NEW QUEEN SCHEHERAZADE CROWNED
New court to reign as ambassadors of Fair

Names, left to right:
Princess Dunyazade: Brandy Briones
Queen Scheherazade: Amber Amaya
Princess Jasmine: Ambry Alday

On Saturday evening, November 21, 2009, the Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival held the Queen Scheherazade Scholarship Pageant, sponsored by the City of Indian Wells at the Fairgrounds in Indio. The Fullenwider Auditorium was transformed into a scene out of the 1001 Arabian Nights, as three young women were chosen to represent the Fair as the Queen and her Court.

Eleven young ladies competed for their chance to be crowned queen; scholarship amounts range from $3,000 to $3,500. The ladies were previously interviewed by judges in an elimination round in October and during the Pageant gave a speech in business attire, and answered questions in evening gowns and in traditional Arabian costumes. The 2010 court winners are Amber Amaya for Queen Scheherazade, Brandy Briones for Princess Dunyazade, and Ambry Alday for Princess Jasmine.

Amber is a senior at Indio High School where she maintains a 4.45 GPA and serves as Editor in Chief of the Yearbook. She is ranked 5th in her class and has received numerous honors and awards. A senior at Norco High School, Brandy maintains a 4.61 GPA. She is on the Varsity Volleyball and Track & Field Teams. Ambry is a senior at Cathedral City High School, where she is a member of the Soccer, Golf, Tennis & Track teams, while maintaining a 4.31 GPA. She has also volunteered at Eisenhower Hospital for over 300 hours.

The new Queen and her Court will reign as ambassadors for the Riverside County Fair & National Date Festival, their duties will include promoting the Fair at various City Council meetings, parades and other special appearances leading up to the Fair, February 12-21, 2010. For more information about the Fair, call 1-800-811-FAIR.