by Cindy Tyler
Twenty-one of the area’s brightest and most accomplished young women will compete for the titles of Miss Vista and Miss Teen Vista on Saturday, August 6. Miss Vista 2020/2021 Priscila Campos and Miss Teen Vista 2020/2021 Arabella Kriedeman will crown the new queens and four runner-up princesses in each age division. Mr. Vista 2022, Omar Onofre, will also be on hand to assist in the coronation.
“We’re excited to be back in front of an audience,” says pageant director Laura Bednar. The 2020 pageant was postponed for six months due to the Covid lockdown, and eventually was held virtually in October of that year. There was no 2021 pageant to allow the 2020 winners to have a complete year of events.
Miss Vista Contestants 2022
In spite of being the “Covid Queens,” Priscilla and Arabella enjoyed a year of service to Vista and the surrounding areas. It started out with drive-through events like the Sheriff Department’s drive through trick-or-treating at Halloween and Jingle Terrace Park at Christmas time, but eventually they were able to resume the normal schedule of parades, 4th of July celebration at Brengle Terrace Park, galas, and ribbon cuttings.
Miss Teen Vista Contestants 2022
The Miss Vista pageant is not a traditional “beauty pageant.” Contestants are judged on their ability to communicate, to speak in front of an audience, and their confidence. There’s no swimsuit or talent competition. Winners receive scholarships and a variety of prizes donated by local businesses. Miss Vista receives a customized diamond ring and Miss Teen Vista receives a diamond pendant, each designed and donated by John Shakarian Jeweler of Vista.
“We’re hoping for a large audience this year,” Bednar says, “It’s a fun show, as well as a way for the community to come together to support these young women.” This year’s theme is Viva Las Vegas, and the show will open with a dance number featuring the current queens, all twenty-one contestants, and Aaron Cardenas, Mr. Vista 2016 as Elvis. Raul Ricardez, Mr. Vista 2019, will be the evening’s master of ceremonies.
The event begins promptly at 5:30 p.m. at Guajome Park Academy, 2000 North Santa Fe Ave in Vista. Tickets are available in advance for $10 or can be purchased at the door for $12. Doors open at 4:30. To purchase tickets, or for more information about the Miss Vista, Miss Teen Vista, and Mr. Vista pageants, contact missvistapageants@gmail.com, or message on Instagram @missvistapageant.
