Gilroy
– Cherise Gowan dared to dream again and again, hoping that one
day she would be the Gilroy Garlic Queen. Two years later her
dreams came true – a sparkling crown was placed on her head last
weekend heralding her reign as the 2007 Gilroy Garlic Queen.
Gilroy – Cherise Gowan dared to dream again and again, hoping that one day she would be the Gilroy Garlic Queen. Two years later her dreams came true – a sparkling crown was placed on her head last weekend heralding her reign as the 2007 Gilroy Garlic Queen.
“This whole thing has really been a journey for me,” said Gowan, a Gilroy resident who was runner up in the competition last year. “This is my third year running for queen.”
The 29th annual Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen Pageant is a scholarship pageant that took place Saturday at the Gavilan College theater.
The Garlic Queen is more than a title. The winner serves as the ambassador of the city’s internationally renowned Garlic Festival. She leads a contingent to Takko Macchi, Japan each year and attends various community events throughout the year to promote the festival.
Gowan competed against five other girls in this year’s pageant. Diane Briones, Adrianna Copado, Brittney Jeske, Uilanikuulei Kaanapu, and Madelon Thomas also gave speeches, showcased talents, and modeled evening gowns on stage. The contestants were judged by a panel of five judges who included Lauretta Avina, Larry Cope, Barbara DeLorenzo, Karen La Corte, Donna Pray, and Bruce Williams.
The girls were judged on personal interviews, talents, speeches and evening gowns. The evening gown competition also included a random on-stage question to test the woman’s improvisational skills.
Madelon Thomas was first runner up and Diane Briones was second runner up.
“This was a really great experience,” said Thomas, a Gilroy native. “I enjoyed getting to know all the girls.”
Topics for the garlic speech ranged from Garlic History 101 to “hard knock life,” where the girls are expected to show their knowledge on garlic. The talent portions ranged from hip-hop to hula dancing.
At the end of the show, the 2006 Garlic Queen Sheena Torres bade farewell by singing “At Last,” by Etta James, and ending with a slideshow of her ventures and accomplishments as garlic queen.
Some photos included her trip to Japan and the fun she had at last year’s Garlic Festival.
“I know Cherise will do a great job,” said Torres. “She’s been participating for (several) years, and I know she will be able to fill the shoes and represent Gilroy and the Garlic Festival.”
The contestants received scholarships for their efforts, including one in memory of Franca Barsi, a past Gilroy Garlic Queen that was murdered last year. The scholarship was presented by Barsi’s older sister Lauretta Avina, herself a garlic queen pageant in 1983.
“It is with great sadness that I and my mother present a memorial scholarship in memory of my sister,” she said.
“Twenty-one years ago, my family and I sat out in the audience,” said Avina, referring to 1986, the year her sister won the pageant. The scholarship honoring Barsi went to Diane Briones, third runner up in this year’s competition.
After the scholarship presentations and speeches, the girls’ family and friends came on stage for hugs and pictures.
“This was just a fun kickoff, and now we’re in mode for the festival,” said Judy Lazarus, the new Gilroy Garlic Festival President. “I’m excited for Cherise because this is her third time trying, and I’m happy that she gets a chance to be queen.”
Gowan smiled as her friends and family members congratulated her. It was the moment she was waiting for.
“I get to go to Japan!” she said.
