All hail Sofia

STERLING – This year’s Fiesta Days queen is 17-year-old Sofia Renteria, a Sterling High School senior and student council member.

Sofia, daughter of Dolores and Victor Renteria, will be crowned tonight at the annual Fiesta Days dance at Latin American Social Club, 2708 W. Lincolnway.

A varsity cheerleader and hurdler, Sofia also dances at Just Dance in downtown Sterling. As part of a class, she helps eighth-graders at Challand Middle School with math, acting as a tutor and an assistant teacher for them during one of her class periods.

In her spare time, she likes to hang out with friends and spend time with her family.

“I really like to do photography, because my mom loves to do that,” she said. “I really like modeling for her; it’s one of my favorite things to do. I love going around town with her and taking pictures.”

The two are very close.

“She’s really supportive of me,” Sofia said. “She’s always pushed me to go for whatever I want to do and do whatever makes me happy.”

It was Dolores, 44, who first found out that Sofia was going to be named queen. Sofia was surprised, but in a good way. Excited, too.

“My mom told me that a man came in to her work and told her they were interested in having me do it and wanted to know what I thought about it,” she said.

A member of the Fiesta Days committee told Dolores the good news. “I was very happy when I found out she won,” Dolores said.

Sofia wasn’t expecting it, because unlike in years past, there wasn’t much of a pageant, she said. She competed in the LASC’s Valentine Queen contest in February, but didn’t win. She said it was that, plus her reputation and involvement in the club, that likely contributed to her crowning this time around.

So what’s next for the Sterling High senior? College applications. She’s thinking Illinois State University or Southern Illinois University, she said, and is interested in a career in journalism.

Fiesta Days festivities

The parade: Starts at noon today at Grandon Civic Center in Sterling, travels over the First Avenue bridge into Rock Falls, takes an immediate right at the base of the bridge and ends at Rock Falls High School. Its theme is "Hispanic culture is alive."

At the Latin American Social Club: From 3 to 5 p.m. today, colorful Mexican folk dancers from the Quad Cities will perform at the club at 2708 W. Fourth St. Admission is free; tacos and tostadas will be sold for $1 and $1.25 each, respectively.

From 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., there's a dance featuring the bands Los Tremendos de Alegres and DediK2.

Around 9 or 10 p.m., this year's Fiesta Queen will be crowned. Clemencia Xique, 20, will hand her crown to new Queen Sofia Renteria, 17, of Sterling. Admission to the dance is $15; food and drinks will be available. Call the club at 815-625-8290 for more information.

Sunday at Scheid: The celebration wraps up Sunday with the annual soccer tournament at 9 a.m. at Scheid Park, 1102 Woodburn Ave. in Sterling.