Five Wapato High School seniors will compete for the annual title of Miss Wapato on Saturday, Sept. 4.
The pageant is part of the 70th annual Wapato Harvest Days celebration. The contestants seeking the 2010 Miss Wapato title are: Victoria Garza, Alina Gutierrez, Lizette Melendez, Megan Lopez and Liset Vaca.
Three pageant judges will score each candidate in several areas during Saturday evening’s program. Prior to the actual competition on Saturday, each candidate was required to complete a community service project, submit a written biography and take part in a personal interview. To start the evening, the five contestants will perform an opening fitness routine based on this year’s theme, “Around the World in a Day.”
The opening number will be followed by an evening gown competition, a question and answer segment, a talent segment and poise and appearance. The candidate’s total score will also include a scoring based on the number of tickets each girl sold for the annual festival.
The winner of pageant will represent the community at various local events along with serving as an ambassador at out-of-town functions during the coming year.
The new Miss Wapato will make her first official appearance during the Wapato Fall Festival parade on Monday, Sept. 6.
The five candidates are:
• Candidate One:
Victoria Garza, 18 is the daughter of Edward and Eleanor Garza. She maintains a 3.0 grade point average while participating in FFA, MECHA, and soccer. She is also manager for the wrestling team and has served on the basketball concession stand committee. Following high school she plans to Attend Washington State University to become a veterinarian.

Candidate Two
• Alina Gutierrez, 18 is the daughter Mary Serna and Alfonso Gutierrez
She has a 3.0 grade point average at Wa Hi and is involved in tennis, volleyball, basketball, is the manager for the boys basketball team, participates in TATU, SADD, FFA floriculture, livestock judging and lamb production.

• Candidate 3
Lizette Melendez, 17, is the daughter of Santa Elizabeth and Blas Melendez.
While maintaining a 3.7 grade point average at Wapato High, she also participates in
basketball, volley and tennis and is a member of the Letterman’s Club, Family Career and Community Leaders of American, Science and Engineering and is the 2011 Senior Class president.
Following high school, she plans to attend the University of Washington or Eastern Washington University and pursue a career in medicine.

• Candidate Four
Megan Lopez, 17, is the daughter of Lupe and Tammy Lopez.
She has a 3.85 grade point average. She is involved in Teens Against Tobacco Use, Science and Engineering Club, MESA Honors courses, National Honor Society pep band, jazz band, volleyball, golf and cheerleading.
Following graduation she plans to attend college and pursue a degree in political science and government.

• Candidate Five
Liset Vaca, 17, is the daughter of Juana and Sijifredo Vaca
She maintains a 3.49 grade point average at Wapato High, while participating in
FFA, MECHA, Art Club, YV-Tech ambassador, ASB representative Art Club, and serves as an ambassador for YV-Tech.
Her career goal is to attend the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Los Angeles and to someday create her own line of clothing.