Buhach senior crowned Miss Merced County 2015
Rose Beltran was crowned Miss Merced County 2015 to the sound of loud cheers and applause during Saturday’s pageant inside Buhach Colony High’s theater.
“It’s still kind of like a dream,” the 17-year-old Buhach Colony High senior said in a calm voice, as the reality of her accomplishment set in.
Beltran’s career ambition is to obtain a master’s degree in clinical psychology. Her platform, or what she plans on advocating during her time as Miss Merced County, is foster care systems and organizations.
Beltran said she hopes to spread awareness about the the foster care system and reform it. When asked what she plans to do next after winning her crown, Beltran didn’t hesitate, saying she wants “to let foster youth know that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and they can come up on top and do anything.”
Beltran gave some credit for her win to Marge Sadler, a retired teacher and a court appointed special advocate for foster youths. “She has just supported me through everything and I would just like to thank her,” Beltran said.
The newly crowned Beltran will receive a $1,000 scholarship and an opportunity to vie for the Miss California crown in June. The pageant is scheduled to be held in Fresno.
The other contestants for Miss Merced County were Jolene Cortez, 17, Malina Meza, 19, and Arissa Higgins, 17.
During Saturday’s event 13 women also competed for the titles of Miss Sierra Nevada and Miss Yosemite Valley.
Winning this year’s Miss Sierra Nevada crown was UCLA law student Carley Ryckman, 23. Ryckman will receive a $500 scholarship.
This year’s Miss Yosemite Valley crown winner was Izamar Olaguez, 22, a student of the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.
Miss Merced County is a franchise of the Miss America Organization. Education and community service are the main priorities of the program, according to a press release.
This story was originally published January 18, 2015 at 2:55 AM with the headline "Buhach senior crowned Miss Merced County 2015."