Contributed Photos
Above, Teagan Soares (center) receives her crown from 2017 Miss Salinas Valley Fair Rena Escobar, while fellow contestant Angelita Cisneros-Aguilar watches. Below, Miss Salinas Valley Fair contestants Angelina Gortarez, Teagan Soares and Angelita Cisneros-Aguilar.
SOUTH COUNTY — King City High School student Teagan Soares was named 2018 Miss Salinas Valley Fair last weekend after two days of competition.
“I am so grateful for the support from my family and friends in my pursuit for the title of Miss Salinas Valley Fair,” said Soares after receiving her crown and sash. “I can’t wait to meet everyone at this year’s Salinas Valley Fair in King City.”
Soares, 18, daughter of Jason and Dawn Soares of Lockwood, has an impressive track record with three weight champions and multiple top-four placings in junior and senior sheep showmanship. She is active in her high school FFA chapter, earning her Greenhand, Star Greenhand Chapter Farmer and State Degree.
Her dedication and hard work also led to a scholarship that helped fund a trip to the National FFA Convention in Louisville, Ky.
Soares said earning the Miss Salinas Valley Fair title “means that I have to take that role of leadership and lead my community into a better time.”
In her spare time, Soares works part time for Green Rubber Kennedy Ag in Greenfield in the sales department. She assists customers in need of irrigation, safety and fertilizer equipment as well as parts for tractors and pumps.
Soares won the scholastic and appearance and the horsemanship portion of the March 16-17 competition.
She was crowned by 2017 Miss Salinas Valley Fair Rena Escobar and is the recipient of a $2,000 scholarship, among other prizes.
The winner of the Personality competition was Angelita Cisneros-Aguilar.
Cisneros-Aguilar, 17, is a senior at Soledad High School and the daughter of Miguel Cisneros and Maria Aguilar of Soledad. She also has received the Greenhand Degree, Star Chapter Greenhand, Chapter Farmer Degree, Star Chapter Farmer and Outstanding Junior Award.
“This competition brought me out of my comfort zone,” Cisneros-Aguilar said. “This brings a broad perspective of our fair and about our Salinas Valley culture. I wanted to bring community members involved, not just in Monterey County, but overall.”
Miss Salinas Valley Fair’s third competitor was Angelina Gortarez, 17, a senior at Soledad High School. She is active in her FFA chapter at school and began her showmanship career with a market lamb and has also shown rabbits.
“This gave me a great opportunity to expand my mindset,” Gortarez said. “I got motivated by Angelita Cisneros and she pushed me throughout this competition.”
Gortarez said she was lucky she stayed in the competition because she learned a lot and overcame her fear of speaking in front of crowds.
Soares will represent Miss Salinas Valley Fair during the Fair Kick-Off event April 28 and be an ambassador for the annual fair set for May 17-20 in King City.
