As a lifelong Ripon resident, getting to see behind the scenes wasn’t what Molly Ysit is going to miss when she surrenders her crown this evening as the outgoing Miss Ripon.

The people, however, are a different story.

For the Ripon High School senior, having to walk away from the people that she has gotten to work closely with during her year will be the challenging part.

“I think I’m definitely going to miss how close I am now with the community and getting to attend all of the events,” Ysit said. “I’ve gotten to know so many community members and people that contribute to making Ripon the community that it is, and I will miss working with them regularly.”

For the last 12 months, Ysit has represented the Ripon Chamber of Commerce and the city at events, festivals, and parades – building relationships with people that will last her a lifetime.

For the last several weeks that has meant getting to know the candidates that are currently vying for the title and serving in a capacity as an advisor and guide for the young women as they navigate unfamiliar waters – something that she remembers vividly.

Tackling that role, Ysit said, has been one the great thrills of the entire experience – providing a voice of calm and a reassuring tone when the nerves begin to creep up in the candidates.

“Last year Saylor (De Abreu) was so kind to all of us – we were so nervous at events and she was such a reassuring presence,” Ysit said. “I’m trying to be the same for the girls this year – to show them that it isn’t as scary as it seems.

“She was such a tremendous role model for all of us when we were in that position, and I’m trying to fill that same role and position this year to make the experience a great one for the girls that are participating.”

The daughter of Mario and Cami Ysit, Molly is working now to finish up her senior year before leaving for Boise State University where she will major in general health science with ambitions of becoming a nurse.

While she’ll be venturing far away from home for her college education, Ysit said that her summer visit to Boise reminded her a lot of where she grew up and that played a heavy factor in her decision to attend school there.

“I fell in love with the campus – it’s a bigger city but it still has a small town feel and that reminded me a lot of Ripon,” Ysit said. “This has been a great place to live and to grow up and I’m looking forward to the next chapter in my life.”

As for the young woman that will take her place on Thursday, Ysit has only one important piece of advice – take it all in while you still have the opportunity.

Time, she said, moves quickly when you’re doing things as Miss Ripon, and there isn’t anything that you’re going to want to miss.

“My advice to whoever comes after me is to be yourself and embrace that the time that you have – it goes faster than you could ever believe,” she said. “Have confidence and go out there and make the connects even if it seems intimidating.

“Whoever is chosen will be more than deserving and can do anything that they want to do – they just have do it.”

The successor to Ysit will be crowned at the annual Almond Queen Coronation Ceremony tonight at 7 o’clock at the Ripon Community Center – located at 334 4th Street. For additional information visit the Ripon Chamber of Commerce’s website at www.riponchamber.org.

To contact reporter Jason Campbell email jcampbell@mantecabulletin.com or call 209.249.3544.