The Manteca Youth Focus presents the 2009 Teen Manteca Scholarship Competition on Saturday, March 7, at 10 a.m.

The competition for the titles of Miss Teen Manteca and Teen Manteca City Ambassador will be held at Cornerstone Community Church located at 17900 Comconex Road in Manteca. Miss Teen Manteca 2009 Myklyn Balmut and Teen Manteca City Ambassador 2009 Tyler Scott will pass the torch of leadership on to two new individuals as part of the 2009 Teen Manteca Scholarship Competition.

One young man and four young women ages 13 to 15 have stepped forward to accept the honor and challenge of serving as Teen Manteca City Ambassador 2009 and Miss Teen Manteca 2009. They are also competing for their share in over $700 of scholarships to be awarded through the annual Scholarship Competition.

These outstanding young individuals will be featured in the Community Advocacy Speech Competition, in which they will present a community service project to be carried out in the coming year. They will also share their unique personal talents in the Stage Arts phase of Competition. Each contestant will also be challenged to speak “off-the-cuff” in the Press Interview phase of competition.

Last week the contestants were scored in an additional 3 phases of competition including Community Service Résumé, Scholastic Achievement, and Personality Interview.

Under the direction of Kristina Stamper, a former Miss Manteca 2001-2002 and Miss California State 2003, with Co-director Lavonna Robins and Assistant Director Alanna Robins, the theme of the competition show is “All-Star Round-Up” featuring the 2009 contestants with entertainment by the Manteca Youth Focus Entertainers and Alumni. The host for the event will be former Manteca City Ambassador 2005 and California State Ambassador 2006, Matthew Vaughan.

Sponsored by Manteca Youth Focus, contestants will have the opportunity to earn an education scholarship for each of the top prizes as Miss Teen Manteca and Teen Manteca City Ambassador. The first alternate will also earn a scholarship and the opportunity to represent the annual Sunrise Kiwanis Pumpkin Fair, held the first weekend of October, as Miss Teen Pumpkin Fair. The second alternate will also earn an educational scholarship and serve as Miss Teen Winter Fest, representing the Manteca Twilight Holiday Parade.

There are also awards available in the areas of Community Service, Scholastic Achievement, Stage Arts and Most Inspirational. The audience will get to have their “say” by selecting the “People’s Choice Award.”

Tickets are $8 each for general admission and can be purchased at the door. For more information contact Kristina Stamper at (209) 612-6930.

Teen Manteca City Ambassador Candidate:

Name: Dalton James Harris
Age: 15
School: Sierra High School
Stage Arts: JROTC Rifle Exercise Exhibition
Sponsor: Stacey and Dean Harris

Miss Teen Manteca Candidates:

Name: Victoria Watson
Age: 15
School: Sierra High School
Stage Arts: Martial Arts Demonstration
Sponsor: Manteca Janitorial

Name: Marissa Davina Candelaria
Age: 13
School: Lathrop Elementary School
Stage Arts: Vocal Performance
Sponsor: Frank Cavaco of the Lathrop Rush, John & Anna Candelaria

Name: Jordan Nicole Renfro
Age: 14
School: East Union High School
Stage Arts: Vocal Performance
Sponsor: Dr. Sean Sangalang, DDS

Name: Lauren Alyssa Herrington
Age:13
School: Lincoln Elementary School
Stage Arts: Dance Performance
Sponsor: Teamsters Local #439