Rihanna Sanchez: 2024 Miss Wasco Rose Queen

Rihanna Sanchez, the newly crowned 2024 Miss Wasco Rose Queen, is deeply rooted in her hometown. Born and raised in this close-knit community, she's always felt a strong connection to Wasco

Reflecting on her upbringing, Rihanna said, "It has always been nice how close everybody is in the town. It's just really nice when we have community events, and it feels like everybody is there. I can't imagine living in a town that isn't Wasco."

Growing up with three siblings, Rihanna looks up to her eldest sister, Kayleen Sanchez. "She's always been a hard worker and very helpful to me and my parents growing up, so she has definitely had an influence in my life."

When asked about her favorite childhood memories, Rihanna's answer is simple: the Rose Festival. For her, it's more than an event - it's a cherished family tradition. "My family was always there, and it was rare when we missed a festival or a parade," she recalls. Now, as the reigning Miss Wasco Rose Queen, she finds herself at the heart of the festival she has loved since childhood. "Being a part of the festival and parade now feels surreal. It's an unreal feeling."

Despite her busy schedule, Rihanna enjoys simple pleasures in her free time and is an avid reader. She also treasures time spent at home with her family, whether it's going for walks or watching Disney movies with her siblings.

Balancing school, extracurricular activities and her responsibilities as Miss Wasco Rose Queen is no easy feat, but Rihanna manages it with ease. "I just have to manage my time really well," she explains. "School is always going to be my number one priority. Whatever free time I have, I just take it all in and relax when I can."

Since earning the title of Miss Wasco Rose Queen, Rihanna's life has changed in unexpected ways. "It's quite a bit of pressure because everyone knows who I am," she said, "but overall, I'm very honored and grateful that from all of the contestants, I was chosen. I just hope I will represent Wasco in a positive way."

As queen, Rihanna has set meaningful goals. "My goals for the next year are empowering the younger generation and promoting kindness - not only to yourself but to each other as well."

Looking ahead, she's excited to participate in local events, including crowning the Bengals Queen at their homecoming and attending the Hall of Fame ceremony. She also hopes to host her own events to further connect with the community.

Through the pageant, Rihanna discovered her strength and resilience. "I learned that I am capable of a lot more than I thought. When I was going through the pageant, I was very busy, and now that I got through it, I know I can persevere when things get hard."

Her advice to future contestants? "Be yourself and trust in who you are."

Once her reign ends, Rihanna plans to pursue her dream of becoming a teacher. She is currently applying to colleges, including Fresno State, California State University Bakersfield and Monterey Bay, with plans to major in liberal studies. Her goal is to teach third grade, a year she fondly remembers as both fun and formative.

As Rihanna reflects on her reign, she emphasizes what she hopes people will remember: "I want people to remember my kindness and the positivity I brought to the community."