Sun Bowl Announces 2009 Sun Court

Stephanie Smith Named 2009 Sun Queen

Stephanie Smith

EL PASO, Texas (August 7, 2009) - The 2009 Sun Queen and Sun Princesses were announced tonight by Sun Bowl Association President Frank Bates at the Sun Court Coronation Party at El Paso Country Club.

Stephanie Smith, a graduate of the University of Texas pursuing additional coursework, is the 2009 Sun Queen. She is the daughter of Dr. Oliver and Laurie Smith.

Allison Avalos, a senior exercise and sports science major at St. Mary's University has been named the 2009 Lady-In-Waiting. She is the daughter of Ben and Terry Avalos.

The 2009 Sun Princesses are Caylor Ballinger, Emily Cancellare, Lindsey Collins, Courtney Deane, Amanda Morales, Naomi Nuñez, Nancy Ojeda, Dianna Parra and Deana Sosa.

Judging is based on poise, appearance, personality, communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to demonstrate knowledge of El Paso. Contestants must be enrolled as full-time students. The coronation has been a tradition in El Paso since the first collegiate Sun Bowl game in 1936.

Sun Court members serve as ambassadors for the Sun Bowl Association, as well as for the City of El Paso. The Sun Queen and Sun Princesses will attend various community events, such as the Brut Sun Bowl, FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade, Sun Bowl Basketball Tournament, Sun Bowl Volleyball  Invitational, Western Refining Sun Bowl All-America Golf Classic, Academy Sports + Outdoors Sun Bowl International Soccer Tournament, Price's Give 'Em Five Sun Bowl Punt, Pass & Kick Sectional Competition, Art in the Park, Dia de los Libros/Dia de los Ninos and several other various events and camps.

The 2009 Sun Queen is Stephanie Smith, the daughter of Dr. Oliver and Laurie Smith. She is a 2009 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor's of Science degree in corporate communications. She is currently pursuing extra coursework in business with a focus on marketing and sales.  An Eastwood High School graduate, she was a member of the varsity cheerleading squad, student government, the National Honor Society and Who's Who Among American High School Students.  Stephanie served as the 2004 Miss El Paso Teen USA where she had the opportunity to represent El Paso throughout the state.  Stephanie was selected to co-host a campus show entitled "The Longhorn Pulse." Currently, she is a member of National Collegiate Scholars. She serves as a HOSTS (Helping One Student To Succeed) mentor and is an ASPCA Guardian Angel donor.

The 2009 Lady-in-Waiting is Allison Avalos, the daughter of Ben and Terry Avalos. She is a senior exercise and sports science major at St. Mary's University. A graduate from Chapin High School, she was a varsity volleyball player, earning Class 4A Academic All-State honors and second team All-State honors. Allison received numerous scholarships to include an Athletic Scholarship and Presidential Academic Scholarship at St. Mary's University.  She is currently a member of the Rattlers volleyball team, where she received the Heartland Conference President's Academic Award.  Allison is the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee at St. Mary's. She is also a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society and the High Honors Dean's List. She also volunteers her time coaching youth volleyball.

2009 Sun Princesses

Caylor Ballinger, the daughter of Ron and Lorrie Ballinger, is a senior journalism major at Texas Tech University, minoring in secondary education and Spanish. A graduate of Franklin High School, Caylor was a member of the yearbook and student government, as well as serving as a cheerleader. She was a member of the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society. She currently serves as a reporter for the Texas Tech Daily Toreador and is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, where she currently severs as vice president. Caylor is a member of the Chi Omega sorority and Rho Lambda honors and community service women's fraternity. She has also volunteered with Make-A-Wish, Relay For Life and Habitat For Humanity.

Emily Cancellare, the daughter of the late Leo and Vera Cancellare, is a senior biology major at St. Mary's University, where she earned a Presidential Scholarship. A graduate of Loretto Academy, she is a certified lifeguard who is fluent in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Emily is a member of the St. Mary's Rattlers cheerleading squad and has been named to the Dean's List twice. She has also participated in a pair of St. Mary's theatrical productions. Emily spent 13 years as a member of the El Paso Aqua Posse and currently provides swimming lessons to children under 10. She also volunteers at All Saints Catholic Church and Thomason Hospital.

Lindsey Collins, the daughter of Timothy and Sandra Collins, is a senior speech and hearing services major at the University of Arizona. She is a Coronado High School graduate, where Lindsey was a member of the Thunderbird golf team and a member of the National Honor Society and the Japanese Club. At Arizona, she is a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority, the National Student Speech, Language and Hearing Association (NSSLHA) and the Wesley Foundation Methodist Student Ministry. She has served as both a swimming instructor and lifeguard and spent this summer as an instructor at the Mad Science Camp. She has also volunteered at the University Medical Center in Tucson and currently assists a quadriplegic man in Tucson.

Courtney Deane, the daughter of Christopher and Colleen Deane, is a senior biochemistry major at St. Mary's University. She is a graduate of Hanks High School and was named Miss El Paso for 2008. She received the Board of Trustees Scholarship to St. Mary's University, where she has been recognized with Highest Honors on the Dean's List for six straight semesters. She also was awarded the Fullbright Academic Award and the Miss America State Academic Award while competing in the Miss Texas 2009 Pageant. Courtney is a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Scholastic Honor Fraternity, the Beta Beta Beta Biological Society and the American Chemistry Society of Students. Courtney is also a member of the Code Blue Dance Team and the Rattler Cross Country Team at St. Mary's.

Amanda Morales, the daughter of David and Ramona Morales, is a junior accounting major at Texas Tech University. She is a graduate of Franklin High School, where she was named to Who's Who Among American High School Students and was also a member of student government, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and Math Honor Society. A member of the Texas Tech President's List, Amanda is involved in the Hispanic Business Student Association, where she serves as secretary. She was awarded the Jimmy Gilabert Scholarship and the Rawls College of Business General Scholarship. Amanda has volunteered with Damian Elementary School, St. Luke's Catholic Church, Thomason Hospital and Fort Bliss.

Naomi Nuñez, the daughter of Joe and Silvia Nuñez, is a senior education major at the University of Texas at El Paso. She is a graduate of Coronado High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society and earned All-State Band honors. She has spent the past three years volunteering with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of El Paso, where she has served as a mentor. Naomi also volunteers at St. Matthew's Catholic Parish, where she is involved in the music ministry, Lifeteen Program, soup kitchens and Casas Por Cristo. She has also served as a tutor at the UTEP Literacy Camp, helping young children learn how to read.

Nancy Ojeda, the daughter of Maria Ortega, is a senior bilingual major at the University of Texas at El Paso. She is a graduate of Silva Magnet High School and is heavily involved in the community. Nancy has volunteered with Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure, Extreme Home Makeover, Easter at the Orphanage, Jack Rabbit Race, Diabetes Walk, American Can Food Drive, Children First and the Muscular Dystrophy Association. She is also a member of New Delta sorority and Alpha Rho Omega and APO. She also works at Tejas School of Choice, where she aids students in math, science, history and English.

Diana Parra, the daughter of Juan and Paula Parra, is a sophomore electronic media major at the University of Texas at El Paso. She is a graduate of Del Valle High School, where she was awarded the Conquistador Award and the Rebecca Flores Stopka Scholarship. At Del Valle, she was also involved in the National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, student government, Film Club and cheerleading. At UTEP, she is also involved in student government and is a member of the EXCEL Program. An avid volunteer, Diana has given her time to the El Paso Police Pride Day, Thanksgiving Can Food Drive, Teddy Bears From The Heart, Child Crisis Center Christmas Toy Drive and Amigo Airsho.

Deane Sosa, the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth Sosa, is a senior mathematics and psychology major at the University of Texas at El Paso. A graduate of Montwood High School,  Deane is the founder and president of New Delta Sorority, She also serves on the Greek Life Leadership Council and was a part of the Alpha Kappa Lambda Sweetheart Program. She was awarded the Outstanding President of the Year at the UTEP Greek Awards. She also has volunteered with the North American Canned Food Drive, Adopt-a-Highway, the El Paso Diabetes Association, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Child Advocacy Center.