By Louis Zylka
The 830 Times
The first official pageant of 2026, the Miss Del Rio Pageant, was held on Friday evening at the
Enchanted Event Center.
The pageant was funded by the International Good Neighbor Council (IGNC) of Del Rio and
was hosted by mistresses of ceremony Michelle Gonzalez and Esme Esparza.
Families and friends of the 12 contestants who entered the pageant were presented with an
evening of dance performances from the girls competing for the title of Miss Del Rio and other
titles, along with additional performances from Bella Dominguez.
During the middle of the pageant, Andrew Scarbo, the current president of the IGNC of Del Rio,
talked more about the pageant and said the Miss Del Rio Pageant is a “scholarship pageant,”
using money raised from the IGNC’s Annual Wine and Cheese Fundraiser event held during the
spring.
“I’m very honored to be here. It is very emotional to see how the pageant has grown over the
past few years,” Scarbo said.
The event ended with the awards bestowed on the chosen delegates. Best-in-Interview was
awarded to Tiana Perez, Best-in-Fitness Wear was awarded to Reyna Salazar, and the Best-in
Evening Wear was awarded to AnaCamila Martinez.
The people’s choice award went to Audrey Benavides, and Miss Photogenic was awarded to
Naomi Cepeda.
The following title winners announced represent the official 2026 Miss Del Rio court and will be
the faces of the city’s community throughout the year during various events. The title of Miss Del
Rio 2026 and the Miss Del Rio crown was awarded to Jazel Sanchez, the 2026 Miss Del Rio
Princess title went to Sian Kamila Meza, and the 2026 Duchess title was awarded to Hailey
Alonso. Vianka Diaz was crowned Miss Congeniality.
Gonzalez called on the pageant’s co-directors, Claudia Lopez and Esparza, to recognize them
for their endless hours of hard work and dedication to “reinvent the pageant journey” for the
annual event.
Adding a new tradition, Gonzalez, Lopez and Esparza introduced a velvet cape designed as a
new feature to the pageant. Gonzalez said the cape represents “the protection and grace (Miss
Del Rio) offers to her community.” Sanchez then wore the cape, along with her crown and
pageant sash, and walked around the ballroom area to greet audience members as the new
Miss Del Rio titleholder.
Afterward, Sanchez and the other Miss Del Rio 2026 delegates took pictures with their friends
and families who attended the pageant. Sanchez spoke with The 830 Times in between taking
pictures and expressed her feelings on being crowned Miss Del Rio 2026.
“I feel great. I feel so grateful that my friends and family are here. I feel so blessed to have a
family (and friends) supporting me today,” Sanchez said.
