For Tiffani Petersen, a third-time pageant competitor departing
her aromatic hometown next fall for California State University,
Fresno, being crowned the 2011 Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen is
a sweet send-off.
For Tiffani Petersen, a third-time pageant competitor departing her aromatic hometown next fall for California State University, Fresno, being crowned the 2011 Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen is a sweet send-off.
“This is my last year having the ability to do the pageant, and I really want the last year to count,” she said prior to the event. “As the queen you’re able to be an ambassador for the city; you represent not only at the festival as a spokesperson but also everything that goes into Gilroy, and I really take that title very seriously.”
Saturday’s pageant at Gavilan College Theater showcased an amusing gamut of multifaceted talent and poise – from Megan Griffin’s “Funny Girl” cameo, to Heather Brodersen’s scheming “Clovella Deville” to Alex Guiza’s vampire-hunting vixen in the paranormal unit who combats the undead.
For the seven young women vying for the crown, Saturday morning commenced with personal interviews by a panel of judges, followed by hair and makeup before gliding out on stage at 4 p.m. in front of an expectant crowd.
After titles were announced, scintillating tiaras bobby-pinned in place and bouquets of flowers laid in the arms of each contestant, parents and family swarmed to the stage as the queen and her court posed patiently for photos.
Petersen’s grandmother, Cynthia Cordova, met her granddaughter with a hug while blinking back tears of pride.
First runner-up Toni Eves, recipient of two scholarships and the only competitor besides Petersen who has participated on three occasions, was also greeted by a personal cheer squad of friends and relatives.
“This was the absolute best I’ve ever done,” said the 22-year-old, smiling and statuesque in a strapless, floor-length candy apple red dress.
Her fortitude and post-pageant relief significantly contrasted the anxiety that had been building up days earlier.
“I’m more stressed about getting everything together. I don’t feel as prepared as I have in the past. There’s more on the line this time. I am nervous, and a little stressed,” she said in a previous phone conversation.
Along with her peers, Eves had to meticulously prep to be judged on a handful of criteria.
Master of Ceremonies George Minerva explained 40 percent of a contestant’s score is based on the personal interview, 20 percent on talent, 20 percent on a garlic-themed speech and 20 percent on the evening gown.
For the speech portion, participants creatively interwove garlic city dogma with an engaging skit or presentation.
One of the evening’s highlights was Petersen channeling the iconic spirit of a sports coach, rallying her team with a hearty pre-Garlic Festival pep talk.
“Christopher – I know you’re out there, I know you’re our MVP this year, and I’m counting on you to grow that garlic. Grow that garlic like you’ve never grown it before.”
For her talent Petersen executed a graceful rifle routine, twirling and flipping her prop with finesse to “The Way You Look Tonight.”
Petersen said she’s been instructing the color guard at Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill for three years; a niche specialty that runs in the family.
“My mom did it when she was at Live Oak in ’86,” she said.
Adroitness with a rifle might come in handy for Petersen, who plans on studying law enforcement when she moves to Fresno.
For Alex Guiza’s speech, the 17-year-old from San Benito High School put on the suave persona of secret agent No. 33.
“Our agency has been protecting since summer of 1979,” she said, staring at the crowd through a pair of dark shades. “Garlic is stronger than crucifixes and holy water.”
She flashed one side of a black trench coat lined with an arsenal of garlic braids.
First runner-up Eves staged a whimsical parody of CBS’s “The Amazing Race,” complete with a cardboard standup of her partner “Herbie” the garlic clove.
Griffin, the pageant’s second runner-up who attends Archbishop Mitty High School and has a theater background, went all-out in the costume department by donning a soldier girl outfit and belting out a number from “Funny Girl.”
For her speech, “Ignorance is Bliss,” Griffin wore a garlic clove dress while theatrically depicting her first experience meandering through the Garlic Festival.
“Now I know how a turkey feels at Thanksgiving!” she squealed.
Earlier backstage several ladies admitted they had some pre-pageant jitters, but confidence masked the nervousness as they sauntered on stage in glimmering gowns with upbeat music pulsing in the background.
Melissa Davis, a 19-year-old Gavilan student whose future goals include becoming a singer on Broadway or an advertising executive, pitched a sales spiel for the “Little Stinker Survival Kit.”
Her bargain box included tickets to the Garlic Festival, a fact sheet, sunglasses and sunscreen, a Gilroy-themed CD with 33 songs, a garlic bobble head and breath mints – “because no one is going to want to kiss you without them.”
Later, Davis said she messed up in her speech a little, but felt she did “good” overall – especially after walking away with two scholarships.
To mentally prepare for her on-the-spot random question in front of the judging panel, Petersen did her homework by marinating in Garlic Capital insight.
“I did loads of research, purchased books, talked to locals and went over garlic trivia every day in my head,” she said, adjusting the sparkling tiara perched atop her half-up, half-down hairdo.
“It was like studying for a test. I wanted to really know the answers to questions.”
When Minerva announced the new 2011 Garlic Queen and Petersen’s name reverberated through the speakers, the crowd let loose with whistles and cheering while 2010 Garlic Queen Lauren Iwanaga greeted Petersen with a crown and purple sash.
As Pageant Chair Alannah Radtke placed an exotic floral arrangement filled with Pink Stargazer Lilies in the new queen’s lap, Peterson’s facial expression was one of surprise.
The title of “Garlic Festival Queen” has a number of perks, including a $1,000 scholarship and a trip to Gilroy’s sister city in Takko-Machi, Japan. Christopher Ranch also sweetened the deal with a $2,500 award.
As she congregated post-pageant behind the curtains, the lively 18-year-old Heather Brodersen said she couldn’t be more pleased to be voted “Miss Congeniality” by her running mates.
“That’s the one that I wanted!” she chirped. “My goals were accomplished.”
Brodersen was toting her favorite high heels and a complimentary basket filled with hair goodies and body washes – a special bonus specifically awarded to Miss Congeniality.
“Is this garlic shampoo?” she mused half-jokingly, poking through the goods.
Brodersen said at first she was worried there might be competitive tension between the ladies, but said nothing of the sort ever manifested.
Her fellow contestants were quick to refute any traces of stereotypical pageant cattiness, offering positive kudos to one another. Eves reiterated the Garlic Queen Pageant is not a beauty pageant – rather a positive forum for Gilroy to advertise proactively through talented young women willing to take on the task of city ambassador, role model and community leader.
“I don’t think that any of the girls are beauty queen obsessed or anything like that. All the girls are really down to earth,” she said.
Petersen and her court will represent the Garlic Festival Association in press, radio, television and stage appearances to promote and publicize the festival.
After the outpouring of congratulations had simmered down, Petersen, who was getting ready to depart for dinner with her court, was still on cloud nine.
“I’m in shock right now,” she said, glowing in a silky lemon-hued gown. “I know how much I wanted it, but reality hasn’t sunk in.”
View more photos of the Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen Pageant at our
