Junior Orange Bowl Royal Court begins its reign

BY CHRISTINA MAYO
THE MIAMI HERALD

Congratulations to the newest members of the Junior Orange Bowl Royal Court, a community honor for over half a century. Emma Gillian, an eighth grader at Trail Middle School, is the 63rd Junior Orange Bowl Queen. Joining her are Princesses Isabella Morales, a seventh grader at Westwood Christian School, and Rebekah Gadea, who is in eighth grade at Palm Springs Middle School.

The girls will serve as volunteers and goodwill ambassadors at the 2014-15 Junior Orange Bowl Festival events and will ride on The Royal Court Float at the 66th Junior Orange Bowl Parade in downtown Coral Gables in November. The newest title of Little Sister was given this year to Gwendolyn Odin, a sixth grader at Miami Springs Middle School. This award is presented to an 11-year-old girl to help her gain confidence to possibly serve as a future Junior Orange Bowl Queen or Princess.

The announcement festivities took place at the Rebeca Sosa Theater in Miami Springs after a series of competitions around South Florida. The Queen, Princesses, and Little Sister are chosen based on personality, poise, and enthusiasm to be involved in the community. All the girls who participated in the search are invited to The Queens Ball at the Biltmore Hotel.

“I am looking forward to a wonderful year with our new Royal Court,” said Royal Court Chair Isa Goenaga. “They are a very smart and beautiful group and possess the qualities of leadership and service to the community that we look for. I am confident that as our young ambassadors, they will represent the Junior Orange Bowl well and make us all very proud.” This year’s judges were Sandy Muller of the Sandy Muller Cancer Foundation, Dr. Anthony Gonzalez, chief of surgery at Baptist Hospital, and Jorge Esteban, owner of Pageant Smart Coaching.

The Junior Orange Bowl is about to begin its 66th festival season for youth with numerous athletic, academic, and cultural events. Volunteers produce all the events. To learn how to become part of the Junior Orange Bowl team, call 305-662-1210 or email jobc@jrorangebowl.org. You can also isit www.jrorangebowl.org for more.