Region’s young women showcased at Miss Merced County 2022 event. See who was crowned
The 47th annual Miss Merced County Scholarship Program was held on Nov. 5 at Buhach Colony High School and five women were crowned in front of a crowd of family and friends.
There were a total of three competitors for Miss Merced County, three for Miss Merced County’s Outstanding Teen and 15 for open competition titles of Miss Sierra Nevada, Miss Yosemite Valley and Miss Yosemite Valley’s Outstanding Teen.
The open titles provide an opportunity for young women to compete who have already won their local title or come from a county where there is no local competition.
The new title holders are:
Miss Merced County - Ananya Veerapaneni (UC Merced student)
Miss Merced County’s Outstanding Teen - Siya Lakireddy (Golden Valley High School student)
Miss Yosemite Valley (Open Competition) - Mackenzie Starnes
Miss Sierra Nevada (Open Competition) - Emma Gerson
Miss Yosemite Valley’s Outstanding Teen (Open Competition) - Keira Bixler
The Miss Merced County competition operates under the Miss America Organization and the five women crowned at the event will travel to Visalia in June and compete for the title of Miss California and Miss California’s Outstanding Teen 2023.
Girls between the ages of 13 and 18 can compete for Miss Merced County’s Outstanding Teen, 18 and 26 for Miss Merced County and they must be Merced, Mariposa, Madera or Stanislaus County residents, attend school or work in Merced County.
The competition includes an interview with a panel of selectors, an on-stage talent, on-stage question and red carpet/evening wear. The teen competition also includes a fitness and life-style portion.
The winners earn scholarships ranging from $200 to $500 to further their academic career. In addition to the scholarships, one local candidate receives the Friendship Award which is voted on by the candidates. This candidate receives a $150 cash award which has been donated by the Olivarez-Kidwell family. The Friendship Award went to Ananya Veerapaneni.
A new scholarship was added this year that went to the local candidate with the highest interview score. Linda Dash donated $200 towards this scholarship and the recipient was Ananya Veerapaneni.
