2023 Almond Queen Rubi Luna Avina

First Runner Up
Xitlalitl Navarro

Miss Congeniality
Alexa Gonzalez

Alexis Carpenter

Alexis Carpenter lives in Esparto with her parents Brian and Amy Carpenter. She has two sisters: Kayla and Brooke. Alexis is a member of Junior State of America and Leo’s club, she plays Volleyball and Softball and takes Basketball stats. Alexis has earned many awards such as MVP and Captain in Volleyball, Culinary Food Truck Shift Manager and Honor Roll. In the future, Alexis plans to attend Woodland Community College and enroll in the EMT Program. She would like to gain experience in the medical field, while going to school to become a nurse. It is Alexis’ goal to become a traveling nurse. In her spare time, she enjoys playing sports, taking care of her many animals and volunteering in her community. Alexis is participating in the Almond Queen pageant because community involvement is very important to her and she doesn’t want to miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to represent Esparto and the Capay Valley. She hopes to inspire future seniors to step out of their comfort zones and participate in the pageant just as she is doing this year.

Thank you to Alexis’ sponsor: Julie Farnham and Family

Alexa Gonzalez Jimenez

Alexa Gonzalez Jimenez lives in Madison with her parents Alejandro and Ana. She has two siblings: Andrea and Monserrat. Alexa is a cheerleader and is a member of the Leo’s and Spanish Clubs, FFA and Associated Student Body. She is currently the treasurer for the Leo’s Club, has a 4.0+ GPA, and is a Varsity Cheer Captain. Alexa was Junior Class President and earned Scholar Athlete in Cheer. She participates in many community events, helps to plan Prom and Homecoming, and works to promote cultural awareness on campus. In her spare time, Alexa enjoys reading, Arts & Crafts, and spending time with her family. Fictional books, DIY projects and exploring new places with her family are some of her favorite activities.  In the future, Alexa plans to attend a four-year university and plans to major in pharmaceutical sciences. She aspires to have a career in medicine and would like to give back to small communities like ours. She would also like to travel and learn about different cultures and customs from around the world. Alexa is participating in the Almond Queen Pageant to represent her community in a positive way, have a once in a lifetime experience and gain more confidence in herself.  

Thank you to Alexa’s sponsor: RoadTrip Bar & Grill

McKenna Hall

McKenna Hall lives in Rumsey with her parents Jeffery and Jennifer. She has 2 older brothers: Zac and Bryson and an older sister: Savannah. McKenna is a member of 4-H, JSA, FFA, the Leo’s Club and French Club. She plays Volleyball, Basketball and Softball. McKenna has earned student of the month award, FFA Greenhand, Market ready award and many others in Volleyball, Basketball and Softball. In the future, McKenna plans to attend Butte Community College and transfer to Penn State after 2 years. She would like to become a pediatric surgeon and work with premature babies. McKenna has the goal of being at the top of her class in Medical School and providing the very best care for her patients. In her spare time, she enjoys playing sports to keep herself in shape and finds a creative outlet in painting and drawing. McKenna is participating in the Almond Queen pageant because she was born and raised in the valley and would like to represent the whole Capay Valley. Her mom and aunts also participated in the pageant, and she would like to continue the family tradition.

Thank you to McKenna’s sponsor: Guinda Corner Store

Rubi Luna

Rubi Luna lives in Madison with her parents Tino and Isabel Luna and siblings: Angelica, Cristal, and Julieta. Rubi is a member of the Leo’s club and is a Varsity Cheerleader. She is active in her community and volunteers at the Madison Food Distribution Center. Rubi helps to package and deliver food to residents who cannot get to the center. She was Freshman class president, has earned most improved and Scholar athlete in Cheer and is also a captain. Rubi is very devoted to her academics and has maintained a 4.0+ GPA throughout high school. In her Spare time, Rubi enjoys hanging with friends and family, listening to music, and coloring. She is currently trying to learn to cook and trying new recipes. In the future, Rubi would like to become a nurse as well as travel to experience different cultures. She is participating in the Almond Queen Pageant to prove to herself that she can try new things and be successful. Rubi grew up watching the Miss Universe Pageant and hopes to present herself with as much confidence, determination and intelligence as those women have.  

Thank you to Rubi’s sponsor: Savory Cafe

Elena Mendez-Casas

Elena Mendez-Casas lives in Esparto. Her parents are Hector and Jessica Casas. She has two brothers, Hector and Emilio and one sister, Alicia. Elena is a member of FFA, Cheer, Skills USA, AVID, Spanish Club and Culinary. She has been awarded the Patriot Award, an acknowledgment of responsibility. Elena has also been named Employee of the Month. In the future, Elena plans to attend Woodland Community College and major in Early Childhood Development. With this degree she would like to become a Pre-School teacher and one day open her own daycare center.  She has always enjoyed working with children and is excited to make it her career. Elena’s hobbies include reading and cooking. Even though cooking can be messy, it calms Elena and reading helps her to escape from the stress of everyday life. Elena is participating in the pageant to ease into public speaking and push herself to do something she never thought she would.

Thank you to Elena’s sponsor: DapIt.

Xitlalitl Navarro

Xitlalitl Navarro lives in Esparto. Her parents are Leticia Figueroa and Jesus Navarro. Xitlalitl siblings are Eric and Nicole. Xitlalitl is a member of the Associated Student Body, FFA, Leo’s Club, Spanish Club, Junior State of America and the National Honor Society. She plays Varsity Soccer and is a member of the Early Academic Outreach Program/Fellowship. She has earned a 4.0+ GPA, FFA “Best in Blooms” award, and was a Girls State Delegate. Xitlalitl is very active in her community. She is a part of the Christmas Tree lighting committee, Esparto children’s shopping day, YMCA swim instructor and the Leo’s club community dinner distribution. In her Spare time, Xitlalitl enjoys running, playing soccer, doing yoga, making floral arrangements, and eating ice cream. After high school, she plans on attending a four-year university and majoring in Political Science. She would then like to attend law school and become a defense attorney. Xitlalitl is participating in the Almond Queen Pageant because growing up she always admired the Almond Queen and what the pageant represents in the valley, which inspired her to compete.

Thank you to Xitlalitl’s sponsor: Hog Canyon Deli

Brenda Villegas-Campos

Brenda Villegas-Campos lives in Esparto with her parents Bertha and Candido Villegas. Brenda’s siblings are Denise, Rafael, and Daniela. Brenda is a member of the FFA, is Senior Class Secretary, Cheers and plays Soccer and Softball. She was crowned the 2022 Homecoming Queen, earned Honor Roll, Scholar Athlete and Most Improved in Softball. She volunteered at the RISE afterschool program and was a summer school aid for EUSD.  In her Spare time, Brenda enjoys reading as it allows her to escape reality and view the world through a different perspective. She also enjoys playing sports and has done so since she was 9 years old. After high school, she plans on attending a four-year university to become a speech pathologist. She hopes to set a good example for her younger siblings and be there for them in any way she can. Brenda is participating in the Almond Queen Pageant because she has always wanted to be in one and is excited to participate in something she will never have the chance to do again.

Thank you to Brenda’s sponsor: El Toro Meat Market and Taqueria.