Arroyo Valley Student Named Miss Black San Bernardino

Noelle Lilley takes the title as this year's Miss Black San Bernardino Queen after nabbing the crown during the 2014 Miss Black San Bernardino Pageant. Lilley, a 17 year old Arroyo Valley High School student, was in the running against six other young women for the crown: April Butler, Alaysia Clark, Bobbie McFerson, Abigail Roney, LeAnn Pollard and Ashley Roney. Lilley was joined in the court by first runner-up Leanna Pollard, a 20 year old Cal State San Bernardino student, and second runner-up Bobbie McFerson, a 16 year old Arroyo Valley High School student. "These young ladies are amazing and have been working hard for a chance to compete for the title of 2014 Miss Black San Bernardino," Lori Keith, Pageant Coordinator, who began working on the pageant this April, along with friend and co-choordinator Sandra Trapp, said. Competing women are African American community members in the Inland Empire between the ages of 16 and 21. "I feel the pageant was a success. I believe it has much more potential to become a high profile event with the right people with the same vision and on the same page. It takes everyone's help to raise money, (including) corporate sponsors who have a vested interest in helping the pageant achieve its financial goals, especially when you are looking to reward the competitors with any scholarship funding." The pageant event is hosted by the San Bernardino Black Culture Foundation, a local non-profit run by volunteers, who for 40 years have provided scholarships for community youth to help cover the cost of higher education. This year marked the pageant's 45th year. Lilley, an intern with The Westside Story newspaper, plans to attend Arizona State University and major in journalism after she graduates high school this year. Kieth said she feels pageants such as this one are beneficial for the young women who participate. "It creates a platform for young ladies who need guidance and encouragement in the areas of self esteem, etiquette, poise, grace, public speaking and developing their talents. To have the State Executive Director of the Miss Black California USA, Keisha Escamilla, and her Associate Director, Victoria Grimmett Rabb, attend our event was a very special honor for our contestants and community. Noelle Lilley, Queen, and Leanna Pollard, first runner up, were both selected to participate in the Miss Black California USA pageant this fall. We are excited to coach them this year up until the national event. Alaycia Clark will be running for the Miss Black Teen California USA this fall too. She was also a great contestant. The most rewarding thing was rehearsing with these young ladies every week!" This year the pageant was put on by a team including Sandra Tapp, April Siler, Patrice Pruitt, Karen Brown and Kieth.