Part of the week’s events leading up to the two-day Escalon Park Fete celebration are the annual pageants; with a new Miss Escalon and a new Little Mr. and Little Miss Escalon selected.

Always drawing a good crowd, both pageants were hosted at the Escalon Community Center, with the Miss Escalon event on Wednesday, July 12 and the Little Mr. and Miss Escalon event on Thursday, July 13.

Ten hopefuls were in the running for Miss Escalon this year: Kilee Hernlund, Destiny Reyes, Janesa Aldasoro, Aubrie Manriquez, Aileen Aguirre, Andrea Grillo, Emelyn Pantoja, Faith Reyes, Sophia Martin and Krystal Hannaford.

Contestants opened the evening with a choreographed dance routine, then change in to a casual outfit. They take the stage one at a time, explaining why they chose their outfit and what it means to them. Many sported cheerleading or sports team attire, others showcased their membership in FFA or promoted their hobbies and interests through their casual dress.

A formal wear portion followed, with contestants escorted by a family member. Some unique facts about them were shared during this portion, and then each contestant had to answer two questions.

There were plenty of touching moments and a few laughs along the way, with outgoing Miss Escalon Isabella Nalbandian also taking the microphone to detail her year in the position.

A judging team made up of representatives from Manteca Youth Focus scored the competition. First honors announced were Miss Photogenic, Krystal Hannaford; Miss Congeniality, Andrea Grillo; and Miss Inspirational, Emelyn Pantoja.

Second Runner Up was Aubrie Manriquez, First Runner Up was Destiny Reyes and earning the title of Miss Escalon 2023 was Aileen Aguirre.

“Very excited, I did not expect it all and I started kind of crying,” an emotional but happy Aguirre said after receiving her crown.

She learned of it from a friend’s Instagram post and, to her own surprise, decided to get involved.

“I don’t usually do these things because I’m more of a sports person, an athlete,” said the standout EHS soccer player, “but, I did it and it was fun, I enjoyed all of it.”

Thursday night it was the Little Mr. and Miss Escalon Pageant with Little Miss hopefuls Tinley Lombardi, Raegan Shepherd, Samantha Aceves, Everleigh Flick, Olivia Kost and Kinzley Van de Vrugt all seeking the title. Little Mr. Escalon contestants were Harrison Showalter, Grady Johnson and Judah Martinez.

The same group from Manteca Youth Focus did the scoring; contestants did a dance routine, answered a couple of questions, danced a little more and did a good job keeping the crowd smiling.

Tinley Lombardi was honest about why she wanted to be Little Miss Escalon.

“Because I did it last year and I didn’t win,” she said matter-of-factly, adding that she hoped to win the pageant this year.

She did, earning the sash and crown, with Harrison Showalter selected as Little Mr. Escalon.

After getting hugs from mom and dad and posing for lots of photos, young Tinley was again excited, as she exclaimed “Now I get ice cream!”