LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Filipino Community Council (KFCC) distributed $12,500 in scholarships on Saturday during the 64th annual Miss Kaua‘i Filipina Scholarship Pageant that unfolded before several hundred people at Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall.
“We have $6,000 set aside for the three public high schools — $2,000 for Kapa‘a, Kaua‘i and Waimea high schools, and another $6,500 that will be shared by the three Miss Kaua‘i Filipina candidates — Aaliyah Nero, Jaslen Valdez and Aleah Yano,” said Nancy Apalla, president of the KFCC. “We’re also letting the younger people take a greater part in the pageant. Marie Mindoro was the scholarship committee chair.”
The KFCC scholarship recipients included Sophia Badua, Adrianne James Ruz, Jaysha Silva, Talan Miranda, Benedict Deris Uri, and De’Andrei Gonzales.
Among the cache of prizes and awards, Miss Kaua‘i Filipina, Jaslen Valdez was presented a $3,000 scholarship. The First Princess, Aleah Yano was presented a $2,000 scholarship and the Second Princess, Aaliyah Nero, was presented with a $1,500 scholarship. Valdez was crowned by 2023 Miss Kaua‘i Filipina Victoria Perreira, who got help from County of Kaua‘i Managing Director Reiko Matsuyama.
En route to the crown that earned eligibility to participate in the Miss Hawai‘i Filipina pageant on O‘ahu in July, Valdez was voted the Best in Talent phase with her modern dance number and the Best in Terno Speech Phase. She was also awarded the Social Media award for getting the most social media views on Instagram, and the People’s Choice award for receiving the most in-person votes from pageant attendees.
Yano, voted Best in Judges Interview, was crowned the First Princess, a critical role in the pageant because should the reigning Miss Kaua‘i Filipina be unable to fulfill her obligation, the First Princess becomes the new Miss Kaua‘i Filipina.
She also banked more than a number of special awards, including Miss Congeniality, Most Photogenic, Spirit Award for Most Tickets Sold, Spirit Award for Most Ad Sales and the Most Beautiful Terno.
Aaliyah Nero was crowned the Second Princess after getting judged Best in Swimsuit phase.
