Jessica Brewka has just one year to be queen and she’s going to
make the most of it.
Jessica Brewka has just one year to be queen and she’s going to make the most of it.
The 22-year-old spent the last month meeting the people of Gilroy in local parades, luncheons and breakfasts, and it’s only built up anticipation for the Gilroy Garlic Festival later this month.
“I’m really excited,” she said.
Brewka just graduated from the University of San Francisco in May with a major in English and a minor in criminal justice. This fall she will be balancing her garlicky duties with graduate school at Santa Clara University.
“The toughest part is there’s just so many great past queens,” she said. “I have an entire year to do something great with the position”
But Brewka already has plans. She wants to use her court position to start a mentoring program at public schools so more local students attend college, she said.
Although Brewka did not attend high school locally and never volunteered at the festival through her school, she has loved going to the festival as a visitor. Last year she was a princess of the court and made friends in the court – especially Toni Eves.
“The reason we decided to do it this year is you make so many friends and on top of that my sister got to do it,” she said. Jessica Brewka’s sister, Julia Brewka, is now a princess in the court.
Despite the fact that she will have to be on her feet all day for three days, Jessica Brewka is counting down the days to the festival.
“I’m looking forward to the food to be quite honest,” she said. She plans to eat her festival favorites, including stuffed mushrooms, calamari and garlic ice cream.
And that she gets to share her love of the festival with other people makes it all the better.
“I guess that’s the most exciting part – being part of the face of the festival,” she said.
