City upholds winner in pageant dispute
SAN LUIS, Ariz. — Kyara Lardin will keep the disputed crown as winner of inaugural Miss Southwest Scholarship Pageant following a review by the city that concluded she met residency requirements to compete, the San Luis parks and recreation director said.
The review was prompted by complaints filed by two other contestants – Jackie Perez Arce and Viviann Gurrola – alleging that Lardin lives in San Luis Rio Colorado, Son.
Parks and Recreation Director Louie Galaviz said his department and the city attorney’s office reviewed residency information Lardin submitted when she registered as a candidate for the inaugural pageant held Dec. 6.
“Having reviewed with the office of the city attorney the information regarding this issue and the documentation provided by the participant, she meets the city residency requirements of the application to become Miss Southwest 2018,” Galaviz said in a statement issued Wednesday night.
Contacted Thursday, he declined to offer any comment except to say Lardin would retain her crown.
Rules of the pageant, which is organized by the parks and recreation department, require contestants to live in San Luis, Ariz. Gurrola and Perez Arce said they told organizers prior to the event that Lardin really resided in the neighboring Mexican city.
After the 19-year-old Arizona Western College was crowned winner, the two contestants and Gurrola’s mother, Edith, filed the complaint with the parks and recreation department.
Lardin denied residing in San Luis Rio Colorado.
In a statement issued Thursday after the city upheld her victory, she said, “I participated in this pageant as I have before, and unfortunately there have been false accusations made, followed by harassment, which has jeopardized my victory. I would like to clarify that I have proven my residency as a resident of San Luis, Ariz., as determined by San Luis Cultural Center. I am looking forward to a successful year.”
As the winner, Lardin receives a $1,000 college scholarship. Perez Arce, as second runner-up, receives a $250 scholarship. Gurrola did not finish among the top three finalists, although she received an award as Miss Talent in the pageant.