MISS POMONA 2014 FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

 

 

 

Laila Alvares

 

 

Yesenia Perez

 

 

Stephanie Pinedo

POMONA, Calif., (January 29, 2014)—The Downtown Pomona Owners Association (DPOA) in collaboration with the Miss Pomona Pageant Committee, is pleased to announce the three finalists for the 2014 Miss Pomona Scholarship Pageant.

Out of a field of 30 applicants, this year’s finalists include Laila Alvarez (12^th grade) from Pomona High School, Yesenia Perez (12^th grade) from Pomona Catholic High School, and Stephanie Pinedo (12^th grade) from Fremont Academy of Engineering and Design. 

All Finalists attend high schools in Pomona with current grade point averages ranging from 3.9 to 4.6. Two out of the three young ladies are scheduled to deliver their Valedictorian speeches at their respective schools in June. In addition to showing evidence of their scholastic achievements, the finalists explained their involvement and interest in the community. Some of these activities include playing sports, serving food to the homeless, and volunteering with local organizations such as Teen VALUE Council, Pomona Economic Opportunity Center, the Superintendent Student Advisory Board and much more! Combined, their awards include the L.A. County Fair’s Youth Community Hero award, the Martin Luther King Jr. Youth Social Justice award, and 1^st place winner at the PAC²E Oratorical Competition.

“Each of the chosen semifinalists and finalists exemplify the qualities we hope to see in Pomona’s future leaders. Although very difficult to narrow it down, I am confident the three finalists will represent and serve the city well. Their strong history of academic achievement and community involvement, along with their poise and presentation, makes them perfect role models for the youth of Pomona,” said Lorena Matarrita, Pageant Committee Chairperson.

The Miss Pomona coronation ceremony will be held at the Pomona Fox Theater on Sunday, February 23rd, 5:00pm.  At this final round of the competition, each of the three finalists will present a personally prepared speech based on a topic relevant to Pomona. Finalists will deliver their speeches to attending friends, family, dignitaries and this year’s distinguished panel of judges:  President of the DPOA Carolyn Hemming, Executive Director of the Pomona Valley Boys & Girls Club Victor Caceres, Pomona Chamber of Commerce President Jill Reiff, Pomona Valley YMCA Executive Director Matthew Henry and Pomona City Councilmember Crisitina Carrizosa. The judges will make the final decision that night, culminating in the crowning of the new Miss Pomona 2014.

Recognitions for the newly crowned Miss Pomona and her court include scholarship monies, assorted gifts, and a full year of special appearances and community service opportunities.

While the DPOA is the major host and organizer of the pageant, other supportive sponsors are: resident and former Pomona Princess Adriana Robledo, Valley Vista Services and U.S. Bank.

“Awarding scholarships to such talented and thoughtful young ladies in our community is an honor that the DPOA values as an investment in our future,” said Larry Egan, DPOA Executive Director. “This tradition affords Pomona’s most promising young women a unique opportunity to be recognized for their outstanding academic achievements and community involvement.”

Generous support from local businesses makes the scholarship pageant a rousing success. Hoping to exceed last year’s benchmark, the committee is actively seeking sponsors at all levels, as well as in-kind donations.

“Business and community support sends a strong message that we value the hard work and healthy attitudes of these young people who are the hope of Pomona. The DPOA proudly underwrites the costs of the pageant so that one hundred percent of all money donated from sponsors goes towards scholarships for the Miss Pomona court,” explained Mr. Egan.

For more information regarding attendance and sponsorship opportunities, please visit: www.downtownpomona.org or call 909-469-1121.