Freshman crowned Miss Warden 2013

WARDEN - The crowd inside Warden Elementary was hushed as the results for the Miss Warden pageant were waiting to be announced. The four contestants Madison Kilmer, 17, Betty Backell, 16, Rachell Backell, 15, and Levi Guerra, 16, stood nervously on stage waiting to possibly hear their name called.

Finally, Warden Mayor Tom Massa announced that Rachell, Betty's younger sister, had been named queen. Kilmer was awarded second runner-up and Guerra was awarded first runner-up.

"It feels absolutely amazing," Rachell said. "To be honest, I was really expecting my sister to win."

Before being named queen, Rachell also won Most Talented and Guerra won Miss Congeniality.

The pageant opened with a choreographed dance that included songs from Vanilla Ice and MC Hammer as well as many others.

The participants from last year's pageant came on stage and gave a farewell speech thanking supporters as well as praising this year's candidates.

"I know that whoever I give up my crown to will do the best job," last year's princess Kimberly Vela said.

The talent portion of the show allowed the girls to show off a special routine they planned for the show.

Kilmer sang the song "Tornado" which included artificial smoke effects and tumbleweeds being throw across the stage.

Rachell performed a magic show and used a little girl named Heaven as her assistant. Rachell was able to make a box of candy disappear and reappear at the end of the show. Heaven was given the candy for her help, which she appeared to be very excited about. When asked how her show worked, Rachell responded that a good magician never reveals their secrets.

Guerra and Betty both recited monologues to the crowd. Guerra's was about our need to wear metaphorical masks in life and Betty's was about the plight of becoming a teenager.

"Is there some unwritten law that when you become a teenager you move into the realm of insanity?" Betty said.

The final part of the pageant was the gown and interview section. Each contestant was introduced by the mayor and then asked a specific question. Kilmer was asked what she wanted to see changed in Warden and her response was more after school activities to keep kids off the streets.

The only person more excited to see Rachell named queen was her big sister Betty, who gave her a hug after her name was called.

"I'm very, very proud of her," Betty said. "I really am."