West Point is the number one option for Ripon Almond Blossom Queen candidate Mireya Garcia, 16, once she graduates from Ripon High School.

Garcia is one of the eight young women running for the Almond Blossom crown.  Whoever is crowned next month will reign over the festival Feb. 26-28 and then serve the rest of the year as Miss Ripon.

She plans on studying the Chinese and Russian languages and is looking at Wentworth Military Academy or U.C. Davis as her second and third choices if she doesn’t get into the prestigious military academy.

Mireya is focused on becoming a language interpreter or possibly teaching English as a second language.

She said three words that would best represent her personality are “hardworking, motivated and funny.”

She is involved with the Ripon High School Band, Clean Campus Club, wrestling as well as being the Command Sergeant Major for the Ripon JROTC program.  While in the JROTC program she has received the Scout Award, NCO of the Year, Academic Excellence, and most improved in unarmed exhibition.

Mireya showed some concern that her involvement in the JROTC and wrestling might interfere with her participation in the Almond Blossom Festival program, but her instructors cleared the way for her to reach for the Ripon crown. 

“This past summer I went on a mission trip to Thailand for two weeks with the Ripon Free Methodist Church,” she added. “Some of my hobbies include wrestling and going on walks.  My talents are public speaking and playing the flute,” she said.

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