Saylor De Abreu was crowned Ripon’s Almond Festival Queen Thursday night at the Ripon Community Center.
Savanna Mendoza was named Miss Congeniality and Elysia Medina was chosen as first runner up. She will take over as Miss Ripon 2018 if for any reason the queen is unable to complete her year.
Saylor is a junior at Ripon Christian High School. She hopes to attend a four-year college after her graduation and major in either biology or chemistry. Kate Phelps and Gianna Smith are the other princesses that will make up the royal court that will appear in Saturday’s Almond Blossom Parade at 1 p.m. in downtown Ripon.
The princesses and Miss Ripon 2017 Jessica Harlan were escorted by members of the Ripon High School JROTC.
The judges for the queen contest were Ashley Edwards, Spring Creek Golf Club administrative assistant, Jamie Eisenga, owner of Birch and Blossom Photography and Mary Everhart, program technician at Modesto Junior College.
The coronation was one of two events held Thursday night in the Ripon Community Center.  It was preceded by the annual Lions Club Spaghetti Dinner in the east side of the hall with an estimated 500 being served.

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com.