Miss Ramona Pageant with 11 contestants set for Nov. 8

Eleven young women will compete for three titles when the 2026 Miss Ramona Pageant takes place on Saturday, Nov. 8.

Miss Ramona is for ages 17 to 26, Teen Miss Ramona, for ages 13 to 16 and Pre-Teen Junior Miss Ramona is for ages 10 to 12, said Noelle Day, pageant director. Contestants must be from Ramona. 

Pageant winners represent Ramona at events such as the Ramona Rodeo, Main Street Merchants Trick or Treat, Christmas Tree Lighting, Ramona Country Fair, Ramona Junior Fair and various Chamber of Commerce events. The first Miss Ramona pageant was held in 1973.

“In addition to representing Ramona, the pageant supports local organizations by fundraising,” Day said. “In 2025, the queens collectively helped raise more than $70,000 for charitable programs and events.”

Miss Ramona contestants include Joanna Abarca, Natalie Browning, Samantha Scott and Clarissa Valenzuela.

A senior at Ramona High School, Abarca, 17, is the daughter of Susana and Celso Abarca. Her future plans include studying child and adolescent development in college and pursuing a career in psychology.

In her third year at Cal State University San Marcos, Browning, 20, is pursuing liberal studies. She plans to become an elementary school teacher, creating inclusive classrooms for students of all abilities. She is the daughter of Amber and Chris Browning.

Scott, 18, is the daughter of Sophie and Randy Scott. A freshman at San Diego Mesa College, she plans to major in culinary and nutritional science to help others through food and health.

Ramona High 11th-grader Valenzuela, 16, is the daughter of Cynthia and Martin Valenzuela. She plans to major in criminal justice in the future, and pursue a career as an FBI agent. 

Maile Hunt, Tarin Kilcoyne and Emma Peasley will be competing for the Teen Miss Ramona crown.

Hunt, 13, is the daughter of Monica and Matthew Hunt. The Olive Peirce Middle School 8th-grader hopes to become a veterinarian and volunteer her time with animal rescue organizations.

Olive Peirce Middle School 8th-grader Kilcoyne, 13, is the daughter of Dinah and Sean Kilcoyne. She hopes to become an interior designer and dance teacher. 

Peasley, 13, plans to attend trade school to earn her cosmetology license, and later pursue a degree to become a financial adviser. The 8th grade Olive Peirce Middle School student is the daughter of Leann and James Peasley.

Pre-teen Junior Miss Ramona contestants include Hazel Becker, Alexa Echevarria, Charlotte Echevarria and Maddison Hamilton.

Becker 10, the daughter of Monica and Matthew Hunt (adoptive parents) and Maritza and Nick Becker (biological parents), is a 4th-grader at Barnett Elementary School. She hopes to work with animals in her future, specifically to help them find homes where they can stay active and be well cared for.

Alexa Echevarria, 12, is a 7th-grader at Olive Peirce Middle School. The daughter of Noemi Munoz and Saul Echevarria, she hopes to become an elementary school teacher, working with students in grades three and below.

Charlotte Echevarria, 10, is the daughter of Noemi Munoz and Saul Echevarria. The Ramona Elementary School 5th-grader has been inspired by a desire to help others and by living near Fire Station #80 to attend college and become a firefighter.

Ramona Elementary School 6th-grader Maddison Hamilton, 11, has plans of to become an anesthesiologist. She is the daughter of Chelsea and Zack Hamilton.

With a “Back to the 80s” theme this year, the contestants will compete in casual wear and introduce themselves after a non-judged dance opening number. They will also answer impromptu questions on stage after the evening gown performance. Earlier in the day, they will have interview and speech competitions.

The title holders will receive educational scholarships at the end of their reign to help support their future academic and career goals, she said.

The pageant takes place at Mountain View Community Church, 1191 Meadowlark Way. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and the program begins at 4 p.m. Admission is $15 per person. Tickets are available at the door.