A new opportunity and adventure awaits Riverbank High School junior Kenia Garcia after receiving a letter stating that she had been selected to participate in the 2014 Miss Teen Stockton/Sacramento pageant competition.

All candidates had to fill out an application and participate in an interview which was conducted by the Pageant Coordinator at the Hilton in Stockton. The interview process consisted of approximately five questions and from this process only certain young ladies were selected to move forward to the competition on Saturday, Nov. 22.

There are four age divisions, Miss Jr. Pre-Teen, ages 7 to 9, Miss Pre-Teen, ages 10 to 12, Miss Jr. Teen, ages 13 to 15, and Miss Teen, ages 16 to 19 which Garcia will be competing in. The three areas the contestants will be judged on is modeling casual wear and formal wear as well as demonstrating their personality and communication skills, interviewing with a Stockton/Sacramento judging panel.

For the casual wear, Garcia is planning to wear something comfortable and for the formal wear she will strut down the runway in an elegant long dress.

“They were pretty fun questions,” said Garcia. “They just told us that we had to be ourselves.”

Garcia explained that the most important thing that they will be judged on throughout the competition will be their personality.

Each contestant will compete for thousands of dollars in prizes and specialty gifts at the competition on Nov. 22.

If Garcia wins the title of Miss Teen Stockton/Sacramento 2014, she would represent Stockton/Sacramento and the surrounding communities at the National Competition that will take place in Orlando, Florida.

At the National Competition there will be over $30,000 in prizes and awards along with an expense paid trip of five nights and six days in Orlando.

“I feel pretty lucky,” expressed Garcia. “It is a one-time opportunity.”

Garcia would like any community businesses, organizations, and private individuals to consider sponsoring her for the competition so that she may receive all the necessary training, rehearsals and financial support to prepare for this year’s pageant.

Any interested party in becoming a sponsor to Garcia may contact the Miss Teen Stockton/Sacramento Pageant Coordinator at 877-403-6678.

“I am excited and at the same time nervous,” stated Garcia. “I will try to make the best out of it and have fun.”