Written by Trenten Hilburn   
Photo by Brian Kanof
Katherine Foust has been named the 2007 Sun Queen.
Katherine Foust, a senior English major at Texas A&M University, is the 2007 Sun Queen. She is the daughter of Marvin Foust. 

 

Ashley Marchena, a senior international business major at the University of Texas at El Paso has been named the 2007 Lady-In-Waiting. She is the daughter of Luther & Maureen Marchena.

The 2007 Sun Princesses are Whitney Allen, Tessa Alvarez, Marisa Galan, Krystle Graveline, Davi Kalman, Brenda Medina, Emily Moody, Madalyn Morales, Celeste Nevarez, Chanel Rizk and Briana Rodriguez.

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, State Farm Sun Bowl Basketball Tournament, Sun Bowl Volleyball Invitational, Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic, Little Caesars Sun Bowl International Soccer Tournament, NFL Punt, Pass & Kick, Art in the Park, Midnight Basketball, Dia de los Libros/Dia de los Ninos and high school athletic banquets.


The 2007 Sun Queen is Katherine Foust, the daughter of Marvin Foust. She is a senior English major at Texas A&M University.  A top three percent graduate of Franklin High School, Katherine was a member of the National Honor Society, marching band, wind symphony and jazz band.   She is currently a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority where she has served as Vice President of Member Development, a mentor to At-Risk Members, and a Greek Ambassador for Texas A&M Department of Greek Life.  Katherine is listed as a candidate for graduation with honors in the Texas A&M University honors program.  She has received numerous honors awards to include Dean's Honor Roll in the Mays School of Business, Golden Key International Honor Society "Silver Key Award" recipient, and the Phi Eta Sigma National Honors Society.  Katherine volunteers her time at Mitchell Elementary, the Barbara Bush Parent Center, and is a mentor for the "Helping One Student to Succeed" program.


The 2007 Lady-In-Waiting is Ashley Marchena, the daughter of Luther & Maureen Marchena. She is a senior international business major at the University of Texas at El Paso.  A graduate of Silva Magnet School where she was active in student council, track and cheerleading as well as being a member of the Health Occupations Students of America, and the National Honor Society.  Ashley is currently a member of two honor societies, Alpha Lambda Delta, and Sigma Alpha Lambda. She has been named to the Dean's List, as well as being a member of University Democrats, and the Student Alumni Association.  Ashley is also the vice president of her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha.  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, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and the Daughters of the British Empire Club.


Whitney Allen, the daughter of Steve and Carol Allen, is a senior communications major at Texas A&M University.  A top ten percent graduate from Coronado High School, she was a member and officer in the band and FFA and also a member of the National Honor Society, and the National FFA Band that performed in Louisville, Kentucky at the National FFA Convention.  Whitney currently serves as an elected official as the Class Historian and is involved in the Class Councils organization whose goals is to raise funds for a class gift.  Whitney is a Dean's List, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, and National Society of Collegiate Scholars member.  Whitney volunteers her time with the Brazos Animal Shelter and the Brazos Food Bank.   


Tessa Alvarez, the daughter of Jesse and Armida Alvarez, is a junior general business major at St. Mary's University.  A graduate from Loretto Academy where she active in athletics lettering in volleyball and basketball, as well as a member of the LaSallion Youth Club that did community projects in Juarez and El Paso.  Theresa is a proud member of the Delta Zeta sorority, where she has held the positions of Sunshine and Gracious Living Chair and Ritual Chair.  Theresa is actively involved in the Student Orientation Association as a host for freshmen students during their orientation.  Theresa volunteers her time to many organization that include Habitat fro Humanity, the Ronald McDonald House, Boys and Girl Town, the San Antonio Food Bank and the Sunshine Cottage School for the Hearing Impaired.  


Marisa Galan, the daughter of Kerry and Jan Galan, is a junior pharmacy major at the University of Texas.  A graduate from Franklin High School, she was a member of the National Honor Society and Spanish Honor Society as well as being a recipient of Who's Who Among High School Students.  Marisa has extensive dance training in ballet, tap, jazz, clogging, modern, pointe, character, lyrical and hip hop.  Marisa is currently involved with the Pre-Pharmacy Organization and served as their Historian this past year.  She is a member of the American Chemical Society of Students, and the American Pharmacy Association.  Marisa was recently selected to act as a peer leader at UTEP for first semester general chemistry students.  Marisa donates her time in the community helping out at the Ronald McDonald House, the Child Crisis Center, the Mother/Daughter Program, and served as a Girl Scout co-leader with Bill Childress Elementary School's troop.


Krystle Graveline, the daughter of Phillip and Irma Graveline, is a sophomore psychology and pre-professional studies major at the University of Notre Dame.  She was a top three percentile graduate from Maxine L. Silva Health Magnet High School, where she was the junior and senior class president.  Krystle was a recipient of the Who's Who in American High School Sports, as well as a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society.  Krystle currently belongs to the University of Notre Dame's MSPS Building Bridges Mentorship Program and a member of Notre Dame's Social Concerns Committee.  Krystle volunteers her time to the Susan B. Komen Foundation Teens for the Cure and the American Red Cross.


Davi Kalman, the daughter of Eddie and Rebecca Kallman, is a sophomore business major at the University of Texas at El Paso.  A graduate from Coronado High School, she was involved in many student organizations to include student council, art club, the National Honor Society, and PSA executive council to name a few.  Davi is currently a member of the Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society and the Student Government Association as a Senator at Large.  Davi keeps actively involved in the Filipino Student Association, Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, and the Honors Council.  Davi spends her volunteer efforts with the Habitat for Humanity, Transitional Living Center, Talmud Torah Tutor, Polo for a Purpose, Pink Lady for American Cancer Society, Race for the Cure, La Posada Home, and Skate for the Cure.  


Brenda Medina, the daughter of Rosalinda Medina, is a senior electronic media major at the University of Texas at El Paso.  A graduate from Montwood High School, where she was named the junior and senior class president along with being inducted into the National Honor Society, Who's Who Among American High School Students, the National Vocational Technical Honor Society, and the Future Business Leaders of America.  Brenda is currently an active member of the Sigma Alpha Lambda Honor Society as well as being the co-founder and vice president of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists at UTEP.  When she is not studying or doing an internship with local or away news stations, Brenda donates her time as a volunteer for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Organization.


Emily Moody, the daughter of William and Maggie Moody, is a senior psychology major at Texas Tech University.  A graduate from Coronado High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society, the Speech and Debate team and the girls basketball team.  Additionally Emily was honored to be a debutante for the El Paso Symphony Guild.  Emily is currently involved in the Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-med Honor Society and Chi Rho, a Catholic student's fraternity where she serves as president.  Emily donates her summers at the Jewish Community Center with Camp Kadima, a summer camp for special needs kids.  She also volunteers her time to many other organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House, Buckner's Children's Home, Race for the Cure, Relay for Life, March of Dimes, Habitat for Humanity, Women's Protective Services, and the Garrison Center. 


Madalyn Morales, the daughter of David and Ramona Morales, is a junior early childhood education major at New Mexico State University.  A top four percent graduate from Franklin High School where she was a Texas Scholars Award recipient as well as a member for the National Honor Society, a Senator for Class Council, and a Who's Who Among High School Students.  Madalyn is currently on the National Dean's List and received the Collegiate All-American Scholar Award.  Madalyn is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the Alpha National Chi Honor Society.  Madalyn volunteers at Jose Damian Elementary School and at St. Luke's Catholic Church.


Celeste Nevarez, the daughter of Victor and Penny Nevarez, is a senior psychology major at Texas Tech University.  A top ten percent graduate from Eastwood High School where she participated in student government and varsity cheerleading.  Celeste is currently on the Dean's Academic list along with being a member of Psi Chi the psychology honor society, Sigman Alpha Lambda academic fraternity, Catholic Student Association, Psychology Club Activities Chair, and the Social Justice Committee missions chair.  Celeste volunteers her time as a peer counselor for S.T.A.R.T. - Students Tackling Abusive Relationships Together, Raider Awakening, and Relay for Life.  


Chanel Rizk, the daughter of David and Gezelle Rizk, is a sophomore business major at Southern Methodist University.  A graduate from Loretto Academy where she participated in many organizations such as, student government, student council, and a reporter for the school newspaper.  Chanel was chosen to represent El Paso by the El Paso Symphony at the annual Texas State Jewel Ball in Austin, this past October.  Chanel is a current member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority, the Union/Mustang 11, which is a student government and spirit organization, Campus Crusaders and the FYSH Group.  Chanel donates her time to the Humane Society, the Learning Center, and Tierra Madre.     


Briana Rodriguez, the daughter of Charles and Sandra Rodriguez, is a junior finance and management major at the University of Texas at El Paso.  A graduate from Loretto Academy where she was team captain and setter for the volleyball team.  Briana is currently a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha women's fraternity where she has held numerous executive positions to include Vice President II New Member Coordinator, Vice President III Membership Chairman, and Treasurer.  Briana is also a member of two honors fraternities: Alpha Lambda Delta and Sigma Alpha Lambda.  Briana continues to participate in many community service projects including Breast Cancer Awareness & Education, Race for the Cure, American Can Food Drive and volunteers at the Rescue Mission and the Transitional Living Center.


2007 SUN COURT

 2007 Sun Queen

 

 

 

 Katherine Foust

Sr.

Texas A&M University

English

 2007 Lady-In-Waiting

 

 

 

 Ashley Marchena

Sr.

University of Texas at El Paso

International Business

 2007 Sun Princesses

 

 

 

 Whitney Allen

Sr.

Texas A&M University

Communications

 Tessa Alvarez

Jr.

St. Mary's University

Business

 Marissa Galan

Jr.

University of Texas

Pharmacy

 Krystle Graveline

So.

University of Notre Dame

Psychology

 Davi Kalman

So.

University of Texas at El Paso

Business

 Brenda Medina

Sr.

University of Texas at El Paso

Electronic Media

 Emily Moody

Sr.

Texas Tech University

Psychology

 Madalyn Morales

Jr.

New Mexico State University

Education

 Celeste Nevarez

Sr.

Texas Tech University

Psychology

 Chanel Rizk

So.

Southern Methodist University

Business

 Briana Rodriguez

Jr.

University of Texas at El Paso

Finance