When Saylor De Abreu heard her name called at the Almond Blossom Queen Coronation ceremony last year, she almost didn’t believe her ears.

Being crowned Miss Ripon – and taken on the whirlwind, year-long tour of chamber events and social functions – was the furthest thing from her mind when she signed up to participate in the annual rite-of-passage.

But now, looking back on the experiences that she has had and the people that she has met, De Abreu isn’t sure that she wants to surrender the crown and all of the fun that comes along with it.

“Wearing the crown – definitely the thing that I’m going to miss most,” the Ripon Christian senior said with a chuckle. “But in all seriousness, you meet a lot of amazing people and get to do so many amazing things, and that’s what I’m really going to miss next week when I turn the crown over to the next young lady.

“It’s been an amazing experience, and it’s something that I never would have expected and will never forget.”

While she hopes to be studying at Vanguard University or another school in Southern California by this time next year, De Abreu – who plays golf and tennis for Ripon Christian and is very active in the drama department – said that she’ll be better off in her academic pursuits having picked up practical skills that participating in the Almond Queen Court provided her.

From speaking in front of groups of people to being able to effectively communicate in a one-on-one setting, De Abreu said that being Miss Ripon has honed her ability to talk to people and opened her eyes to the community that she feels lucky enough to call home.

“I feel like I have been blessed that I have been able to do this – that God has put me in this town and in this position,” she said. “I’m so blessed that I’ve had these opportunities, and this chance to play a role in something that’s so significant in this town’s history.

“I didn’t grow up here like some of the other girls did, so it really allowed me to develop an appreciation for Ripon and the people that live here.”

The daughter of Ralph and Melody De Abreu, Saylor will formally relinquish her title tonight in a ceremony very similar to the one that she said was one of the most shocking moments of her young life – giving her the chance to offer some words of encouragement and wisdom to whoever steps into the position.

While she wishes that she could do it for another year, De Abreu said that she’s confident that whoever assumes the title will do it the justice that it deserves – and have a wonderful time in the process.

“When you first get crowned you think about how you have a whole year and there are so many things that you have to do, but it goes by so quickly – faster than you can realize,” she said. “So my advice to whoever gets crowned next week is to just take it all in.

“Enjoy the moments while you have them because they’re gone before you know it.”

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