Miss Pomona Pageant coronation scheduled

The 2010 Miss Pomona Scholarship Pageant coronation ceremony is quickly approaching.

The ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. Jan. 23 at the Pomona Masonic Lodge, 395 S. Thomas St.

Admission to the ceremony is free and open to the public.

A total of 22 qualified young women submitted applications seeking to be the next Miss Pomona, said Larry Egan, executive director of the Downtown Pomona Owners Association, which is organizing the event.

The number of applicants is the highest submitted in at least a decade, said Mickey Gallivan, co-chairwoman of the Miss Pomona Committee.

"I was very impressed with the quality of applicants," said Gallivan, who has been involved with the pageant in the past.

The committee reviewed the applications last month looking at young women's academic performance, school and community involvement and their responses to three essay questions, Gallivan said.

From that pool a group of applicants have been invited to interview, starting next week, with members of the committee.

Committee members include representatives of the Association, elected officials, past Miss Pomona title holders and community members, Gallivan said.

After the interviews three finalists will be selected and will be asked to deliver a speech before a panel of judges during the Jan. 23 ceremony.

The new Miss Pomona will be crowned at that ceremony, Gallivan said.

The newly crowned Miss Pomona and her court of two princesses will be awarded scholarships.

Scholarship sponsorship opportunities are still available, Egan said.

For sponsorship opportunities call the Association at 909-469-1121.