The Fiesta Bowl Queen & Court, presented by Dillard’s selection committee, announced Tuesday the four-member Court who will serve as ambassadors for the 2009-2010 Fiesta Bowl Festival of College Football.
Each court member was selected based upon her scholastic achievement, community involvement, poise, personality and submitted essay.
The Queen will be announced on the evening of Wednesday, October 7 during a special, invitation-only coronation at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort.
Through a special partnership with ABC 15 and "Sonoran Living," the general public will have the opportunity to watch television interviews with each Court member vying for the title of Fiesta Bowl Queen on Thursday, October 1.
Following the broadcast of the interviews, viewers may log-on to
www.abc15.com in the Contest & Events area and vote for their favorite Fiesta Bowl Queen candidate until 5 p.m. on Monday, October 5.
Each fall, hundreds of young women from across Arizona vie for the opportunity to serve as Fiesta Bowl Court members.
A scholarship opportunity of a lifetime, the Queen & Court act as official spokespersons for the Fiesta Bowl’s events, Board of Directors, Committee, volunteers, staff and sponsors.
Court members will attend some of the state’s most treasured annual events, including the 39th Annual Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, the Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona Fiesta Bowl National Band Championship presented by University of Phoenix, the Fiesta Bowl Invitational presented by Ellie & Michael Ziegler and various other Fiesta Bowl festivities.
Members of this year’s Court are:
Vanessa Evans, 20, is a junior at Northern Arizona University majoring in public relations. She is a member of the Hispanic Honor Society, Gamma Phi Beta Sorority, Sigma Alpha Lambda National Leadership and Honors Organization, Public Relations Student Society of America, Associated Students of Northern Arizona University and volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff. Evans resides in Flagstaff where she attended Coconino High School.
Katie Dempsey, 20, is a senior at the University of Arizona majoring in speech and hearing. She is a member of Alpha Phi Sorority and the University of Arizona student government. She also serves as both a Girl Scout leader and volunteer with the Disability Resource Center. Dempsey resides in Tucson, but is originally from Mesa where she attended Dobson High School.
Mercedes Hendrix, 20, is a senior at Arizona State University majoring in biochemistry. She is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She also serves as a volunteer with John C. Lincoln North Mountain, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Arizona and mentors with the President Barack Obama Scholars Program at ASU. Hendrix resides in Phoenix where she attended Bourgade Catholic High School.
Jessica Lagreid, 21, is a senior at Arizona State University majoring in marketing and sustainability. She is a member of Kappa Delta Sorority and the Order of Omega Greek Honors Society. Lagreid resides in Tempe, but is originally from Oakland, CA and attended St. Mary’s College High School in Berkeley, CA.
