Guadalupana Society queen candidate: Alicia Villanueva
The Guadalupana Society of Madera has announced another candidate for a queen coronation planned as part of its 90th anniversary dinner-dance celebration at Holy Spouses Hall on Oct. 28.
Alicia Villanueva, a 20-year-old psychology major at Madera Community College Center, will compete for the biennial honor in hopes of becoming more involved, as queen, in her Catholic faith and the society, and to make her extended family proud.
“I want to be able to help more and to be a part of something great,” she said. “I want to be queen and help as much as I possibly could.”
The Mexican-American association at St. Joachim Church works to honor the mother of Jesus through prayer to her son and by community service and charitable giving. Villanueva initially participated in the society’s activities to assist her grandparents Juan and Anna Ibarra, but she kept doing so, she explained, because of their kindness and the joy they displayed when serving God.
“After attending, I was asked if I wanted to join,” Villanueva said. “I was a bit hesitant at first but I wanted to join and be a part of this amazing group of people. I joined the Guadalupana Society in December 2016, where I was able to be a part of something magical … I want to be able to grow in this group and be as involved as they (my grandparents) have.”
Villanueva hopes to work someday as a counselor, whether for servicemen or for young people in school or a hospital.
“As a child I had to go through a lot with having to go to the hospital due to having to lose one of my kidneys,” she said. “I believe as a child that is too much to go through alone and children need help.”
All are welcome to attend this year’s anniversary dinner-dance and coronation. Tickets are $30 pre-sale and $35 at the door; those 10 or younger admitted for $10 each. Musica de Mariachi Aguila and DJ Mark Lozada will provide music. Doors open at 4 p.m. With dinner from 4:30-6 p.m. And dancing from 7-11 p.m.
For tickets, call Leti Rodriguez at 647-5201.
