Queen Contest

2025 Elks Queen, Samantha McDonald

Hi, my name is Samantha McDonald and I am honored to be the 2025 Elks Rodeo Queen Candidate representing Children's Resource and Referral. I have the privilege of sharing with our community the resources that CRR provides by helping develop strong and healthy families.

I am a 17-year-old senior at Righetti High School and have a 4.7 GPA. I currently serve as President for the Righetti FFA chapter and Vineyard 4-H club. I am an active member of the National Honor Society, California Scholarship Federation, Early Academic Outreach Program, Key Club, and ASTRA. In addition, I'm a student athlete and play for Righetti's varsity tennis team, and compete competitively in English horse riding.

Giving back to my community and being able to help make a difference in the lives of others is a part of who I am. Since the age of 13, I have raised puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Each year throughout high school I've been the girl with the dog, always having a puppy by my side. I've successfully raised three dogs and am currently raising my 4th puppy in training.

This spring, I plan to graduate from Allan Hancock College with three associate degrees, one month prior to receiving my high school diploma. After high school, I plan to attend a 4-year university and major in nursing. I am blessed to have the continual support of my family, friends, and community. Thank you!

2026 Elks Queen Candidate, Morgan Fasse

My name is Morgan Fasse, and I am honored to be a 2026 Elks Rodeo Queen Candidate representing St. Joseph High School. I am 17 years old and currently a senior, where I have had the opportunity to grow not only academically, but as a leader and active member of my community. I am the founder of my school’s Kindness Club, where I work to create a more positive and inclusive environment on campus and encourage others to give back.

Next year I plan to attend the University of Mississippi, majoring in Business Management, while continuing to stay involved in my community and support organizations that make a meaningful impact. Coming from a big family, I have learned the importance of stepping up, staying involved, and helping others whenever I can. Giving back and being involved in my community is something that truly matters to me. I am running as a candidate because I care deeply about St. Joseph and the impact it has on its students. Supporting the St. Joseph High School Boosters and improving our athletic facilities is important to me because it creates opportunities for future students to grow, succeed, and build lasting experiences.

Through this campaign, I hope to bring people together, make a positive impact, and represent my school and community with pride, leadership, and integrity. I am so excited to start this campaign to raise money for the community and build new relationships with the other candidates. Thank you!

For more information, visit: https://sjhsrodeoqueen.com/

2026 Elks Queen Candidate, Savannah Salcido

My name is Savannah Salcido, first and foremost I want to thank God for being here and having the blessing to have the honor to run for Kiwanis of Guadalupe.

I am 17 years old and currently attending Pioneer Valley High School. I value my education deeply because I understand it is a privilege not everyone in the world is given. From a young age, my parents taught me that nothing in life is handed to you—you must work hard, stay determined, and give your best effort in everything you do. That mindset has shaped who I am today.

Throughout high school I have been involved in ag leadership, volleyball, swim, cheer, softball, soccer, FFA, AVID, Link Crew, and college prep courses. These experiences have taught mediscipline, teamwork, and perseverance. However, FFA has had the greatest impact on me. Through public speaking competitions I found my voice, and I am honored to have been named Outstanding President three years in a row and to finish my senior year by winning first place overall with my amazing team.

FFA also gave me the opportunity to raise animals for the Santa Barbara County Fair. Raising my first swine taught me patience, responsibility, and dedication. This year I am continuing that journey by raising another pig through 4-H.

These opportunities mean even more because of challenges I have faced. I once struggled with bullying and confidence, but through FFA, sports, leadership, my faith, and my family’s support, I found strength. I learned that my worth does not come from others or social media, but from who I am in God’s eyes. Because of this, I hope to encourage younger children to choose kindness and remember that everyone is beautifully made in God’s image.

My family is the center of my life. My dad served eight years as a Marine, my brother currently serves in the Air Force, and my sister is currently in Oklahoma shooting artillery for the United States Army. Their dedication to service inspires me every day.

After graduation, I will be joining the Army National Guard as a combat medic while pursuing my dream of becoming a labor and delivery nurse. I hope to serve others with compassion, strength, and integrity.

I am also honored to be running with the Kiwanis Club of Guadalupe, whose mission of helping children one by one truly speaks to my heart. I would like to recognize Stephanie Cavazos as my campaign chair and Lanette Estabillo as my co-chair for their leadership and support.

I am incredibly grateful for my family, mentors, and community. Thank you to Kiwanis for this

opportunity, and best of luck to my fellow Rodeo Queen candidates.

Sincerely,

Savannah Salcido

For more information, visit: https://www.facebook.com/GuadalupeKiwanisElksRodeo...

2026 Elks Queen Candidate, Reiyna Sarin

My name is Reiyna Sarin. I am 16 years old and currently a sophomore at St. Joseph High School. I am running on behalf of the Hancock Athletic Booster Club. I am a straight-A student with a 4.14 GPA and am involved in both the California Scholarship Federation and the National Honor Society.

Throughout my time in school, I have served as class president through ASB and currently represent my school as an Ambassador at St. Joseph. I am also the varsity football team manager, a member of the varsity dance team, and a lead singer in our school choir.

Outside of school, I am passionate about giving back to my community. I have mentored and coached kids through football and cheer, and I also play tackle football. Singing is another way I serve. I perform the National Anthem whenever I can and have sung at events such as the Elks Rodeo, the Mid-State Fair, and Cruizin’ for Life, among others. I also help with the annual Basket Brigade organized by my family, which provides support to those in need.

I chose Allan Hancock College because I am deeply involved in athletics, and staying local allows me to continue supporting and growing within my community. The cause of supporting athletics strongly resonates with me. I believe student-athletes deserve the proper equipment, resources, and opportunities to succeed, not just for the strength of the program, but for the success of each individual athlete. I am extremely excited to play a part of the Boosters first Rodeo Queen Campaign, that will fund all the needed equipment and improvements on campus!

Family plays a huge role in shaping who I am. My mom, Reshmi, and my dad, Amit, have always been strong role models in my life. Together, they have given so much to our community and have even helped establish a new football league. My younger sister, Ashanya, is one of my biggest supporters and a talented multi-sport athlete. My parents, who own several Subway locations along the Central Coast, have instilled in us the importance of hard work, service, and giving back. I hope to follow in their footsteps.

I am incredibly grateful for the support I have received, and I hope to return that support to my community. My goal is to help all students feel empowered to pursue and achieve their dreams, just as I have. I am honored to be running for the Hancock Athletic Booster Club.

2026 Elks Queen Candidate, Annabella Williams

Hello, my name is Annabella Williams, and I am so proud to be the 2026 Elks Rodeo Queen Candidate representing the Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club. I have the unique privilege of bringing our little town back into the contest for the first time since 1953. The LAVMC helps to bring our community together to support local youth and families through cultural, educational, philanthropic and social growth, something I have directly benefited from my entire life.

I am currently 17 years old and a junior at Righetti High School. I am an active member of the Los Alamos Grange, and you can find me every summer, helping and volunteering my time at the Santa Barbara County Fair. I am also a lifelong athlete, having played softball since I could hold a bat. My favorite position is Catcher, I am the eyes of the field, the only player that can see the game at all times. In addition to softball, I have recently stepped out of my comfort zone and became a competitive cheerleader. I’ve learned to embrace my strength as an asset, learned the importance of trust amongst teammates and most importantly, learned that I am capable of being a leader.

Giving back to my community is incredibly important to me. I met the people I call my mom and dad when I was three years old. The Los Alamos community embraced my family and I during an incredibly difficult time in my early life, always opening their doors to me when I needed someone to talk to or needed help in any way. I quite literally grew up in the Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club building, and I am who I am today because a wonderful community adopted me without hesitation. I am eternally grateful to my parents, but this community is my family, and I am beyond honored to give back to the programs that raised me.

In the future, I am looking forward to my senior year of high school and whatever comes after. I hope to attend college and enter the field of social work in some form. I want to be an inspiration to other young ladies, just as the previous Queens have been for me.