Beauties show off sparkle, celebrate Mother Road

BARSTOW • This year’s Miss Route 66 Pageant only drew about half the contestants it did last year, but women ages zero to 50-plus still celebrated the mother of all roads Saturday in lipstick and high-heels.

One contestant came to the pageant this year from Washington, D.C., but most of the participants came from within Southern California. Each contestant competed for the crown by showing off her poise and sparkle. Contestants ages 13 and up also told the judges and audience what spot or event they love best on Route 66.

“It’s a great experience,” said 16-year-old JordanRose Guinn, a Norco resident who won the Miss Teen Route 66 crown, adding that the experience helps build self confidence. “Even if you don’t win, you still have confidence because you were brave enough to do it.”

Guinn’s experience with pageants began at 10 years old when she entered a bathing suit competition in a red bikini, she said.

“I ended up getting first runner-up. Ever since I was hooked,” she said. “At today’s pageant, I met another girl who was in my division and hopefully we can become friends.”

This year only about 25 contestants showed up to compete for a crown, something Pageant Director Kris Watson blames on the economy. Two categories had to be skipped because no one had signed up to compete. Last year between 40 and 50 contestants competed.

Lacking the evening gowns of the more formal Miss Barstow Pageant, Watson, who directs both pageants, said the Miss Route 66 Pageant is similar in that crown-winners do community service in their own towns.

“(Contestants) spread the word about the historical significance of Route 66,” she said.

For some of the contestants, like Ms. Route 66 winner Shalyn Stanfield, of Norco, the historical significance of the Mother Road was her historical significance. When it came time to tell the judges what her favorite place on Route 66 was, Stanfield answered the intersection of Monte Vista Avenue and Foothill Boulevard in Upland. This was where she spent 10 years of her life, from age 5 to 15, dancing, she said.

Stanfield has spent the last few years coaching pageants. For the past eight years, she has directed the Miss Norco and Miss Teen Norco pageants. The last time she actually competed for a crown was at age 5.

“I promised my girls I would run,” Stanfield said, adding that she has coached and directed between 20 and 30 girls. “It’s a lot harder to get up there than it is to coach.”

Guinn, Stanfield and the other winners will be at this year’s Main Street USA car show on Sept. 11. They are also invited to the Route 66  Rendezvous in San Bernardino, Watson said.

Queens:
• Baby: Kerrington Eggleston, Rialto
• Petite: Jordyn Lendway, Barstow
• Tiny: Kaylie Murphy, Joshua Tree
• Little: Soraya Yanez, Riverside
• Pixie: Cassidy Garrard, Newberry Springs
• Junior Teen: Sierra Palladino, Norco
• Teen: JordanRose Guinn, Norco
• Miss: Michelle Fleming, Victorville
• Ms.: Shalyn Stanfield, Norco
• Mrs.: Renee Jones, Norco
• Classic: Christy Passoth, Upland
Junior talent: Cassidy Garrard
Senior talent: Kristina Lewis, Norco
Ambassador: Terry Kafides, Apple Valley