New Rancho Bernardo queens are crowned

Two Rancho Bernardo High juniors returned to school on Monday, after a week-long spring break, with new “royal” titles.

Julia Moluf was crowned Miss Rancho Bernardo 2015 and Isabella Ortiz was crowned Miss Rancho Bernardo Teen 2015 late Sunday afternoon after the all-day pageant held at the Rancho Bernardo Inn. The new titleholders were among several teenage contestants who won prizes during the 24th annual scholarship pageant.

“I didn’t expect to win,” Moluf said about her first pageant experience.

The 17-year-old only child of Carla and Steve Moluf said she lived in Rancho Bernardo until she was 6. The family returned three years ago after living in Portland, Oregon.

Moluf said she entered the pageant because friends competed in the past and if she won it would be a way for her to be involved in the community.

“I’m looking forward to representing the community and being a good role model for the younger generation,” she said. “This has been a really great experience. I’ve learned so much and met amazing girls who are so full of passion.”

Among things Moluf said she learned during the pageant were how to be poised, a good speaker and handle herself in situations in which she is not comfortable.

At RB High she is president of the Best Buddies Club, a peer counselor, in Associated Student Body, Junior Class president, was a Humans Relations Conference facilitator, No Place for Hate Week coordinator and a Chelsea’s Run ambassador. She received a 2012 American Legion Award, was nominated Junior Homecoming Princess, interns with the American Red Cross and has been a Miracle League volunteer for the past four years.

Moluf said her future goals are to major in communications at a four-year university, go on a service trip to a Third World country, work for a non-profit organization, get married, raise a family and travel the world, especially Europe.

“This is absolutely wonderful,” said Ortiz about winning her first pageant.

The 16-year-old daughter of Bernadette and Edgardo Ortiz has a 19-year-old brother, Miguel. The family has lived in Rancho Bernardo her entire life, she said.

“I wanted to enter so I can represent the community I grew up in,” she said. “I’m so honored to represent it ... by attending events and learning wonderful things about the community.”

Ortiz said she would also like to use this as an opportunity to advocate for causes important to her, such as her efforts with senior citizens. She said this might include participating in an Alzheimer’s walk or other events helping the elderly.

At RB High her activities have included Key Club, writing and taking photos for her school newspaper and competing in speech tournaments. She is also in youth ministry at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, has received a Silver Star award (for G.P.A.s exceeding 4.0) every semester, earned a 2400 on the SAT and is a two-time medalist in the San Diego Imperial Valley Speech League. Her interests include travel, tennis, Pilates and reading.

Ortiz said her future plans are to attend a four-year university — perhaps Stanford — and major in international relations or international business.

Both titleholders are eligible for $1,000 scholarships if they meet participation requirements when their reigns conclude. The scholarships are provided by the Rancho Bernardo Business Association, Pageant Director Lynn Ross and former Pageant Director Kerry Kirby. On Sunday they were also presented several prizes, including a necklace from Unicorn Jewelry, their crown and banner, bouquet and gift basket.

First runner-up in the Miss pageant was 17-year-old Amanda Behling, a junior at RB High. In the Teen pageant it was 16-year-old Maddie Levesque, also a junior at RB High. Both received a plaque and bouquet.

The best speech awards were $125 in cash from the Rancho Bernardo “Noon” Rotary Club and a plaque. In the Miss pageant it went to Revati Thatte, a 17-year-old junior at Del Norte High, and in the Teen it went to Ortiz.

The highest G.P.A. awards were $125 from Kelly Johnson of Origami Owl and a plaque. In the Miss pageant it went to Michelle Tenggara, a 17-year-old junior at RB High with a 4.31 cumulative G.P.A. In the Teen pageant it went to Hannah El Sabrout, a 16-year-old junior at RB High with a 4.28 cumulative G.P.A.

Other awards presented were Spirit of the Pageant (prize was a box of chocolates and gift card) and People’s Choice award (half of voting ticket proceeds), which both went to Olivia McIntyre, a 17-year-old RB High senior. Most Photogenic award (an 8x10 photo in an engraved frame from pageant photographer Tiffany Pond) went to Ortiz.