LIHUE — Saturday night marked another “New Beginning” for Marielle Yano when she was crowned the 2015 Miss Kauai Filipina before more than 800 enthusiastic fans at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall. Just as graduating from Kauai High School
LIHUE — Saturday night marked another “New Beginning” for Marielle Yano when she was crowned the 2015 Miss Kauai Filipina before more than 800 enthusiastic fans at the Kauai War Memorial Convention Hall.
Just as graduating from Kauai High School marked the close of a chapter in her book and the start of a new one, the crown of the scholarship pageant starts “A New Beginning” as she prepares to leave for the University of Washington to embark on a path which will lead her to a career in the medical field, hopefully as an orthopedic surgeon.
Yano, the daughter of Thomas and Marites Yago Yano, captured the talent award with her dramatic vocal rendering of “Hallelujah,” a song which spoke of domestic violence.
Her rendering of her “new beginnings” included a chapter about when she learned of the cancer diagnosis of a close friend, which earned her the Best in Terno-Speech award en route to her Miss Kauai Filipina title.
Harley Broyles, the daughter of Michael and Julie Corpuz Broyles, earned the Best in Judges Interview and Most Photogenic special awards on her way to being crowned the scholarship pageant’s first runner-up. That position is significant because should Yano earn the Miss Hawaii Filipina crown at the state pageant next month, Broyles will assume the Miss Kauai Filipina responsibilities.
Diandra Kuikawanani Andres Melchor, the daughter of Tony and Diane Andres Melchor, triggered waves of cheer throughout the evening. She earned special awards for Best in Swimsuit and Most Spirited in ad and ticket sales, before being announced as the pageant’s second runner-up.
Third runner-up McKenna Pascua offered a showcase of her new beginning, highlighting her life as a high school student through her versatile talent presentation. The daughter of Vance and Roxanne Pascua sets her sights on the field of culinary arts as a student at Kauai Community College.
Maisie Gwyn Sagucio, the daughter of Stanley and Leilani Sagucio and a Waimea High School graduate, plans to learn fashion design and design her own clothes to build her own clothing brand. Sagucio earned the Most Beautiful Terno award following scrutiny by terno judges Jarvis Aranda, an award- winning Filipino fashion designer, and Julia Brashear of Kay Jewelers.
Joydan Sagucio, the daughter of Jerry Sagucio and Alberta Louis, was named the pageant’s Most Congenial, a title which was voted on by the six young women participating in the scholarship pageant.
The pageant, which celebrated its 57th year, was presented by the Kauai Filipino Community Council.
Charlmaine Suero Bulosan, president of the KFCC, said the pageant generates scholarship funds while showcasing the Filipino culture and heritage.
Bryson Baligad and Chaz Pacleb, graduating from Kapaa High School, Frances Morden and Raymart Ballesteros, Kauai High School graduates, Melia Takakusagi and Cristina McLaughlin, Waimea High School graduates, were presented as recipients of the 2015 KFCC scholarship recipients.