On Saturday, September 21, 15 young ladies from San Bernardino High School (SBHS) competed for the title of Miss Cardinal City and the privilege to represent SBHS, aka Cardinal City, and the community for a year.
The pageant, which is in its 15th year, promotes school pride, self-esteem, and community involvement. Pageant director and founder Jaime Rios takes the young ladies to read to younger children, volunteer in soup kitchens, and attend community functions.
After a great competition between the girls and much deliberation, Bertha “Bertita” Arias-Ochoa was crowned Miss Cardinal City 2019–2020 on September 21, 2019.
Bertha “Bertita” Arias-Ochoa
Favorite Subject: Economics
Least-Favorite Subject: Math
Extra-Curricular Activities: ASB vice president, DUAL Club vice president, Sobobans, Spanish Honor Society, Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Why are you proud of being an SBHS Cardinal? Why I’m proud of being an SBHS Cardinal is simple, because we’re the very best. Here at San Bernardino High School, we excelled in multiple athletic achievements and also in academics. The fact that our school is actually labeled as its own city is pretty remarkable.
Contestant Profiles
Remijia “Remi” Plascencia
Extra-Curricular Activities: Sabobans vice president, AcaDeca secretary, Senior Class vice president, DUAL club, Spanish Honor Society, Power to Change
Why are you proud of being an SBHS Cardinal? I am proud to be an SBHS Cardinal because most of the students at SBHS have resilience. I am also proud because SBHS has plenty of opportunities, sports and clubs, that make our school unique.
Estefani Vejar
Extra-Curricular Activities: Tennis, Sobobans, Life Skills, Students in Action, National Honor Society, Gear Up
Why are you proud of being an SBHS Cardinal? I am proud to be an SBHS Cardinal because it is so welcoming and diverse, and as a school we collectively do good academically. I am proud because regardless of the stereotypes we are put under because we’re in San Bernardino, we still strive for the best.
Jaelynn Tate
Extra-Curricular Activities: Volleyball, Theatre, Life Skills, Women in Politics, Students in Action
Why are you proud of being an SBHS Cardinal? I am proud to be a Cardinal because I am a part of a school that has over 100 years worth of history, and it has gone from one of the worst schools to the second in the District. Being part of the legacy, knowing I helped, gives me a high sense of comradery.
Karla Loria Cabrera
Extra-Curricular Activities: DUAL Club historian, Sobobans, Spanish Honor Society
Why are you proud of being an SBHS Cardinal? I am proud to be an SBHS Cardinal because we are The Very Best; we are always willing to help others and spread kindness around. We strive for greatness whether that be in sports or academics. We always try our best in all that we do!
Evelyn Yvette Chavez Ramirez
Extra-Curricular Activities: National Honor Society treasurer, Sobobans, Link Crew, Students in Action president, Almas, Youth Grantmakers, ICUC, Varsity Soccer, Boxing, Women in Politics, Dual Immersion vice president
Why are you proud of being an SBHS Cardinal? I am proud to be an SBHS Cardinal because it proves that we are not what the stigma makes us out to be. We have the power in our knowledge and actions to get rid of the stigma, and I am proud to be a part of that change. Once a Cardinal, always a Cardinal!
Lysandra Roman
Extra-Curricular Activities: Varsity Softball
Delaney Flores
Extra-Curricular Activities: Varsity Softball, JV Soccer
Why are you proud of being an SBHS Cardinal? I’m proud of being an SBHS Cardinal because this school taught me how to get out of my own space.
Jimena “Jime” Romero
Extra-Curricular Activities: Varsity Cheer, Varsity Swim, YAP 3, Link Crew
Why are you proud of being an SBHS Cardinal? I have always had pride towards my school! I believe we can bring San Bernardino High School back to the top. I have always felt like home at the school. Every teacher has been great to me, and I love the environment. Let’s go, Cardinals!
Jenna Lopez
Extra-Curricular Activities: Usher for SBCUSD event, ASB
Why are you proud of being an SBHS Cardinal? Joining Miss Cardinal, giving back to the community, being the senior class secretary, being the publicist for ASB, becoming an International Thespian, and becoming an International Honor Thespian.
Mariah Noya
Extra-Curricular Activities: Soccer, Boxing, Volleyball, Sobobans, Students in Action, Gear Up, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Link Crew
Why are you proud of being an SBHS Cardinal? Throughout my first years at San Bernardino High School, I have been exposed to the bad sides of the school, but as the years went by I saw positive change in the staff, students and the school. We are now the second top school in the District for school spirit and academic achievement.
Norma A. Nava
Extra-Curricular Activities: Varsity Volleyball, Gear Up, Sobobans, ETS UCR, Link Crew, Spanish Honor Society, National Honor Society, DI Club, Youth Group
Why are you proud of being an SBHS Cardinal? I am proud of being an SBHS Cardinal because it is the only high school that offers the Dual Immersion program. It is also the oldest high school in the District and it has a lot of history.
Mariah “Riyah” Gage
Extra-Curricular Activities: Varsity Cheer, Black Student Union president, Link Crew, Gear Up
Why are you proud of being an SBHS Cardinal? I want to show the students and others how good San Bernardino High School is; I want to show my school off and say, “Yeah, that’s my school, and I’m proud to be a part of that school.”
Jasmynn Nichols
Extra-Curricular Activities: Investment Club, Archives Club
Why are you proud of being an SBHS Cardinal? I am proud of the amazing teachers I have learned from and the spectacular friends I have made. The Pathways I have taken have been the perfect career gateways for me.
Trinity Flores
Extra-Curricular Activities: Varsity Cheer, National Honor Society, Travel Club, Interact Club
Why are you proud of being an SBHS Cardinal? In my opinion, being from SBHS is like being an underdog. Many people outside of our school expect nothing but negative outcomes from those who attend. So being a successful student from my high school is showing them what they didn’t see before. There is no place I would rather have spent my high school career.