Minton’s response—“I’m totally shocked”
By Loreen Berlin
There’s a new Miss Silverado in town, along with her court members, who will represent the Buena Park Noon Lions Club and the City of Buena Park for the 2019-20 year.
Winning the title and crown for 2019 is Tiffany Minton, 20, who is a full-time student currently attending Fullerton College, majoring in Administration of Justice.
Next fall, Minton plans to transfer to CSU Fullerton to complete her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice.
During Minton’s junior and senior high school years, she participated in the 78th and 79th Annual Lions Club International Student Speaker Contests, where she won several rounds, advancing to the next levels of competition, which she said helped her to have the ability and courage to speak in front of large crowds.
On campus, Minton is active in the Foster Youth Service initiative and said she is very passionate about helping those in need.
“Tiffany is honestly one of the most gracious and positive spirits I have had the opportunity to meet,” said Deborah Donnelly, who heads up the Miss Silverado Scholarship program for young ladies.
“Upon receiving my Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, I plan to attend law school with the ultimate goal of becoming a practicing criminal defense attorney,” said Minton as she addressed the large crowd at Silverado Days in William Peak Park last Friday evening. “My hope is to use my educational power to defend and protect those who are wrongly accused.”
Minton said that as a person who has personally experienced the broken foster care system first-hand, it is her passion to be part of the solution.
“In an often unjust system, it is my hope to bridge the gap as much as I possibly can,” Minton explained. “And by representing those in need and by giving back to my community I will further bridge that gap. And this weekend is a perfect opportunity to give back to others and to come together at Silverado Days.”
Minton’s Court members are Silverado Princesses Eleanor Nunez, 25 and Hannah Thompson, 21.
Nunez is a professional pianist, educator and conductor. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Cal State Fullerton with a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance. Currently, Nunez is working on a Master’s degree in Wind Conducting at CSUF, where she is a member of the Sigma Alpha Iota Chorale—Orange County Alumni Chapter.
Nunez also teachers more than 20 piano students and is beginning her fifth year as the music director of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Fullerton, where she oversees several performance ensembles; she is also in her second year as the director of the Yorba Linda Chorus.
Nunez said once she completes her Master’s degree, she plans to apply for collegiate-level teaching at the local community college level; however “Before I complete my Master’s degree I plan on increasing musical outreach in my community through creating a children’s chorus, as I see firsthand the deficiencies in our elementary music education and the community children’s choruses are a fantastic way to bridge that gap,” she said.
“It’s been my experience that Eleanor brings joy and enthusiasm wherever she goes,” said Donnelly.
Thompson is a junior at California State University, Long Beach, where she is pursuing two Bachelor’s degrees in Health Science and Community Health Education. Once she has her degree, she plans to continue her education by entering a Doctorate of Nursing program.
Thompson said upon completing her education, she plans to pursue a career as a Nurse Practitioner in Pediatrics. “I have a passion for children and want to positively impact their lives,” she said. “In addition to my profession, my volunteer work also centers around children and I’m currently involved in the Buena Park Children’s Youth Theater where I assist in the production efforts and help guide young performers, as so many have guided me. I plan to stay involved with my community by being active in my church and through my philanthropy work at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.”
“In the short time I’ve known Hannah, I’ve found her to be both beautiful inside and out and to have one of the most tender and compassionate hearts I’ve ever come across,” said Donnelly. “The medical profession will be so fortunate to have her with them and she will be a true blessing to her patients.”
Miss Silverado and her court members will represent the Buena Park Noon Lions Club and the City of Buena Park throughout their reigning year by attending various functions the city and Lions sponsor, including the three-day charity carnival held annually at William Peak Park. It is a family affair planned with families and children in mind.
The Miss Silverado Scholarship program is administered by former Miss Buena Park and Miss Silverado Deborah Donnelly. For future Miss Silverado competitions, contact her at debsingsasong@gmail.com. Applicants must be single women with no children, 18-24 years of age, and must be 18 years old by October of the year they compete.
Those vying for the title must live, work, volunteer or attend school in the city of Buena Park, Anaheim, Cypress, Cerritos, Fullerton or La Palma. Those attending local colleges and universities may also apply.
Miss Silverado 2019 receives a $1,000 scholarship; members of her court receive a $500 scholarship, as well as various prizes provided by Buena Park sponsors, and a Silverado Days jacket from the Buena Park Noon Lions Club.
Scoring is based on a two to three page essay on a given topic, along with being interviewed by a panel of judges.
