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Alexandria O’Brien was crowned Cinderella Overall Miniature Miss winner.
Special to the Copper Basin News
The First Annual Pinal County Cinderella Preliminary Pageant began with Cinderella State Co-Director Erin Raczynski welcoming the audience, followed by Gila County Cinderella Beauty & Cover Girl Veronica Baez saying the Pledge of Allegiance.
Ms. Raczynski, emcee for the pageant, introduced two of the State Royalty Arizona Cinderella Woman, Marie Miller, and Cinderella Teen Mariah Larronde, the judges and State Co-Director, Terry Nurss.
Before the pageant started, each of the 12 participants were interviewed in their individual category by the judges. Tots, ages 3 -6 , were interviewed individually on stage by Ms. Raczynski in the Tot Personality portion of the competition. Ten participants and two score sheet participants modeled party wear and, then, casual wear, while a little information was announced about each girl, including parents, name, hobbies, favorite food and future goals.
Between competitions, the audience was entertained with special performances by current GIla County Cinderella Beauty, Veronica Baez, and, participant in the Cinderella State Open, Marissa Baez, the Co-DIrector’s daughters.
While the judges were voting, the State Royalty Cinderella Woman, Ms. Miller, and, Cinderella Teen, Ms. Larronde, entertained the audience.
Every girl was brought center-stage and presented with a trophy. Photogenic Talent / Tot Personality and Beauty winners were also presented with banner and tiaras. Overall winners were also presented with flowers. Cover Girl winner was also presented with a trophy, banner, tiara and flowers.
Overall Winners were in Tots Brianna Granillo; Overall Miniature, Miss Alexandria O’Brien; Talent, Ariza Castillo; Beauty, Emily Meeks; Photogenic, Isabella Wernett; Talent 1st Alternate, Kimberly Newman; and, Beauty 1st Alternate, Faith Bracamonte. Overall MIss was Kaylin Pacheco; Overall Woman and Photogenic was Josette Kimmel; and, Talent was Maria Avenetti. Cover Girl winner was Kimberly Newman.
Participants were Emily Meeks, Isabella Wernett, Faith Bracamonte, Josette Kimmel, Maria Avenetti, J. Kaylin Pacheco. Score Sheet participants were Tot Adrianna Throop, and miniature, Miss Elizabeth Throop.
After the crowning and awards, the parents of the participants were recognized on stage by presenting the mother with a sash, crown and a red rose, and, the dad with a crown designed by the girls. Ms. Raczynski mentioned that this was the first time she had seen the parents being recognized this way in a pageant.
All participants qualify to attend the Arizona State Finals on June 8-13, at the Hilton El Conquistador Resort in Tucson.
Pinal County residents interested in participating in the Pinal County Cinderella Pageant, and be a part of the Pinal County delegation, can attend the State Open on April 12, and qualify to go to the State Finals. For further information, contact Dolores Baez or Gloria Beltran, or go to the Cinderella web: http: //www.arizonacinderella.com or on Facebook at facebook.com/ArizonaCinderella.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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