2022 Almond Queen

Saturday February 19th, four young ladies took the stage to compete for the title of Almond Queen at the Guinda Grange Hall. Karla Guijarro sponsored by KGBeez was crowned Almond Queen, and Nayeli Guillen sponsored by The Prickly Comb was awarded Miss Congeniality and runner up! Congratulations ladies!

 

2022 Almond Queen Karla Guijarro

 

Miss congeniality and runner up Nayeli Guillen

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

Silver Level: $500+

El Toro Meat Market
Cache Canyon River Trips

Bronze Level: $250+

Grumpy Goats Farm
Capay Organic
Carol and Freeman Barsotti
Corky’s Nuts
Jim and Deborah Durst
The Rustic BBQ
Full Belly Farm
Thaddeus & Moyra Barsotti

Contestant Sponsors: $150

RoadTrip Bar and Grill
Hog Canyon
KGBeez
The Prickly Comb

THANK YOU TO OUR ESTEEMED JUDGES:

Cheryl Young Richeal Almond Queen, 1979
Reiko Matsumura Yolo County Sheriff Deputy
Nicole Facciuto Capay Valley Native and TV Host

 

MEET THE 2022 ALMOND QUEEN PAGEANT CONTESTANTS

 

Vanessa Anaya

Vanessa Anaya lives in Winters with her parents Olegario and Maria. She has two older sisters: Joshelyn and Lupe and a younger sister: Stephanie. Vanessa plays Volleyball and is a member of the FFA, ASB, Class of 2022 Office Team and the Capay Valley Leo’s club. She is currently ASB and FFA President, Leo’s club Vice-President, and was a captain for the Varsity Volleyball team. Vanessa has won many awards including Girls State Delegate, FFA outstanding chapter president, a champion and state finalist in the 2019 Yolo County Poetry Out Loud contest and placed 5th in the FFA Agriscience Research paper out of 116 entries. In her spare time, Vanessa enjoys writing poetry and uses poetry to express herself, relieve stress and inspire others. In the future, Vanessa plans to attend a four-year university and obtain a Bachelor of Science in Human Biology. She would like to use this degree to attend medical school and become a surgeon. Vanessa is participating in the Almond Queen Pageant to combine two of the things she loves most: her hometown and public speaking. She hopes to show her community that the younger generation truly cares about the history and tradition of the Capay Valley.

Thank you to Vanessa’s sponsor: Hog Canyon Deli.


 

Karla Guijarro

Karla Guijarro lives in Esparto with her parents Nestor and Maria and she has an older brother: Nestor. She is a member of the French Club and Cheer team and plans to play golf this year. Karla is a Beekeeper for her father’s business: KGBeez and she also assists with logo design, treating the hives and Queen rearing. She has been a photographer at the trunk or treat and in 2020 was awarded Outstanding Advanced Secretary for FFA. Karla’s hobbies include traditional and digital art, listening to music and working with her dad to take care of their bees. In the future, Karla plans to attend California State University, Sacramento to get a Bachelor’s in Art. She would then like to attend Cal Arts to major in Graphic Design and use her education to become an Imagineer or animator for Disney. Karla is participating in the Almond Queen pageant to experience something new and push herself outside of her comfort zone. She hopes to grow in her public speaking skills from this experience.

Thank you to Karla’s sponsor: KG Beez


 

Nayeli Guillen

Nayeli Guillen lives in Madison with her mom, Araceli and three siblings: Dennis, Andrew, and Sophia. She is the oldest of four. Nayeli plays Basketball and Golf. She has played basketball since sixth grade but didn’t try golf until her sophomore year. She found she really enjoys Golf and continues to play both sports during the year. Academics are important to Nayeli, and she has maintained a 3.4 GPA throughout high school earning her Honor Roll. In her spare time, Nayeli enjoys writing poetry, reading romantic novels, and playing sports outside of school. These activities allow Nayeli to relax and enjoy socializing with friends and peers. In the future, she plans to attend UC Santa Barbara and major in Psychology. With this degree Nayeli would like to become a school therapist to help young children. She is participating in the Almond Queen Pageant to experience something new and exciting. Nayeli wants to push herself to try new things and gain new experiences.

Thank you to Nayeli’s sponsor: The Prickly Comb


 

Bianca Elizabeth Kruup

Bianca Elizabeth Kruup is a foreign exchange student from Estonia attending Esparto High School this year. Her mother and Father are Sirley and Rainis Kruup. Her host parent here in Esparto is Carrie Whiting. Bianca is a member of the French Club, Leo’s Club and hopes to join the National Honor Society. She is the Vice-President of the French club and has completed over 50 hours of community service for the Leo’s Club. Bianca has completed a Korean Language Course at Tallinn University, has made it to the second round of an Art Olympiad and studies six different languages. In her Spare time, Bianca enjoys Art, Linguistics, Theatre and cooking. These hobbies allow her to explore these topics in many different cultures. When Bianca graduates from Esparto High school, she will spend another year on exchange in Spain, making her the first Estonian to complete two exchange programs in a row. She will then graduate from a high school in Estonia and attend a university. Bianca would like to pursue a career in Psychology or diplomacy. Bianca is participating in the Almond Queen Pageant to broaden her knowledge of American culture and to show that anything is possible, no matter where you are from.

Thank you to Bianca’s sponsor: RoadTrip Bar and Grill.