She's all that!...And now she's Miss Ramona!
By Tracy Rolling

Kelly Haynes, Miss Ramona 2007

Kelly Haynes was crowned Miss Ramona and winner of the 2007 Miss Ramona Scholarship Pageant on Saturday, April 21.

She said that she was shocked she won, especially because this was the first pageant she has participated in. She said that up until they announced the winner, she felt every girl had a chance and speculated that her answer on an impromptu question may have helped her to stand out.

The daylong competition began when the out-of-town judges interviewed the contestants. The contestants then delivered a prepared speech, which was followed by a sportswear competition and an eveningwear competition. The affair concluded with an impromptu question.

Kelly Haynes has lived in Ramona for 10 years. She is 17 years old and the daughter of Carl and Colleen Haynes and the sister of Cody Haynes.

She is a senior at Ramona High School with a 4.0 grade point average. She is an active member of a variety of campus organizations like Yellow Ribbon Club, a teen suicide prevention program, and Ready to Learn, a peer mentoring program that encourages students to get back on track with their studies.

Kelly Haynes, Miss Ramona 2007, center; Kristle Peck, first runner-up; and Sara Barnat, second runner-up. Photos by Carol Kinney

After graduation, Kelly plans on attending Palomar Community College for two years before attending Point Loma Nazerine University, where she will major in athletic training and sports medicine.

With her sophisticated can-do attitude she plans on working with children and teens while serving as ambassador of Ramona. She hopes to co-host a community event with Mother's Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) in an effort to promote safe driving.

As a team member of the Ramona High Varsity cheer squad for four years, Kelly is no stranger to encouraging public enthusiasm. She says that she looks forward to representing the community of Ramona.

Kelly's first event as Miss Ramona was a showcase at Ramona High School on Wednesday, April 26. She was escorted by her court: Kristle Peck, first runner-up; and Sara Barnat, second runner-up. Sara was also selected as Miss Congeniality and received the Director's Award.

Haynes is crowned by Ashleigh Schulte, Miss Ramona 2006.

Kelly's calendar is beginning to fill with events and appearances and she will be attending the Lakeside Rodeo, Ramona's Relay for Life, Ramona Chamber of Commerce mixers, the Ramona Rodeo and the Ramona Fair.

Contestants eagerly anticipate results.