NEW QUEEN SCHEHERAZADE CROWNED
New court to reign as ambassadors of Fair

Names, left to right:
Princess Dunyazade: Lina El-Mahmoud
Queen Scheherazade: Madison Givens
Princess Jasmine: Abigail Beckert

Indio, CA – On Saturday evening, November 17, 2012, the Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival held the Queen Scheherazade Scholarship Pageant at the Fairgrounds in Indio. The Fullenwider Auditorium was transformed into a scene out of the 1001 Arabian Nights, as three young women were chosen to represent the Fair as the Queen and her Court.

Thirteen young ladies competed for their chance to be crowned queen; scholarship amounts range from $3,000 to $3,500. The ladies were previously interviewed by judges in an elimination round in October and during the Pageant gave a speech in business attire, answered questions in evening gowns and in traditional Arabian costumes. The 2013 court winners are Madison Givens for Queen Scheherazade, Lina El-Mahmoud for Princess Dunyazade, and Abigail Beckert for Princess Jasmine.

Madison is a senior at Xavier College Prep High School. She is involved with the Red Cross and plans on becoming a “Doctor Without Borders” physician. Lina attends Temescal Canyon High School. She plans on one day obtaining a Ph.D. in Psychology and Behavioral Sciences. Abigail is a recent graduate of La Quinta High School and now attends the College of the Desert. She plans on attending law school after completing her Bachelor’s in Political Science.

The new Queen and her Court will reign as ambassadors for the Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival, their duties will include promoting the Fair at various City Council meetings, parades and other special appearances leading up to the Fair, February 15-24, 2013. For more information about the Fair, call 1-800-811-FAIR.