Wearing a dazzling smile and an elegant fuchsia-colored evening gown with spaghetti straps and sweetheart neckline, Alyssa Goncalves was crowned Miss Cabrillo Festival 2010 at the Miss Cabrillo Festival Pageant on March 28 at the United Portuguese S.E.S. Hall. Goncalves, 21, was crowned by Janessa Garcia, the 2009 Miss Cabrillo. First runner-up was Katherina La Coco and second runner-up was Marissa Armijo. Mistress of ceremonies was Melanie Median, Miss Cabrillo Festival 2006. The 47th annual pageant was sponsored by Cabrillo Civic Club #16 and Portuguese American Social & Civic Club. A Point Loma native and 2006 graduate of Point Loma High School, Goncalves will be attending San Diego State University in the fall. “I’ve been going to Miss Cabrillo pageants since I was little and it’s something I’ve always thought about doing,” Goncalves said. “Some of my close friends have won in the past, and they were girls I am proud of and look up to. I never thought I’d be brave enough to go out, but this year was different. Now I’m a teacher and I’m a role model and I felt confident enough.” Miss Cabrillo’s responsibilities include presiding over the annual Cabrillo Festival, which will be held Sept. 26 at Cabrillo Monument. As an ambassador for the Portuguese community, Miss Cabrillo also greets and hosts visiting dignitaries from Mexico, Spain and Portugal. “I like to do more and go around to different elementary schools and teach about the history of San Diego,” Goncalves said. “Our Portuguese community is so unique; we have one of the oldest ethnic traditions, and our community has stayed really close. I think it’d be cool to teach how the Portuguese were first in Point Loma and started this community that’s still around.” In addition to being crowned Miss Cabrillo, Goncalves also won “The Spirit of Cabrillo Award” for her essay answering the question, “Why do you want to be Miss Cabrillo.” Miss Cabrillo pageant contestants are judged on their personal interviews — which constitute 50 percent of their score — as well as question and answers during the pageant and a presentation of their spring and formal wear. “I just want to represent my community, it’s always been such a big part of life … the Festa and our traditions,” Goncalves said. “This will make them as proud of me as I am of them.”