NEW QUEEN SCHEHERAZADE CROWNED
New court to reign as ambassadors of Fair
Names, left to right:
Princess Dunyazade: Courtney Lee
Queen Scheherazade: Desiree Porras
Princess Jasmine: Rita SandovalOn Saturday evening, November 17, 2007, the Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival held its 62nd Annual Queen Scheherazade Scholarship Pageant, sponsored by the City of Indian Wells 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 as the Queen and her Court.
Twelve 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 answered questions in business attire, evening gowns, and in the traditional Arabian costumes. The 2008 court winners are Desiree Porras for Queen Scheherazade, Courtney Lee for Princess Dunyazade, and Rita Sandoval for Princess Jasmine.
Desiree, a senior at Indio High School, serves as senior class president and has received Renaissance awards for her GPA, as well as recognition from the California Scholarship Federation. Courtney, a senior at La Quinta High School, is passionate about musical theater, a member of Honors Chamber Singers and Blackhawks on Broadway, two of the highest performing choirs at La Quinta High School. She plans on continuing her education at Pepperdine University with a major in journalism and a minor in musical theater. A senior at Desert Hot Springs High School, Rita Sandoval, maintains a 4.4 GPA. She serves as President of the Desert Hot Springs High School Zinch Movement, Vice President of Link Crew, Writers on the Verge and Spanish Club. Rita was Miss Desert Hot Springs 2007-2008.
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, 2008. For more information about the Fair, call 1-800-811-FAIR. |