The 2006 Sun Queen is Briana Torres, the daughter of Enrique and Patricia Torres. She is a junior at Vanderbilt University, majoring in economics. A graduate of El Paso Eastwood High School, Briana graduated fifth in her class in 2004 and was named Dean’s List at Vanderbilt University. She was a two-sport varsity athlete, earning letters in both soccer and track. As a senior, she was named Female Soccer Player of the Year by the El Paso Times. She currently volunteers her time for Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee and Vanderbuddies, a mentor program for inner-city high school students. She has also volunteered with the Child Crisis Center, Rescue Mission, and served as a counselor at the National Hispanic Institute.

The 2006 Lady-In-Waiting is Andrea Hudson, the daughter of Terry and Linda Hudson.  She is a senior education major with a minor in Spanish at Texas Tech University.  A graduate of El Paso Franklin High School, she is a member of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority and the Red Raider Club.  She is a member of the Dean’s List, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the Southern Federation of Academic Scholars, and the Omega Kappa Delta Honors Fraternity.  She is a MED Club Scholar and an El Paso Panhellinic Scholar.  Andrea has volunteered her time with St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital Cancer Charities, the Iglesia de Dios Food and Clothing Drive for underprivileged families in Juarez, Mexico and the South Plains Food Bank.

Kelly Ardoin, the daughter of Wade & Carlisle Ardoin, is a junior education major at Texas Tech University.  A graduate of El Paso Eastwood High School where she was the Trooper Award winner, cheerleader, a member of the National Honor Society,  a member of Peer Assistance and Leadership Skills, a student council member and graduated in the top 10 percent of in her class.  Kelly, a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, is also a representative of President’s Select where she is involved with student-athlete recruitment and provides visitor tours of campus.  Kelly has been very involved in both the El Paso and Lubbock communities volunteering her time at the Ronald McDonald House, the Haven Humane Society, Gift to the Mountain, Pride Day, March of Dimes and the Rotary Readers, which is a group that reads to elementary school children.

Vanessa Campos, the daughter of Alfredo & Lyzza Campos, is a senior international business and economics major at New York University. A graduate of El Paso Socorro High School where she was a member of numerous groups such as Peers Education Peers about Substances, Mentoring USA, French Honor Society, National Honor Society, and the National Vocational-Technical Honor Society.  Vanessa recently studied abroad in Prague, Czech Republic where she took classes in global business environment.  She has held numerous internships in the New York City trying to gain as much experience as she can in the international business and economics field.  Vanessa is currently sponsoring a young girl in the Philippines named Vanessa Mira, through Children’s International.

Mallory Driggers, daughter of Randy and Pam Driggers, is a junior public relations major at Baylor University.  A graduate of El Paso Franklin High School, Mallory was a member of the National Honor Society, FHS Marching Band and a varsity cheerleader.  She was a 2003 El Paso Symphony Guild Debutante and represented the guild as the "Amber of El Paso" at the Austin Symphony League Jewel Ball in 2005.  Mallory is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Baylor Ambassadors and the Baylor Student Foundation.  An active member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, she has served as Formal Recruitment Chair and currently serves as Vice President of Recruitment.  Mallory was named 2004 Greek New Member of the Year and 2005 Greek Sophomore Woman of the Year.  Mallory volunteers her time with various organizations including the Ronald McDonald House, Operation Christmas Child and Steppin' Out, a Baylor tradition in which the student body joins together to help those in need in the Waco community.

Katherine Foust, the daughter of Marvin Foust, is a junior English major at Texas A&M University.  A top three percent graduate of El Paso Franklin High School, Katherine was a member of the National Honor Society, marching band, wind symphony and jazz band.   She is currently the Vice President of Member Development in the Pi Beta Phi sorority.  She has volunteered her time to the Barbara Bush Parent Center, Grace Bible Church Women’s Bible Study group and the Bryan ISD Hosts Program.

Kristina Kniest, the daughter of Thomas & Marisela Kniest, is a sophomore business administration major at the University of Texas at El Paso. A graduate of El Paso Loretto Academy, Kristina is a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority where she holds the position of public relations officer.  Volunteering with H.O.P.E. (Helping Out People Everywhere), the Rescue Mission, the Las Colonias House Building Project, Race for the Cure, and the North American Food Drive are just some organizations that Kristina donates her time to.

Martha “Jessie” Lyle, the daughter of the late Tita and Flip Lyle, is a junior anthropology major at the University of Texas at Austin.  A graduate of El Paso High School, where she was voted Who’s Who Among American High School Students, Martha was inducted in the National Honor Society and the captain of the varsity swim team where she competed in the regional competition. Martha most recently volunteered her time at Govalle Elementary School in Austin mentoring at risk students.

Ashley Marchena, the daughter of Luther & Maureen Marchena, is a junior business major at the University of Texas at El Paso.  A graduate of El Paso Silva Magnet School, Ashley is a member of two honor societies, Alpha Lambda Delta, and Sigma Alpha Lambda at UTEP as well as a member of the Dean’s List.  Last year Ashley was the vice president of her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, and has held other member position in her short time in the sorority.  Outside of the national philanthropy involvement that her sorority does for Breast Cancer Awareness and Education, Ashley volunteers with other organizations such as the Rescue Mission, the American Cancer Society, and the Daughters of the British Empire Club.

Jennifer Mendoza, the daughter of Martha & Daen Mendoza, is a senior psychology major at Texas Tech University.  A graduate of El Paso Hanks High School where she lettered in sports training, yearbook, and technical theatre along with being active in student council.  Jennifer was a member of the National Honor Roll and National Honor Society while at Hanks.  Jennifer is an active member not only in her sorority of Sigma Phi Lambda, but also in a organization called “Mentor Tech” which is a program for helping minority students.  Jennifer volunteers her time to the Hispanic Student Society, “My Father’s House,” a shelter for homeless women and children and also “Dame La Mano” a homeless shelter in El Paso.

Kelcey Wells, the daughter of Kevin Wells & Clara Lugo, is a senior journalism and mass communication major at New Mexico State University.  A graduate of El Paso Hanks High School, Kelcey was a member of the National Honor Society, student council, advanced theatre arts and named to Who’s Who.  She is a member of the National Dean’s List, College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s List, Crimson Honors Scholar, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the NMSU Broadcaster’s Organization.  Outside of her busy school schedule, Kelcey volunteers in both the El Paso and Las Cruces communities for various organization such as “Toss No Más” a campaign by the New Mexico Clean and Beautiful organization, Salvation Army of El Paso, and the United Blood Services.