Knowing something about her Mexican heritage helped Yessenia Bustamante in her quest to become this year’s Cinco de Mayo Queen for Great Bend’s annual celebration. But a desire to help others is what cinched the decision for the judges.

Girls from Great Bend Middle School and Great Bend High School could run for the position of queen. Just as Wilson’s Czech Festival is a learning experience for youth as well as an ethnic event and celebration for the entire community, the Cinco de Mayo committee of Great Bend uses this holiday as a teaching moment and source of Mexican pride. A panel of five judges selects a queen, two princesses, and two court attendants.

Bustamante was asked why she wants to be queen, and what she sees herself doing 10 years from now. The GBHS freshman told the judges how she is working hard to learn English. Ten years from now, she hopes she can help children from Mexico who come to this country learn the new language.

Bustamante will take over for the 2010 queen, Tiffany Fletcher. Gabriela Hidalgo and Daniela Reyes are the princesses, and the court are Karina Mata and Jessica Palacio.

Five younger children were named as royalty for Cinco de Mayo. Natalie Bujanda was named queen, and Myra Ochoa and Magaly Molina were chosen as child princesses; their court are Sherryl Abarca and Emily Resendiz.

Cinco de Mayo celebration will start at 9 a.m. Saturday in the courthouse square. There will be a Main Street parade at 10, and more activities, including booths and free entertainment, in the afternoon on the south side of the courthouse.