Royalty all from PHS

History was made last month, when, after more than six decades the queen and her court, winners of the 2009 Veterans Homecoming Queen Pageant all came from Porterville High School.

It was quite the royal coup, according student activities coordinator Larry Herrera.

“To my knowledge that has never happened here before,” he said, smiling. “And yes, we’re very proud. They’re quite a group of girls.

They’re all very involved in community service, are excellent students and exhibit the qualities of leaders.”

And, one could add, they’re not shy.

Full of effervesces for life and intelligence, spend a few minutes with them and it quickly becomes evident that they have given more than passing thoughts to the importance of the pageant, which Third Attendant Candice Collins reminds all is not a beauty pageant.

“It’s a community pageant,” Collins said. “It’s about the veterans, not us. Whether you agree with war or not, we still have a responsibility to respect the men and women who fought for us and who fight for us and support them.”

Queen Lindsay Ames, a senior, and the rest of her court — Senior Princess Raven Kapphahn, First Attendant Bailey Marquez, Second Attendant Shiloah Gibson and Collins — had a variety of reasons for competing in the contest.

All were surprised, they said, when an unexpected benefit turned out to be increased camaraderie among them.

“I didn’t expect to win, but I ran because I love public speaking, I wanted to be more involved in the community, and I wanted to wear a pretty dress,“ Ames said, smiling with a twinkle in her eyes.

“My grandfather was a Marine, and I’ve known veterans, so this is pretty important to me.”

Gibson, a tennis player who is also celebrating Porterville High School’s Valley Team Championship, said one reason she ran is because she supports veterans.

“I wanted to support our veterans,” she said. ”I have neighbors and friends in the Air Force. And it’s a good experience to get in front of a huge crowd.”

“It was something I really wanted to do for the experience,” Kapphahn said. “I knew if I didn’t do it one day I would look back and regret it.”

Marquez was reflective: “Every since I was a little girl I was told about the Miss Porterville Pageant, so growing up I wanted to do it. I’m so glad I did.”

-- Contact Anita Stackhouse Hite at 784-5000, Ext. 1043, or astackhouse-hite@portervillerecorder.com.

Editors note: Read the complete story of Porterville’s queen and her court Wednesday, Nov. 11, in the Special Veterans Section of The Porterville Recorder.