Local Preteen Wins Pageant Over 300 Other Entrants

Ileene Christianson Torres of Loma Linda recently won the coveted Miss Preteen, Los Angeles, Pomona, and San Bernardino, first place award. The pageant began at 3 p.m. in El Monte, and was packed with over 300 contestants. Needless to say, the competition was tough with the contestants still needing participation in the four categories listed. Ileene designed her own "casual wear" dress out of comic strip decorated print and bow for her hair! Finally, at around 11:30 p.m., the judges announced their results. As the tension mounted, Ileene, waited breathlessly as the first runner up was announced, and to her dismay, it was not her. Looking down at her family for support, she waited for what would be an "All Expenses Paid Trip to the U.S. Finals in Orlando, Florida." With a drum roll, the announcer went on to state that the top prize was to be awarded to contestant #310. Suddenly, it sank in that Torres was the first place winner for the Miss Preteen award. With a gasp, she went forward to receive the much sought-after sash and 3-foot tall trophy. Loma Linda takes pride in having a hometown girl win such a prize. Torres' parents, owners of the Loma Linda Antique Mall on Redlands Blvd., were ecstatic that all the effort their 12-year-old daughter exerted into winning the pageant came to a successful end. Next on Ileene Torres' agenda includes a trip to the finals for the whole family in Orlando next year. What a wonderful accomplishment for a young member of the community to overcome 300 contestants and a grueling 9 hour wait, putting her best foot forward for Loma Linda, and the Inland Empire, to win top honors.