ROYAL CITY - Sunday, February 8, turned out to be a special day for two special girls from Royal High School. They were named queen and princess of the Shining Star Pageant at Prosser High School.

Red Rock Elementary Assistant Principal Linda Achondo, who brought the pageant to the attention of The Royal Register, believes this was the first Shining Star Pageant anywhere.

The pageant is for special-needs girls, ages 5-22. It was put together by a Prosser mother to give special-needs girls a stage like Miss America's.

"It was organized to give special-needs girls an opportunity to shine like a star," Achondo said.

Sixteen girls participated in the pageant which had several age divisions. Orozco, a sophomore at Royal High School, and Taysha Snyder, a Junior at Royal High School, participated in the senior division.

Each of the girls who participated wore a sparkling tiara and received a package of gifts and a trophy.