Miss Mikayla Salindo Crowned 2019 Knights of Rizal Cleveland Chapter Ms. Maria Clara

 

By Sir Alwyn Galela, KGOR
Cleveland
June 19, 2019
 




The annual Ms. Maria Clara was held at Double Tree Hotel in Cleveland on June 15, 2019. This year’s debutante is the granddaughter of Sir Celso Salindor, KGOR, and Lady Elenita Salindo. This year’s debutante was also the niece of the Ms. Cathy Salindo, Ms. Maria Clara 1991.

 Ms. Salindo is an avid runner and has participated in multiple runs for charity for the AHA, Relay for Life and Race for Cure. Her passion is figure skating- competing in various contests and performing in numerous shows. She also help coaching the sport.Entering her Senior year in HS in the Fall, she is involved with various cause-oriented organizations and a member of the National Honors Society. She is an advocate for Mental Health and LGBTQ community. This year’s Ms. Maria Clara plans to pursue the field of psychiatry in the future. She plans to attend John Carroll University or Mount Union after highschool.  The traditional Dr. Rizal Floral Offering was led by Sir Amado Defante (Chapter Commander) and Lady Teresita with Sir Dr. Leo Alvarado (Area Commander) and Lady Esther Alvarado plus the rest of the Knights and their Ladies in support. Sir Domingo Patawaran, KGOR was the master of ceremonies for the night.  Sir Alwyn Galela, KGOR and Deputy Area Commander also gave the night’s Educational Speech. The speech was entitled, “A Curious Thought:  Who Might Dr. Rizal Favor as the Ideal Model Filipina- the Noli Character, Maria Clara Or, Her Present Day Antithesis.” He challenged the debutante to let the title Ms. Maria Clara represent a challenge and an honor. A challenge to see the best possibilities in life and an honor to knowing that the community supports her in this pursuit. The night was also highlighted with a cultural presentation by members of the KOR-Cleveland Chapter with a native dance number called “Subli”. The out-going 2018 Ms. Maria Clara- Ms. Maren Callahan (with Ms. Amilya Lampa) also performed the “Fan Dance”.