Teens Bid to Be Queen as Part of Cinco Fest

Vying to be the city’s Cinco de Mayo queen means more than wearing a crown during the festivities this weekend at La Palma Park.

For the four teenagers in the contest, it means scholarships as well as an opportunity to represent their culture and be role models for young Latinas.

“It’s nice to have something that represents our ethnicity,” said contender Angelina Prieto, 18, a Katella High School senior.

Veronica Cervantes, 17, an Anaheim High School senior, said, “It makes me proud to be a Mexican American. I would really like to represent my Hispanic community.”

The other contestants this year are Rosy Barba, 17, a Katella High School senior, and Nadia Garcia, 19, a Fullerton College student.

This week, the fiesta queen contestants were busy getting ready for the coronation ball, being fitted for their floor-length white gowns and trying on the crown.

They agreed that the contest has given them self-confidence.

To participate, each had to sell raffle tickets and get sponsorships to garner votes for themselves. The contestant who sold the most tickets and raised the most money, which helps to offset the contest’s costs, will become queen.

Besides a scholarship, each contestant will win a trip to Cruz Azul, Mexico, the fiesta’s sister city, for Mexico’s Independence Day on Sept. 16.

Each of the teens has high aspirations. Barba wants to be a nurse; Cervantes, a probation officer; Garcia, either a CIA agent or a patrol officer; and Prieto, a child psychologist.

Barba said there were times she wanted to quit, but she pushed herself to the end. “I’m proud of myself, even if I don’t win. It’s all about the experience and knowing that I tried my best.”

For Prieto, this year’s event has special significance. She is the granddaughter of Joel Guerena, who founded the fiesta 25 years ago and continued to be involved until his death April 5. This year’s event is dedicated to his memory.

“My grandfather always wanted one of his granddaughters to be queen,” Prieto said this week.

The 26th annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta opened Thursday with a carnival that continues through the weekend. The coronation ceremony will be today at the Night Star Ballroom, 1445 S. Lemon St., Fullerton. Tickets to the 7 p.m. coronation dance are $5 and are available at the door.

On Saturday and Sunday, in addition to the carnival, there will be more than 90 food and product booths, entertainment and soccer tournaments. Parking and admission are free.

A special exhibition by Anaheim Boxing Club will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, and a Catholic Mass will be celebrated in the park’s stadium at 9 a.m. Sunday.

Fiesta hours are 5 p.m. to midnight today; 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Events are at La Palma Park, La Palma Avenue and Harbor Boulevard. Information: (714) 254-5274.