Downtown Pomona Owners Association will organize Miss Pomona Pageant

After a two year absence, the Miss Pomona Pageant will make a come back this year with an event organized by the Downtown Pomona Owners Association.

The association announced it will take over the responsibilities of organizing the event and has set Oct. 25 as the date for the selection and coronation of the winner and her court.

Ceremonies will be at the Fox Theater, said Larry Egan, executive director of the association.

"The Miss Pomona Pageant is a very special event to many residents, and we are delighted to have the opportunity to bring this experience back," said Lorena Matarrita, co-chairwoman of the Miss Pomona Committee.

Matarrita is also a former Miss Pomona who held the title in 2004.

A combination of circumstances made it difficult for the city's Cultural Arts Commission to carry out the pageant that last two years, said Mickey Gallivan, co-chairwoman of the Miss Pomona Committee and a member of the commission.

For organizers a major element of putting on the contest is visiting schools to explain the pageant doesn't involve bathing suits, Gallivan said.

Instead the pageant is one "that is based on scholarship and community service," she said.

To run for Miss Pomona, contestants must be residents of the city who are unmarried juniors or seniors at a high school located within Pomona.

Contestants must have a 3.0 or better grade point average, be under the age of 21, have a track record of community involvement and be available to represent the city at various events.

Applications will be available through the area high schools when school begins in August.

The winner and her court will receive scholarships.

Having the association take over the pageant will help have more community groups and organizations become involved in the event, Gallivan said.

Matarrita said steps are being taken to build a show around the event that will include the performances by student groups and others.