A quartet vying to capture the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Queen crown debuted this weekend representing four groups, including one returning after a 73-year gap and another joining for the first time.

Approximately 400 people attended the Annual Elks Rodeo Queen Kickoff and Auction Dinner Saturday night at Elks Lodge.

The 83rd annual Santa Maria Elks Rodeo will occur with the Xtreme Bulls series event on May 27, followed by a full slate of competition over the next four days, May 28 to 31. The parade will take place May 30.

“We are officially kicked off,” said Steve Lavagnino, master of ceremonies. 

The event served as the introduction of the four: Annabella Williams for the Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club, Morgan Fasse for St. Joseph High School, Reiyna Sarin for the Allan Hancock College Bulldog Boosters, and Savannah Salcido for Kiwanis Club of Guadalupe.

Along with introducing the quartet, the kickoff launched efforts to raise thousands of dollars through various events held over the next eight weeks.

The winner of the Elks Rodeo Queen contest will be crowned during the Friday night performance on May 29. 

Over the decades, various queen candidates and sponsors have raised more $17 million distributed to youth recreation and other programs. 

The top fundraiser will replace 2025 Rodeo Queen Samantha McDonald, sponsored by Children’s Resource and Referral of Santa Barbara County .

As the four launch intense weeks of fundraising, McDonald encouraged the candidates to embrace the opportunities ahead.

“They will feel rewarded and fulfilled,” said McDonald, who graduated last year from Righetti High and now attends the University of San Francisco studying nursing. “And just be kind to everybody. Be kind to yourself and enjoy every moment.”

Los Alamos Valley Men’s Club 

Annabella Williams, a Righetti High School junior, declared she has the unique privilege to bring her community back to the queen campaign for the first time since 1953.

The Men’s Club helps support Los Alamos youths and families in various ways including sports equipment, scholarships and more, adding she is honored to help programs that benefitted her.

Williams said her mom ran and represented a different group, and shared stories about the fun experience.

“I’ve always wanted to run since I was a little girl, so it’s a dream come true that I’m finally able to do it,” Williams said.

She is a lifelong athlete, playing the position of catcher in softball, and more recently becoming a competitive cheerleader.

After high school, she said, she wants to attend college and enter the field of social work. 

Guadalupe Kiwanis Club 

Savannah Salcido, a Pioneer Valley High School senior active in FFA, represents the most consistent sponsor to participate in the queen contest.

She said she’s excited to support Kiwanis Club’s fundraising for the Guadalupe community, spanning from senior citizens to children.

“Through Kiwanis of Guadalupe, I’m super excited to let children know they can do whatever they like as well as long as they work hard and put their minds to it,” she added.

Salcido, who recalled doubting herself, said she wants to build confidence in others.

“I just want to make sure they know they’re beautiful, they’re smart and they’re amazing and they can do anything if they put their minds to it,” she said.

She intends to join the Army National Guard while pursuing her dream to become a labor and delivery nurse. 

AHC Bulldog Boosters

Reiyna Sarin, a sophomore at St. Joseph High, is running on behalf of the Hancock Athletics Booster Club. 

“I wanted to do something that was bigger than me,” she said.

As an athlete, she said she previously played tackle football including a year in high school and has served as varsity football team manager, roles she had thanks to many supporters even amid some doubters. 

She welcomed the chance to help Hancock student-athletes and programs.

“The student-athletes at Hancock shouldn’t have to do it alone either,” she added.

Once she graduates from high school, Sarin said she wants to attend college to study business and psychology.

St. Joseph High School

Fasse, a senior at St. Joseph, hopes to assist her school’s athletic programs. 

“I wanted to run because I love giving back to the community,” Fasse said.

Sports programs at her school involve more than games, instilling discipline, teamwork and school spirit, she said.

“This campaign is about coming together and supporting something bigger than ourselves and investing in the future of St. Joseph High School,” she sad.

While attending St. Joseph, Fasse said she founded the school’s Kindness Club to create a more positive and inclusive environment on campus and encouraging other students to give back to the community.

After high school, she said she plans to attend the University of Mississippi and major in business management. 

Parade Honorees Introduced 

The kickoff event also included the revelation of the Elks Rodeo Parade honorees. 

The theme of this year’s parade, starting at 10 a.m. May 30, is “America’s 250th Anniversary.”

Local businessman Patrick Cusack has been named parade grand marshal. 

Cusack owns several auto dealerships and recently revived the Santa Maria Speedway, a dirt track built in 1964 in southern San Luis Obispo County just north of the Santa Maria River. 

Junior Grand Marshal Emmy Pompa, a student at Ralph Dunlap School, also was introduced Saturday night. 

The girl also boasts being a State Elks Hoop Shoot competition winner. 

Additional Recognition Given 

Santa Maria resident Isabella Holtman, a Trivium Charter School fifth-grader, will serve as Miss Mini Rodeo. 

Thomas Salamacha, a fifth-grader at Ralph Dunlap Elementary School, has been selected as the Junior Barrelman.

Along with live, silent and dessert auctions by John and Taylor Glines, the event included putting Joey Silva in the spotlight to recognize his role and present him a pair of custom boots.

A devoted volunteer who dedicated “countless hours,” Silva oversees the grounds at the 107-acre Santa Maria Elks/Unocal Event Center, which has captured multiple awards for having top-notch dirt in the arena. 

For more information about other Elks Rodeo events and to purchase tickets go to www.elksrec.com.