Everything is ready for the selection of the 2013 Royal Court. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Everyone is in a party mood. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
The neighborhood turns out for a another celebration. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
A good day for a celebration. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Getting ready for the crowing of the court. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Christina Anaya, left, and best gal friend Coral Evans get ready for the celebration. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Children burn off some extra energy. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
The Royal Court practices their dance moves. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
The Royal Court practices their dance moves. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
The Royal Court practices their dance moves. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
The Royal Court practices their dance moves. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
The Royal Court practices their dance moves. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Vendors and information booths greet the crowd. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Julio César Quezada works the music system under the protection of a tent. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
The song of independence rings out in the park thanks to Monico Nuñez. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Contestants get serenaded by Monico Nuñez. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Monico Nuñez provides a strong finish. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
2012 Queen Ana Molina, left, presents the 2013 contestants. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Erica Zaldivar, left, makes her presentation to the judges. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Skye Yazzie addresses the crowd. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Skye Yazzie addresses the crowd. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Angelo Miguel reads his presentation to the judges and audience members. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Johsten Marquez concludes his presentation to the judges. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Irene Montano, left, tells the audience the judges will now head off and make their final selections for the 2013 Royal Court. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
The four contestants, who have also been working on a number of community service projects throughout the year, receive an ovation from the audience. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Monico Nuñez gives a final serenade to the 2013 Royal Court. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Monico Nuñez said he is ready to join the Royal Court as well. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Past Fiesta Queens include, Ana Molina, left, (2012); Isela Zaldivar (2011), Breann Price (2010), and Marisela Chihuahua, (2007-09). The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Irene Montano tries to keep control over an excited Royal Court. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Past Queens and the 2013 Royal Court get ready for the big announcement. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Prince Johsten Marquez is awarded by Marisela Chihuahua. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
2013 Prince Johsten Marquez and Queen Marisela Chihuahua (2007-09) are all smiles. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Queens Breann Price (2010), and Queen Marisela Chihuahua, (2007-09) prepare to award the Princess trophy. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Queen Breann Price (2010), left, presents the Princess award to Erica Zaldivar. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Queen Breann Price (2010), left, and 2013 Princess Erica Zaldivar. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Queen Marisela Chihuahua (2007-09) presents the King's crown to Angelo Miguel. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Queen Ana Molina (2012), gives a big hug to 2013 Queen Skye Yazzie. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Queen Ana Molina (2012) and 2013 Queen Skye Yazzie. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
The 2013 Royal Court is presented to the crowd. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Past Queens can now relax and enjoy the rest of the celebration. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Past Queens and the 2013 Royal Court celebrate another successful fiesta. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Past Queens and the 2013 Royal Court celebrate another successful fiesta. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Coral Evans, left and Irene Montano celebrate another successful event. The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association Inc. celebrated its 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013. Photo by Frank X. Moraga / AmigosNAZ ©2013
Click on the image to see a slideshow from the 2013 Fiesta de Independencia. Pause on photo to see a caption.
AmigosNAZ staff report
FLAGSTAFF — Sprinkers going off in the early afternoon almost watering the public address system and threatening skies throughout the day were not enough to deter organizers of the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association of Flagstaff, who presented their 10th annual Fiesta de Independencia on Sunday, Sept. 15 at Ponderosa Park in Flagstaff.
The celebration was highlighted with the selection of the 2013 Royal Court.
Skye Yazzie was selected as the 2013 queen, with Erica Zaldivar selected as princess.
New this year was the selection of a king and prince.
The boys had lobbied this year that they also wanted to be included in the celebration, said Coral Evans, executive director of the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association.
As a result, Angelo Miguel was named the 2013 king, with Johsten Marquez as the 2013 prince.
Besides giving a presentation to the judges and audience members during the fiesta, all the contestants had a perform a number of community service projects throughout the year to be eligible for the competition, Evans said.
“They have to commit to being part of the (I Am Sunnyside) youth group for a year, picking up trash, reading to senior citizens and making an appearance at the Fiesta de Mayo,” Evans said during an earlier interview with AmigosNAZ. “From May to September they are working on leadership training and the four pillars of leadership. We’ve been doing the queen competition for eight years and five of the queens are still actively involved in Sunnyside.”
Attending the fiesta were past queens Ana Molina, (2012); Isela Zaldivar (2011), Breann Price (2010), and Marisela Chihuahua, (2007-09).
Sunnyside’s Irene Montano served as MC for the event, with Monico Nuñez serenading the 2013 Royal Court with traditional songs.
For more information on the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association of Flagstaff, visit https://www.facebook.com/sunnysideflagstaff
