Queen candidate hopes to continue family legacy

Caruthers District Fair is the largest free gate fair in California that has been open for 87 years. Each year a varying amount of candidates enter into the competition to become the Queen of the Caruthers Fair. To win, the competitors must sell the most raffle tickets for a raffle with four main prizes.

This year senior Juliette Davila a first year student at Fresno Christian, applied for the Caruthers Queen competition. Continuing the family tradition, like her older sister two years ago, Davila is willing to put in a lot of effort and dedication in order to win this title.

“I’ve lived in Caruthers my whole life,” Davila said. “It is a big deal for me. A Fair Queen is also a big reason why it’s free to enter the fair, so I’m really glad to be a part of that. To get accepted you have to have decent grades and no disciplinary actions. Then they accept you. To win you have to sell the most raffle tickets.”

Raised in Caruthers, Juliette is one of five children of farmers David and Kathy Davila. Together with three of her siblings, she now goes to Fresno Christian Schools, while her older sister Katie attends Fresno State.

Both Davila and her younger sister sophomore Alina Davila love Caruthers not only because of its small size but also for its friendliness and peace.

“I love Caruthers,” Alina said. “It’s such a small town and you know everyone. I’ve never been scared to walk the streets of Caruthers, since it’s covered with vineyards and orchards; it’s very beautiful.”

Davila tells how she enjoys the atmosphere of Fresno Christian and why she chose to join FC.

“We missed a lot of church due to softball,” Davila said. “We wanted our relationship with God to be stronger. I like it here because everyone is nice and participates in events.”

Senior Marissa Parker Davila’s closest friend at FC, describes her as warm hearted and kind.

“I met her on the first day of school,” Parker said. “I sit next to her in Christian Living, and I was just asking her questions about herself, and then now we go to lunch together. Juliette is really nice, good to talk to, and gives good advice. She possesses friendliness, and is just really sweet. She is always there to talk, and we have a lot of similar thoughts on different things.”

However, behind Davila’s outward appearance, there is a hard worker and a strong competitor. Her sister Alina Davila speaks of her as a very intelligent and competitive individual.

“When I think of Juliette,” Davila said. “I think ‘books!’ She collects books and takes a book with her everywhere she goes. Towards the Fair Queen, she is very competitive and determined. If she wants to sell a certain amount of tickets she’ll do it, and since she hates losing anything, that will motivate her to keep selling until the last second. I think she’ll win because she is very competitive, hardworking, and determined to be like her older sister and win the title Caruthers Fair Queen.”

This year the Annual Caruthers District Fair will be held Sept. 28 – Oct. 1, in Caruthers. The fair will open at 8 a.m. and the coronation will take place, Sept. 28, at 6:30 p.m. Please come and support Juliette Davila!

This writer can be reached via twitter: @Tatiana08102000 and via email: Tatiana Iest.