Miss Yucca Valley Court comes back at the YVFF! – Interview with John Babrowski

Miss Yucca Valley 2022 Lei Lonie Liechti, first princess Jaylene Ramos, second princess Lilah Foster and third princess Annabelle Hunt will walk the festival’s red carpet on Sunday, Nov 13.

The program is not a competition based on looks but a scholarship to build skills and aptitude.

The Misses will also be on stage to open an envelope and present an award to winning filmmakers during the closing night of the festival. We met with program mentor John Babrowski.

What is the Miss Yucca Valley Court program about? It is a scholarship, right?

It is a scholarship program that runs 5 months for junior girls. The contestants work towards winning a position on the court: Miss Yucca Valley and 3 Princesses.

You said in the Hi-Desert Star ““The Miss Yucca Valley Scholarship program is a wonderful opportunity for these girls to learn important skills they can use in life — not just in school, but in work and social settings as well.” This pageant is not about looks, but about the experience the program offers to its participants.

The program offers mentorship to improve their leadership skills and instill integrity, honesty and servanthood skills. Humility through confidence.

What is your specific role with regards to organizing the pageant and helping the girls afterwards, all year long?

I am the program chairperson through Rotary and I facilitate the program by mentoring the girls and guiding the current court in preparing the contestants for the ongoing learning and the eventual pageant.

Miss Yucca Valley, the first and second princesses participated in the Yucca Valley Film Festival already, in 2019. How important is it for them to be involved in local, community events?

The girls on the court serve the community in any manner they can. Sometimes hands on work and sometimes acting as representatives for the Town, the program and themselves.

Why do you think the Yucca valley Film Festival is a great event for them to be a part of?

The film festival is a terrific event that holds the name “Yucca Valley Film Festival”… Who better to be apart of it than Miss Yucca Valley and her court!