Melissa Vargas named Miss Cinco de Mayo

Hesperia High School presented its 4th Annual Scholarship Pageant Ms. Cinco de Mayo in Sultan Hall at Sultana High School.

Music, dance, acting, poise and personality of the candidates was also supported by the choreography and dances from Irma Aguilar's Multi-Cultural Dance Center. These talents were evaluated to choose Ms. Cinco de Mayo 2008.

All the girls were already winners since they were qualified for the competition, said Maria Regalado, event organizer and co-advisor of the HHS Spanish Club. Of course, only one of them would had to take the crown.

The candidates were Marlena Bernal, Magbis Garcia, Evelyn Herrera, Laura Rea, Christina Soriano and Melissa Vargas.

The Ms. Cinco de Mayo competition started on 2005, when Wendy Mejia was declared the winner. On 2006, Ms Cinco de Mayo was Natalia Guzman and on 2007, the winner was Paloma Rodriguez Flores.

Omar Lopez, Dee Mahr, Marilyn Stafford and Jennifer Calderon played the judge's role.

Master of ceremonies duties for the event were shared by Jaime Ruiz, HHS Prom King, Mr. Scorpion, Ilyanna Gutierrez and Natalie Sanchez.
After demonstrating their talent in dance, singing, acting, fashion wear and night wear, the judges had the difficult task of choosing the winner who this time was Melissa Vargas.

Excited when she heard her name, Melissa was crowned by Paloma Rodriguez, the Ms. Cinco de Mayo 2007.

Melissa, who possesses a beautiful voice, sang "Cielo Rojo," which resulted in shouts and applause from the audience.

None of the other participants was left behind showing off their talents. Evelyn Herrera danced a beautiful tango, Magbis Garcia recited "Zapatitos Rosa" (Little Pink Shoes), Marlena Bernal performed a Folklorico dance, Laura Rea swayed her hips dancing a belly dance, and Christina Soriano did an Indian dance.

Marlena Bernal was chosen as first runner-up, and she received the tittle of Miss Congeniality.

Laura Rea was chosen as second runner-up, and Evelyn Herrera received the title of Miss Hospitality.

The candidates were dressed with elegant and sheer night clothes. They all looked beautiful.

The scholarship awards that the winners received were: Ms. Cinco de Mayo $700; 1st. Runner-up $400; Miss Congeniality $150.

As an especial accompaniment, Michael Chavez, played the beautiful melody "Fur Elise" at the piano.

The event was coordinated by the Hesperia High School Spanish Club and the Associated Student Body.

Carmen V. Gutierrez is a staff writer for El Mojave, a Spanish-language sister publication of the Hesperia Star. A Spanish version of this story appears in this week's El Mojave.