Maira Ortega is one of 10 Ripon high school juniors – nine from Ripon High and one from Ripon Christian – vying for the Almond Blossom Queen’s crown next month at the Almond Blossom Festival.

She is a junior at Ripon High and the daughter of Marcos Arroyo and Griselda Garcia.  Three words used to describe her personality are “ambitious, compassionate and trustworthy.”

At Ripon High Oretga is involved in Estudiantes Unidos, Dance Club and the Ripon Vocational Leadership Academy. She also volunteers with her church youth group.  

Her hobbies, talents and special interests include receiving the Pathway to Bi-literacy Award, various honor rolls, citizenship awards and athletic awards in soccer and competition track awards.  She says she loves to dance run, study medicine, be involved in investigations, and makeup art and modeling. 

The 57th annual Almond Blossom Festival is Feb. 22-24. It includes vendors, a carnival, parade, fun run, diaper derby and associated community events in addition to the crowning of the Almond Blossom Festival queen who will serve as Miss Ripon. For more details on the Ripon Chamber of Commerce event go to riponchamber.org/news_events.