2025 Top 10 Candidates
The Top 10 Candidates for the 106th Washington State Apple Blossom Festival Royalty were announced Tuesday, January 07. Vying for the 2025 Queen and two Princesses are:
(W) Wenatchee School District (E) Eastmont School District
Sierra Rodriguez, daughter of Susie Rodriguez and Tony Rodriguez (W)
Addie Sangster, daughter of Cindy Sangster, and Corey & Cheryl Sangster (W)
Ava Smeller, daughter of Matt & Sarah Smeller (W)
Daeja Carlson, daughter of Janelle Carlson (W)
Ella Johnson, daughter of Kyle & Andie Johnson (W)
Tessa Schall, daughter of Danielle Schall and Ryan Schall (E)
Yasmin Perez, daughter of Isabet Torres and Santiago Pérez (E)
Jenna Daley, daughter of Craig & Trisha Field (E)
Mia Tostado, daughter of José & Luz Tostado (E)
Alona Simbirskiy, daughter of Vera Simbirskiy and Boris Simbirskiy (E)
The Top 10 Candidates will be spending the month leading up to Pageant being interviewed by radio and TV stations, touring many local businesses and attending speech, makeup, media and etiquette lessons in preparation for the 2025 Royalty Selection Pageant, sponsored by Cashmere Valley Bank on Saturday, February 08 at 7:00pm at the Numerica Performing Arts Center. $31,000 in scholarships will be awarded Pageant Night with the Queen receiving a $10,000 scholarship and each Princess receiving a $5,000 scholarship. Pageant tickets go on sale Tuesday, January 14 online only through the Numerica Performing Arts Center.
Ella Johnson
Ella is the daughter of Kyle and Andie Johnson. Ella is a student at The River Academy, where she serves as a House Leader (her school’s student government and mentorship program), enjoys leading a middle school girls bible study, and helps with middle school girls volleyball. She is a varsity athlete at Wenatchee High School for golf, participates in Unified Basketball, and played high school and club volleyball for three years. Ella volunteers and serves with Young Life Capernaum and in the summer works in leadership on the Safety Team at Slidewaters in Chelan. In her free time, Ella loves painting, reading, playing pickleball, swimming, baking, and spending time outside in God’s creation. After graduation, Ella plans to attend Point Loma Nazarene University to double major in history and economics, in preparation for law school. However, she is most excited about one day becoming a mom.
Ella’s favorite show is The Office, and her favorite movies are any Star Wars movie, excluding the sequel trilogy. Her favorite song is “American Pie” by Don McLean and her all time favorite book is Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Ella is most inspired by Jesus and her brother Noah, who has forever shaped the way she looks at life and how she loves others. Her most prized possession is her ring her Grammy gave her on her 16th birthday.
Ella’s favorite thing to do in Wenatchee is ski at Mission Ridge or walk the loop trail after getting a coffee and a giant Cosmic Crisp apple at Pybus Market. Her proudest moment in life is when she shared her testimony in front of 300 people when she served for three weeks in Canada at Young Life Malibu Club. If Ella could trade places with anyone for a day, she would like to switch with adventurer Bear Grylls. Ella would be honored to represent the Wenatchee Valley and the Apple Blossom Festival because of her servant’s heart, her involvement and deep love for our Valley’s special community, and the compassion of Christ she outpours onto others.
Ava Smeller
Ava is the daughter of Matt and Sarah Smeller. Ava is a full time Running Start student at Wenatchee Valley College, a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and the Captain of the Wenatchee High School AppleEttes Varsity Dance Team. Ava is a volunteer at Confluence Health in the labor and pediatric ward, and is a long time volunteer in her church’s nursery. She shows her rabbits and goats at the Douglas and Chelan County fairs every summer and she has also recently started job shadowing an obstetrician where she has been able to witness a couple births firsthand. In her spare time, Ava enjoys coffee dates with her friends, working out, singing, watching classic Disney movies with her sister, and spending time with her friends, family, and multiple furry critters. After graduation, Ava plans to attend Boise State University Honors College to major in nursing with the ultimate goal of becoming a labor and delivery nurse. She also looks forward to becoming a mom and owning several of her own animals.
Ava’s favorite TV show is Friends and her favorite movie is the original Star Wars Trilogy. She could never choose just one Star Wars movie. Her favorite song is, Stay By Rhiana, and her favorite book is Are You There God? It’s me, Margaret, by Judy Blume. She is most inspired by her moms selflessness, and her most treasured keepsake is a gold angel pendant gifted to her by her Grandma Jody. She wears the angel any time she needs luck.
Ava’s favorite thing to do in Wenatchee, besides Apple Blossom, is enjoy all 4 seasons, especially fall, eat at the local restaurants in Pybus Public Market, take walks with her family down by the riverfront, and camp at Confluence State Park. Her proudest moment occurred when her Human Anatomy and Physiology professor asked her to mentor other students in her class. If Ava could trade places with anyone for a day, she would trade places with Mickey Mouse because he is the symbol of magic and joy. Ava feels she should represent the Wenatchee Valley because she has a deep love for Wenatchee and the Apple Blossom Festival, she enjoys meeting the people who make our valley special, and she wants to give back to the community that has given her so much throughout her life.
Sierra Rodriguez
Sierra is the daughter of Tony and Susie Rodriguez. Sierra is involved in Wenatchee high schools musical theater, her schools American Sign Language (ASL) club, as well enrolled in as a full time student in running start. Sierra has been to a couple of deaf picnics, helping volunteer with the picnic activity’s, and also works at Stan’s Merry Mart, a company that's been around for more than 70 years. In her spare time she loves to bake, listen to music, and drive around with her friends. After graduation, Sierra plans on majoring in elementary education, planning to become a first grade teacher.
Sierras favorite TV show is 9-1-1 and her favorite movie is La La Land. Music is very important to her, with Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd being on of her favorites, and her favorite book is Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen. She is most inspired by her Nana and her most treasured keepsakes are her records she’s gotten from almost every family member she has.
Sierras favorite thing to do in the Wenatchee Valley is to walk the shops downtown Wenatchee and wander any antique store in the valley while holding an iced coffee. Her proudest moment in her life was when she got her puppy Steve, taking care of another living thing changed her perspective on life. If Sierra could trade places with someone for a day, she would trade places with Marilyn Monroe. Sierra feels she should represent the Wenatchee Valley because she has such a love for this open loving community and adores meeting new people.
Daeja Carlson
Daeja is the daughter of Janelle Carlson. Daeja does running start through Wenatchee Valley College, she is the Arts and Entertainment section editor for Wenatchee High School’s newspaper, The Apple Leaf, and is also the President of her Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) chapter. She is involved in various clubs including Future Business Leaders of America, Technology Student Association, English Honors Society, and People’s First Club. Outside of school, Daeja is employed at Dutch Brothers Coffee and is an active member of her church, Sage Hills. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, discovering new music, writing short stories and poetry, working out, and spending quality time with her family and friends. After graduation, Daeja plans to attend San Diego State University to get her Doctoral degree in neuroscience, hoping to become a sports neuropsychologist as a lifelong career. She also intends to double major in business and open her own private practice in neuroscience.
Daeja’s favorite TV show is Full House, and her favorite movie is The Notebook. Her favorite song is “She’s Always a Woman” by Billy Joel and her favorite book is The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom. She is most inspired by her full-time mother, and her most treasured keepsake is her late grandmother's childhood diary.
Daeja’s favorite thing to do in the Wenatchee Valley is jump in the Columbia River, no matter the weather. Her proudest moment in life was winning an international title in her 2023 DECA conference, resulting in further competition in Anaheim, California. If Daeja could trade places with anyone for the day, she would trade places with Bennet Olamu, a world-renowned neuroscientist who discovered chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) in American football players. Daeja feels she should represent the Wenatchee Valley because she wants to be a role model for other young girls in the valley who have sat in the same auditorium seat that she has each year since she was 3, watching the pageant on the big stage. She feels as though she would be an encouragement for younger generations, and has pride in her role as an uplifting Wenatchee Valley citizen.
Alona Simbirskiy
Alona Simbirskiy is the daughter of Boris and Vera Simbirskiy. Alona is a part of the House Leadership program, the chapel system, Teacher Assistant (TA) for her teacher, and the secretary/vice-president of the Associated Student Body (ASB) at her school. Alona has been working as a secretary for her father’s business for the past 2 years, is a lead singer in her church’s worship group, and volunteers every summer at a children’s camp for Ukrainian refugees and immigrants. In her spare time, she loves scrapbooking, painting or drawing outside, taking adventures with her friends, watching movies with her sisters, and shopping with her mom. After graduation, Alona will go to college for interior design and a business major, after which she will open her own interior design company along with an interactive coffee/book shop.
Alona’s favorite TV show is How to Train Your Dragon: Race to the Edge and her favorite movie is Little Woman. Her favorite song is “Die A Beggar” by Josiah Queen and her favorite book is The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. She is most inspired by the loving and caring Jesus, and her most treasured keepsake is her scrapbooking journal that she has been working on since 2022.
Alona’s favorite thing to do in the Wenatchee Valley is going paddle boarding with her best friend during the summer, and during the colder months, she enjoys snowboarding at Mission Ridge with her dad. Her proudest moment in life was when was mentoring and caring for little kids and saw their eyes light up, and smiles widened when they felt loved by someone and learnt about Jesus. If Alona could trade places with anyone for the day, she would trade places with a secret agent. Alona believes that she should represent Wenatchee Valley because she has a loving, joyful personality towards meeting new people, and wants to incorporate that same hospitable spirit into the Wenatchee Valley, so that everyone can say that they feel welcomed and at home here.
Tessa Schall
Tessa is the daughter of Ryan and Danielle Schall. Tessa is a club president for art club and HOSA (Future Health Professionals) club, and is a member of drama club. Tessa is also a Student Representative for the Superintendent Board and is in her fifth year of being apart Senate in the Eastmont district. Tessa babysits for families around the Wenatchee Valley and whenever she can enjoys donating books or money to hospitals, like Seattle Children’s Hospital, which is a tradition she started with her Grandma when she was seven . In her spare time she enjoys dancing, going on study dates at Starbucks with friends, and writing poetry. After graduation, Tessa plans on majoring in Sonography at WVC to become an Ultrasound Tech and continuing to pursue her passion for dance.
Tessa’s favorite TV show is Chicago Med and her favorite movie is Nerve. Her favorite song is “Until I Found You” by Stephen Sanchez and her favorite books are the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer. She is most inspired by her dance teacher Lindsey Martin/Westman and her most treasured keepsake is a promise ring her Papa gave her when she was little.
Tessa’s favorite thing to do in the Wenatchee Valley is to go on fun photo shoots with her friends, go on hikes, and have picnics at all of the beautiful places in our valley. Her proudest moment in life was when she was granted the opportunity to help assist her dance teacher in teaching a group of minis (young competition dancers) at her dance studio for a competitive dance competition. When they performed at nationals they won first overall at the competition. If Tessa was given the opportunity to trade places with someone for a day, she wouldn’t because she is very content and happy with herself and her lifestyle. Tessa thinks she should represent the Valley and the Apple Blossom Festival because she wants to show young girls that she was once their age and anything is possible if you truly believe in yourself and go after it. She has a passion for talking and meeting more people, a love for Apple Blossom and the Valley, and after living in Wenatchee her whole life, she just wants to show the best parts of this amazing place.
Jenna Daley
Jenna is the daughter of Craig and Trisha Field. Jenna is a full-time running start student, a four-time varsity athlete for Eastmont Swim and Dive, and was named captain during her senior season. Jenna works at Kottkamp, Yedinak, and Esworthy Law Firm in the mornings and coaches swim in the evenings for Velocity’s 10 and under group. In addition to this, during the summer Jenna runs her own business providing private swim lessons. In her spare time, she enjoys reading classic literature, exploring different art forms, learning about true crime, and exploring the community. After graduation, Jenna plans to attend WSU and obtain a degree in business to become an attorney in the future.
Jenna’s favorite TV show is Bridgerton, and her favorite movie is Sleeping Beauty. Her favorite song is “Ordinary Things (featuring Nona)” by Ariana Grande, and her favorite book is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. She is most inspired by her best friend Mckennah, and her most treasured keepsake is her baby blanket.
Jenna’s favorite thing to do in the Wenatchee Valley is walking the loop trail and going to Pybus Public Market during the summer. Her proudest moment in life was when she was unexpectedly awarded a scholarship upon her acceptance to WSU. If Jenna could trade places with anyone for the day, she would trade places with Taylor Swift. Jenna feels she should represent the Wenatchee Valley because she is passionate about positively impacting the community and would be a role model for girls to grow confidence in themselves and their voices. Growing up in the community, she has gained an appreciation for the hard work Apple Blossom royalty put in to serve their community, so Jenna understands the commitment of Apple Blossom and holds the characteristics to show her love for the Wenatchee Valley and the festival as a whole.
Mia Tostado
Mia is the daughter of Jose and Luz Tostado. Mia is a second-year full-time running start student at Wenatchee Valley College, where she serves as a running start mentor, and as a student tenure committee member. She is president of Eastmont High School’s Mariachi Program. Outside of school, Mia volunteers for The Brave Warrior Project, and she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, singing, and playing her guitar and vihuela. After graduation, Mia plans to attend Eastern Washington University to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene.
Mia’s favorite TV show is Modern Family, and her favorite movie is The Princess and the Frog. Her favorite song is “A Mi Manera” by Vicente Fernandez, and her favorite book is “Wonder” by R.J. Palacio. She is most inspired by her mother, and her most treasured keepsake is a necklace given to her by her grandmother.
Mia’s favorite thing to do in the Wenatchee Valley, besides Apple Blossom, is spend time with family, whether it’s going on walks, or discovering new small businesses. Her proudest moment in life is maintaining a Dean’s List standing every quarter at Wenatchee Valley College, as a first-generation student. If Mia could trade places with anyone for the day, she would trade places with Adam Sandler. Mia feels she should represent the Wenatchee Valley and Apple Blossom because she is motivated to bring out confidence and be inclusive of all the young girls in our community. She is passionate about helping those in her community and serving as a role model.
Addie Sangster
Addie is the daughter of Corey and Cindy Sangster. Addie is involved in many clubs at Wenatchee High School, including DECA, HOSA, FBLA, and will soon join the CNA program. She joined DECA and HOSA last year, competing at the National Level for DECA and participating on the Anatomage Team for HOSA. Addie works at Dutch Bros and spends her free time volunteering at the Lighthouse. She’s also working on getting an internship at Confluence Health in order to maximize opportunities in the medical field. In her spare time, she enjoys going to the gym, spending quality time with family and friends, and enjoys snowboarding in the winter. After graduation, Addie plans to attend San Diego State University, hoping to earn a degree in public health and soak up the sun.
Addie’s favorite TV show is either Greys Anatomy or Outer Banks and her favorite movie is the Notebook. Her favorite song is “What You Heard” by Sonder and her favorite book is “Big Little Lies” by Liane Moriarty. She is most inspired by her older sisters and her most treasured possessions are letters or meaningful gifts from loved ones.
Addie’s favorite thing to do in Wenatchee Valley is explore the beautiful PNW- that is going on hikes, boating in Lake Chelan, snowboarding at Mission Ridge, and shopping in Leavenworth during Christmas time. Her proudest moment in life was inventing something to help people in elementary school. If Addie could trade places with anyone for the day, she would trade places with a world traveler. Addie feels she should represent Wenatchee Valley because of her love for the town and her desire to contribute something amazing to the community, impact others, and lead with kindness and inclusivity.
Yasmin Perez
Yasmin is the daughter of Santiago Perez and Isabet Torres. Yasmin enjoys learning more about health care by job shadowing at dental offices and also has a job working at a restaurant, Olive Garden. In her spare time she enjoys playing soccer or any sport with her siblings, playing the guitar and outdoor activities like hiking. After graduation Yasmin plans to pressure a career in the medical field to help care and provide for others who may not be aware how to access proper care.
Yasmin’s favorite TV show is The Challenge and her favorite movie is Avatar: The Way of Water. Her favorite song is “Die with a Smile” by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga. She is most inspired by her mom and dad’s strength and hard work. Her most treasured keepsake is a princess-themed stuffed bear that she received from her grandmother on her quinceañera. The bear holds deep sentimental value, as it was given in loving memory of her grandfather, who always saw her as his little princess.
Yasmin’s favorite activities in the Wenatchee Valley include exploring new stores to shop at and trying to learn how to ice skate. Her proudest moment was maintaining a spot on the Dean’s List at Wenatchee Valley College, demonstrating her dedication, hard work, and commitment to academic excellence. If Yasmin could trade places with anyone for the day, it would be her mini twin who is also her 3 year old sister Briella. Yasmin feels she should represent the Wenatchee Valley because she is the first generation in her family to further her studies while in high school by attending college. With that Yasmin hopes to encourage others to push through knowing anything is possible.
