By Brian Argabright
The 830 Times
With the arrival of October comes the annual celebration of unity and friendship between Del Rio and its sister city of Ciudad Acuña – the Fiesta de Amistad.
Throughout the month, various activities will be held on both sides of the border, but the official kickoff to the celebrations arrives Saturday with the Miss Del Rio Pageant, hosted by the International Good Neighbor Council – Del Rio Chapter.
For many years, there was just one Miss Del Rio, but in recent years the pageant was expanded to include the Miss Del Rio Teen category in addition to the traditional title. This year, the pageant’s organizers have added three more titles to the pageant – Little Miss Del Rio, Junior Miss Del Rio and Pre-Teen Miss Del Rio. The title-holders will be recognized as official ambassadors for the city of Del Rio.
The pageant will begin Saturday at 7 p.m. at the Paul Poag Theatre for the Performing Arts. This is a ticketed event. General admission tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the theater until Saturday. Tickets at the door will be $25.
The contestants for each category, and a short biography of each, is as follows. Biographies are provided by pageant organizers:
LITTLE MISS DEL RIO
Contestant 1
Kataleya Bela Reyes
Kataleya Bela Reyes entered into this world Dec. 6, 2014. She is the daughter of Mandy Salas and Jorge Reyes and currently attends first grade at Garfield Elementary. Kat is the big sister of four siblings and does an amazing job of lending a helping hand. Kat enjoys creating arts and crafts from scratch and gifting them to everyone she knows. She is a brilliant young lady that loves being challenged in math. She has a big heart for all animals and critters and loves to make them their own habitats in shoeboxes. She also enjoys going out on the lake to kayak and search for treasures with her metal detector.
Contestant 2
Alessandra Gomez Moreno
Alessandra Gomez Moreno is the seven-year-old only daughter of Juan Manuel Gomez and Mayra Ivon Moreno. She is in the second grade and attends Buena Vista Elementary School. Her paternal grandmother is Antonia Rodriguez, and her maternal grandparents are Arturo and Amelia C. Moreno Alessandra loves to go to school, her favorite subjects are science and art. Alessandra is a highly active girl; she is part of Toxic Cheer Athletic and a yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do. She is very creative and loves art. She enjoys playing golf with her Tio Alan and loves to travel. Alessandra is a very loving and caring little girl who especially loves her pets Tiger, Gordon and Marty.
Contestant 3
Leilany Flores
Leilany Flores is the six-year-old daughter of Juanita Flores and Homero Flores. She is a big sister to Juan Eduardo Flores. She is the only granddaughter to Ponciano Martinez and Cruz Irma Martinez. Leilany is a first grade student at Lonnie Green Elementary. She is a member of Rodz Dance Studio where she practices ballet, tap and jazz. In her spare time Leilany enjoys reading, doing arts and crafts and playing with her baby brother. She is fluent in English and Spanish. She can communicate in both languages with her friends at school and with her grandparents who are originally from Mexico. With an outgoing personality, she is able to make friends with everyone she meets, and she has a simile that lights up a room.
JUNIOR MISS DEL RIO
Contestant 1
Valentina Castañeda
Valentina Castañeda is nine years old and attends fourth grade at St. James Episcopal School. Her favorite things to do are reading, singing, dancing, and making jewelry for her small business. She hopes to follow her grandfather’s footsteps and one day become a doctor. Her parents are Gabriela Mendez and Eduardo Castañeda.
Contestant 2
Mariana Alexis Almeda
Mariana Alexis Almeda is the proud 10-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Miguel and Marta Almeda. She is currently a fifth grader at Garfield Elementary School. Mariana is very active in school activities and in her spare time she takes ballet /jazz classes. Mariana has a sweet soul and is always ready to help and care for her family and friends. She enjoys spending time with her family, friends and taking her annual Disney birthday vacation trip. Mariana would like to thank her family for always supporting her in all her activities, Haus of London for her beautiful pictures, and Gloria Solar. Thank you, God, for always being by Mariana’s side and guiding her in the right path.
Contestant 3
Zoey Lamar Leyendecker
Zoey Lamar Leyendecker is the daughter of Trey and Jessica Leyendecker. She is a third grader at St. James Episcopal school. She is on the A# honor roll and enjoys playing soccer, 4H shooting, baking and helping animals. Her dream is to be a veterinarian when she grows up.
MISS DEL RIO PRE-TEEN
Contestant 1
Makayla Rae Lopez
Makayla Rae Lopez is the daughter of Nufie and Kayla Rodriguez, and Ramiro and Victoria Barrera. Makayla is an eighth grader at Del Rio Middle School where she is part of the Queens volleyball team and student council. She also plays softball and basketball. She plans to attend UTSA or UT Austin to become a physical therapist. Makayla enjoys playing sports, being outdoors, values being with family and shopping with her mom and grandmother. Makayla is a young lady with a lot of heart. She is giving, caring and likes to help others.
Contestant 2
Carolyn Michelle Leija
Carolyn Michelle Leija is 13 years old and is currently attending Del Rio Middle School as an eighth grader. She is the proud daughter of Juan Antonio Leija Jr. and Angela Leija. She is currently involved in the 4-H program, and the National Junior Honor Society. Carolyn loves family gatherings and traveling. Upon completion of high school, Carolyn plans to attend Texas A&M to become a veterinarian and own her own clinic. Carolyn would like to thank God first and foremost for all the blessings and health she has been granted. She would also like to thank her mother, father and brother alongside both sets of grandparents and godparents (all family) for always being involved and supportive.
Contestant 3
Jazel Elena Sanchez
Jazel Elena Sanchez is the daughter of Joaquin Sole and Maria Elena Sanchez and the stepdaughter of Julio Cesar Mota. Jazel is an eighth-grade student and attends Bible Way Christian Academy. She is a member of the Val Verde 4-H Club and the CVV church choir. Jazel loves modeling and loves to participate in pageants. She was the first runner up of the Pre-teen category for Miss Val Verde Texas pageant. Her favorite hobbies are playing piano, singing and playing tennis. Jazel loves to volunteer her time and help her community. Her fondest wish is to one day have a platform which she can utilize to make a difference and make this world a better place. Her greatest accomplishments are accepting Christ as her Savior and getting baptized. Jazel plans to attend the University of North Texas and become a lawyer. One of Jazel’s favorite quote is from Michael Jordan “Obstacles do not have to stop you. If you run into a wall, do not turn around and give up. Climb it. Go through it or work around it.”
MISS DEL RIO TEEN
Contestant 1
Elie Abrego Zavala
Elie Abrego Zavala is the 15-year-old daughter of Jesus and Carissa Zavala, as well as big sister to two rambunctious little brothers, Jesus and Lando. As a sophomore at Del Rio High school she is currently a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, student council, GEAR UP, and is the Class of 2024 Vice President. Elie enjoys participating in numerous school activities such as UIL and S2S (student to student program). She loves playing sports such as running cross-country, basketball, and soccer. She enjoys tutoring, as well as volunteering to assist in youth sports. By working with young children, she hopes to inspire kindness and confidence. Elie is a part of the National Junior Honor Society, Million-word reader, Perfect Attendance, and All-A Honor Roll. Elie is grateful for the outpouring of support from all her friends and family. She would like to especially thank her parents for their unconditional love and her brothers for always keeping her humble and helping her strive to be a good role model.
Contestant 2
Andrea Mota
Andrea Mota is the 17-year-old daughter of Julio Mota and Nora Mandujano. She attends Del Rio High School and is a member of National Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, student council, Future Business Leaders of America and is a part of the Co-Op program where she works at San Felipe Del Rio CISD Student services. She also serves as a lector and Eucharistic Minister at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church. Her weekends consist of spending quality time with her friends and family. When she graduates, she plans to attend the University of St. Edwards at Austin and major in marketing in hopes of owning her own marketing company.
MISS DEL RIO
Contestant 1
Nayeli Duran
Nayeli Duran is the 19-year-old daughter of Jacinto and Cecilia Duran. She has received her associate’s degree in criminal justice from Southwest Texas Junior College. She plans to further her education and achieve her bachelor’s degree in forensic science in hopes of becoming a forensic psychologist. Nayeli is the middle child with two siblings – an older sister, Brenda Duran, and a younger brother, Adrian Duran. Nayeli is passionate about volleyball and has attended two national volleyball tournaments representing the state of Coahuila. Nayeli advocates for helping and feeding the homeless. The subject of homelessness is one that touches her heart dearly and she wishes nothing but to help those in need. She plans to start a donation drive to benefit our homeless citizens of our beloved Del Rio. Nayeli would like to thank her family, friends and sponsors for all the love and support she has received throughout this journey.
Contestant 2
Alyssa Isabel Sanchez
Alyssa Isabel Sanchez is the 17-year-old daughter of Gilbert and Angie Sanchez. She is the granddaughter of Odie and Dora Sanchez and the late Arturo and Rosa Padilla. She is currently a senior at Del Rio High School, taking advanced placement and dual credit college courses. She is also a former member of the award-winning Queen City Belles and the Queens softball team. Alyssa has previously reigned as queen for both the San Felipe Exes and Brown Plaza Association. She participates in the school district’s Co-Op program in the finance department and is a member of the Future Business Leaders of America. After her high school graduation, Alyssa plans to attend Texas A&M University or the University of Texas in Austin and seek a bachelor’s degree in finance to then further her career in law school. Alyssa appreciates all the support she has received, wishes everyone the best of luck and thanks God for all her continued blessings.
Contestant 3
Alexa Marie Leon
Alexa Marie Leon is the 17-year-old daughter of Sergio and Brandy Leon. She is the oldest of her four siblings, Amaris, Sophia, Olivia, and Benjamin. A senior at Del Rio High School, Alexa is currently ranked in the top 20 of her class and a member of the National Honor Society. She is also a member of the Amistad Eagles All-Star cheer team and was a D2 Summit National cheerleading champion in both 2018 and 2021. She runs cross-country for Del Rio High School and raises dorper lambs with the Val Verde 4H program. In her spare time, Alexa volunteers for the Val Verde Humanitarian Coalition, her local church, and the Wild Game Dinner. Over the years she has played the viola with her school orchestra and the bass guitar with her church band. Upon graduation, she hopes to become a college cheerleader at the University of Texas where she will pursue an undergraduate degree in environmental science. She then plans to pursue a law degree to advocate for environmental issues. Alexa would like to thank God first and foremost for allowing her so many opportunities in life, as well as her friends and family for their endless love and support.
Contestant 4
Jaclyn Isabel Adams
Jaclyn Isabel Adams is the 23-year-old daughter of Jesse and Ercilia Adams. She is currently studying interdisciplinary studies and physical education at the University of the Incarnate Word. Jaclyn would like to thank God for guidance through this journey and not only her parents and brothers, but her family and friends for their continued support.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
