-Jaber, Brittany Garcia, Helix Charter High's Morgan Holliman and Steele Canyon junior Rebekah Patton. Also: Helix junior Katie Yale, Michaela Barney, Susanna Williams, Ariel Cohen Lady of Peace academy’s Heather Pardin and Jaclyn Combs.

Major sponsors of the pageants were the Santee and La Mesa chambers of commerce, the cities of La Mesa and Santee and Grossmont Center. Alexandra Kuty, Miss La Mesa of 2000, was the event director. La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid and Santee Mayor Randy Voepel presented the young ladies as new city representatives for ribbon-cuttings and other events.