Elisabeth Sandoval Crowned 45^th Miss Marigold

The Pekin Marigold Festival is proud to introduce Elisabeth Sandoval as the 45^th reigning Queen to represent the community of Pekin over the next year.
 

Pekin, IL-  Miss Elisabeth Sandoval was crowned the 45^th Miss Marigold queen after competing against four other young women Saturday night. Caroline Manning won first runner-up. Second runner-up was Gabrielle Rueschhoff.  This year the pageant also awarded a Community Service Award to both Emma Michael and Elisabeth Sandoval, an Academic Achievement Award to Elisabeth Sandoval and Talia Bianchi, and Miss Congeniality to Elisabeth Sandoval.  

Sandoval was overcome by emotion on the stage as the emcee announced the title of Miss Marigold.

“I spent thirteen years dreaming about this moment, and it turned out to be so much more than anything I could’ve ever imagined. But it’s only the beginning,” said Elisabeth Sandoval. “I couldn’t be more proud to represent and serve Pekin for the next year.”

Elisabeth Sandoval is a member of the National Honor Society and a National Scholarship recipient. She was invited to join the James Scholar Honors Program at the University of Illinois Champaign/Urbana where she will attend college this fall. Sandoval is the youngest graduate of the R. David Tebben Community Leadership Academy. During the pageant, Sandoval sang her own rendition of Billie Joel's "Vienna". 

For the first time in the pageant’s history, the daughter of a former Miss Marigold Queen has won the title. Shannon Sandoval, then Tebben, won the title in 1991. Reflecting on the new history being made, Shannon Sandoval remarks her heart feels full.

“The Miss Marigold pageant has always held such a special place in my heart,” says Shannon Sandoval. "I grew up attending from the time I was five years old, and when I was crowned I thought it couldn’t get any better. But now my daughter has also grown up with the pageant and watching her achieve her dream of being Miss Marigold is really just indescribable.”

More about the Miss Marigold Pageant- The Miss Marigold Pageant focuses on awarding scholarship money to savvy, goal oriented and aware young women from our community.  Contestants will compete in the areas of interview, community service, on-stage question, talent, and evening gown.  The young woman chosen to reign over this year's festival will receive a $2,500 scholarship and have an active role in a variety of community events throughout her year-long term.

 

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Contact: Brittney Hogue
Communications Coordinator
Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce
309-642-7029
brittney@pekinchamber.com