Italie Chavez, 16, a musical theater major at North East School of the Arts, was named Miss Recreation 2008 at the annual pageant on April 6.

Italie is a three-year member of the Parks and Recreation Department's dance troupe, Alamotion. She has participated in Parks and Recreation Department programs since she was four years old.

Italie is also a San Antonio Teen Ambassador and Texas Teen Ambassador in the fight against alcohol and drug abuse. She speaks regularly to elementary and middle school students about the risks of using drugs, alcohol and tobacco products. She also participants in Inner City with Style where she sings and dances at events.

The first runner-up in this year's pageant is Lauren Horner, 18, who will attend Texas State University in the fall where she will pursue a five-year integrated program with the McCoy School of Business.

Second runner-up was BreeAnn Ashley and Most Congenial went to Caroline Garcia. BreeAnn, 18, is a senior at Madison High School. She took home title of Most Talented in the 2007 and 2008 Miss Recreation Pageants. Caroline, 18, is a senior at Antonian Preparatory High School.

Italie will receive a $1,000 scholarship from ACCD Foundation to match the $1,000 scholarship award offered by Parks and Recreation.

In addition, Lauren will receive a $500 scholarship from ACCD Foundation and BreeAnn will receive a $250 to be used to attend one of four ACCD campuses.

The Miss Recreation Pageant, which originated 49 years ago as an opportunity for young women to serve as role models for the youth in the community and to encourage them to get involved in recreational activities, celebrates its 50th year in 2008. At right, the photo illustrates the traditional bow that young ladies took when they won the crown during the early years of the pageant. For more photos illustrating the great tradition of this pageant, take a look at our Pageant Archives.

Contestants must live in the San Antonio, Texas metropolitan area. They must be available to make appearances at special events and ceremonies on an as-needed basis.

The Alamo Community College District Foundation has joined the department in celebrating the 50th anniversary of the pageant by providing scholarships for the winner and runners up. Miss Recreation 2008 will receive a $1,000 scholarship from ACCD Foundation to match the $1,000 scholarship award offered by Parks and Recreation.

In addition, ACCD Foundation will award a $500 scholarship to the first runner up and $250 to the second runner up to be used to attend one of four ACCD campuses. Participants must live in the San Antonio metropolitan area and they must be available for local appearances throughout the reign.

Participants must be between the ages of 13 to 18 and they submitted an essay on the benefits of recreation. The department began accepting essays in mid-August.

Miss Recreation 2008 Rules (PDF)

Miss Recreation Application (PDF)

The contestants were judged for poise and personality during the interview preliminaries. Each also submitted an essay on the benefits of Parks and Recreation to qualify to participate.

The pageant also honored the Miss Recreations of the past with a ceremony on stage.

For any further questions, please call 210-207-3134.