Summer has inched past the mid-July point, and in Woodburn that means Fiesta Mexicana is on the horizon.
This year’s gala is scheduled for Friday through Sunday, Aug. 16-18, at Legion Park on Park Ave.: noon to 11 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. This year’s 60th anniversary of the event will again feature all the attractions that have grown into the festivity over the years: more than 60 vendors, a soccer tournament, car show, parade, scads of live music and entertainment, Lucha Libre, Lotteria, carnival draws and, of course, the Fiesta Mexicana Court.
Traditionally, the Fiesta Court coronation takes place in the Downtown Plaza the Saturday before Fiesta weekend; this year there will be a car show and vendors from 4 to 7 p.m. Aug 10, with the coronation taking place between 6 and 7 p.m. With 10 members, this year’s court sports another talented array of area youth eager to represent the community and their culture with pride.
Court advisor and city of Woodburn Community Relations Manager Yanira Herrera stressed that every year Fiesta Court’s leadership development program provides participants with an opportunity to develop existing skills and encounter new opportunities to learn and grow, empowering the next generation of leaders to be skilled, compassionate, give back to their community and embrace their culture.
Members participate in skill-building workshops such as identity, cultural awareness, resume building, interviewing, financial literacy, and a bounty of community activities. Their community service hours include a self-directed community service project, presentations, and support at city events throughout the year – not just during fiesta days.
“Fiesta Court is a leadership development program that provides participants the opportunity to develop their existing skills as well as introduces new opportunities to learn and grow, empowering the next generation of leaders to be skilled and compassionate,” Herrera said. “Many of the youth serving on this year’s Fiesta Court are first generation students who have a passion for sharing their culture and giving back to their community.”
About the court
The Woodburn Fiesta Mexicana Court is open to any 11th or 12th grade student in the North Marion County area, who meet eligibility requirements. Those requirements include:
o A Student enrolled in any of the following high schools: Woodburn, Gervais, North Marion, Mt. Angel, St. Paul, or Silverton. A student who lives in the previously mentioned school districts and is home schooled or attending a high school equivalent institution or a charter school is eligible to apply.
o A high school Junior or graduating senior during the 2023/2024 school year.
o In possession of a 2.5 GPA or better; must submit current high school transcript.
o Bi-lingual in both English and Spanish.
Meet the 2024 Fiesta Court
Aliyah Calderon
Woodburn High School
I joined the Fiesta Court because I would like to be a big part of the community and to be a familiar face around town and be able to help around in our community. Another reason why I joined is because I am proud to be a member of this wonderful and diverse community and I would love to be able to be a good representation of our lovely community.
I have included myself in a couple activities since 8th grade. I really enjoy playing sports and being a part of a team therefore I would try to join as many sports as possible. So for the only sport I have not joined would be Football, softball, and cross country. I've also joined smile club and gardening club.
Betzabet Gascar
Woodburn High School
Being part of one of my community’s biggest event of the year will add purpose to my goal in life: That is to serve the place that helped me thrive. In addition to this, I will meet amazing kids whose goals in life are as spectacular as the town itself. They are the future, and I would like to be part of the experience where we learn and contribute to the wellbeing of the community we share.
• 4 years of volleyball
• 2 years of Track and Field
• Yearbook club secretary
• Boys & Girls Club Oregon Youth of the Year
Flannery Kinsey Santiago Valencia
Woodburn High School
I joined the Fiesta Court because I want to be more involved in my community as well as with my culture. I want to get out there and help people because that is a big way to create a stronger bond with the community. I’m also doing it because it is my passion to get to know more about my beloved culture.
• Monarcas Club
• On Track Club
• Juntos
• PCUN Garden
• Link Crew
• HOSA
I have volunteered throughout Woodburn for the past 3 years and I look forward to continuing to do so.
Irene Rodriguez Estrada
Chemeketa Community College Woodburn Center – Early College
I became a part of Fiesta Court with the aim to inspire young Latinas, drawing inspiration from my older sister Maira, who was an example of empowerment when she was honored as Fiesta Mexicana Queen in 2009. Giving back to the community that has nurtured me for the past 18 years brings me immense joy, and bring part of the Fiesta Court affords me the perfect avenue to do that.
• Early College through Chemeketa Community College
• Student Association of Woodburn, Vice President
• Wresting
• Cross Country
• Woodburn High School Mariachi
• Concert and Jazz Band
Will be attending George Fox University with aspirations to pursue a career in anesthesiology. Was awarded the Ford Family Foundation Scholarship in addition to the George Fox Merit Scholarship, totaling $232,000.
Jazmine Ortiz
Woodburn High School
I joined fiesta Court because it allows me to get to know my community on a more deeper level. It has also been a dream of mine when I was young to be a princess and by being in the fiesta court, I can finally achieve that and actually understand the weight that a crown holds on a princess.
• SMILE Club - 2018- present
• Key Club (president 2021-2024)- 2020-present OHSU OnTrack(Secretary 2023-present) 2022-present
• TURNO- 2024- present
• Link Crew- 2022-2023
• Tennis- 2023
• Yearbook 2023- present
Some accomplishments of mine are
WHS Mariachi
Global leadership Certificate ambassador President of Key Club for the past 3 years and grew membership from 9- 60 Secretary of OHSU OnTrack In 2023 I Ran a fundraiser for hurricane Ian and raised $135 and Helped begin an elementary mentoring program called Leoncitos with a local elementary school Peer ambassador for WHS
Jose Solis-Gomez
Woodburn High School
I joined the fiesta court because I always wanted to see a prince or king join the court during the fiesta mexicana. But now while I’m given the chance to do that myself and spark a change I hope to cause a new trend where there will be more princes and kings to come for the future years of this well known celebration.
• Monarcas – Service Club
• Mariachi
Singing and dancing is always some of my favorite things to do and I will very proudly do it for hours. I’m a hard worker and have worked all throughout high school facing not only the challenges of school but balancing it with work.
Kaylee Rachel Arroyo
Woodburn High School
The reason I decided to join the Fiesta Court was because I wanted to push myself out of my comfort zone. I didn’t grow up with my culture and I don’t know much about it, but it is okay because I am learning as I am going.
• National Honors Society
• Key Club
• Ontrack OHSU, Recruitment Officer
• Woodburn High School American Red Cross Club
• Link Crew
• Woodburn High School Choir
• Volleyball – 4 years (2 years in varsity)
• Basketball – 2 years (Team Manager 1 yr)
• Track and Field – 4 years (3 years varsity)
Perla Barragan – Chavez
Woodburn High School
I joined Fiesta Court because I would like to create relationships with individuals and I wish to further develop my leadership skills to help other, because I say that we as a diverse community have the culture and roots in which they should be seen and learned from.
I would like to connect more to my roots and see the importance of having representation of who I am in this community, the daughter of immigrant parents.
Clubs and Sports:
• Monarcas Club
• Peer Ambassador
• Family University Volunteer
• Link Crew
• Key Club
• National Honor Society (master web officer)
• Close Up Program – a week long trip to Washington DC to learn and encourage people to participate in civic affairs and government.
• United States Hispanic Leadership Institute – learned the principles of democracy by promoting education and leadership development
Vanessa Perez Marcelino
North Marion High School
Since the first time I went to Fiesta Mexicana I wanted to participate in the Fiesta Court. I enjoyed going up to the participants and asking them why they joined and if anyone can participate. I was always told I could participate when I was older and now that I am, I’m glad I can. I want to encourage others to participate and embrace who they are.
I enjoy writing poetry and playing guitar for other people
Yatzil Morales
Silverton High School
I joined Fiesta Court because of the experience. My club Advisor, Mr Rivera told me about this opportunity so I decided to look into it. After reading what it was about I decided that this would be a good opportunity to learn, strengthen, and expand my leadership skills. I also wanted to be able and represent my culture and school. I believe that this experience would be something meaningful that I could share with my fellow club members in the Eagles Club so that they would possibly do it in the future.
• Silverton High School Eagles Club, President – a culture awareness club that focuses on celebrating cultures
• Key Club - 2 years
• Tennis – 2 years
• Link Crew
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