Meet Marlena Guadarrama | Director of the Miss Huntington Beach Scholarship Program & Pageant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marlena Guadarrama and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marlena, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind our success is the enduring legacy of empowering young women to lead with confidence, compassion, and purpose in the community they love and call home. For over 100 years, the Miss Huntington Beach Scholarship Program & Pageant has provided a platform for intelligent, ambitious young women to serve as positive role models while earning financial support to pursue their educational and career goals. Through generous support from local businesses, charity partners, and individuals, our program not only funds scholarships for college or trade school but also nurtures qualities like poise, public speaking, leadership, and civic engagement.

What truly sets us apart is our deep-rooted connection to the Huntington Beach community. Our participants are not only representatives of our city—they are active contributors, making regular appearances at civic and business events and promoting platforms that reflect meaningful causes. By prioritizing education, service, and personal growth, we continue to inspire and uplift the next generation of young women, leaving a legacy of empowerment that resonates far beyond the pageant stage.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Since its beginnings in 1904, the Miss Huntington Beach Scholarship Competition has proudly evolved into a program that shapes the lives of young women while providing the community with a dedicated ambassador. What began as a small Fourth of July tradition has grown into a respected legacy led by the Sand Dollars since 1977. Today, the competition continues to empower confident, compassionate, and service-driven young women who represent the values and spirit of Huntington Beach.

We are proud to play a part in their journeys—but we couldn’t do it without the unwavering support and pride of our community. To keep this meaningful tradition alive for future generations, we rely on ongoing support from local businesses, partners, and individuals. As we look ahead, we are always grateful for those who choose to sponsor or donate—your contributions directly impact the educational futures and leadership paths of the young women who represent our city with pride. Now in our 113th year, we need as much support as possible to enable this program to live on your another 100+ years!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A weekend in Huntington Beach offers the perfect blend of natural beauty, local history, and community pride. Start your day with a drive along our breathtaking coastline and a visit to the iconic pier, where ocean breezes and coastal charm set the tone for a relaxing escape. Just a short drive inland, you’ll find the Huntington Beach Central Library, nestled in the heart of Central Park—a serene, tree-filled oasis perfect for an afternoon stroll or quiet reflection. Before the day ends, be sure to stop by the Queen’s Rose Garden on Main Street, established in 1963 to honor each Miss Huntington Beach Queen crowned since that year with the planting of a new rose annually. This hidden gem, created by the Sand Dollars and the Woman’s Club of Huntington Beach, celebrates generations of young women who have represented the city with grace and pride. It’s a lovely reminder of the legacy and community spirit that make Huntington Beach so special. On June 6th, 2025, we hosted our 60th Anniversary Miss Huntington Beach Rose Garden Ceremony where we celebrated Miss Huntington Beach 2025, Nicole Vogt, by planting the “Mellow Yellow” rose in her honor.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The success of the Miss Huntington Beach Scholarship Program & Pageant is rooted in community leaders like June Dugmore, whose legacy of service has shaped the program’s growth and impact. As a dedicated member and past multi-year president of the Sand Dollars of Huntington Beach, the non-profit organization that sponsors the Miss Huntington Beach, June played a pivotal role in organizing pageant board and supporting the young women who participate. Her passion was most alive during the crowning of a new queen and getting to know not just them but their families through the years. Her leadership helped ensure that scholarship funds, raised through the generosity of local donors, empowered young women to pursue education while serving as poised ambassadors of their community.

June’s lifelong dedication to Huntington Beach extends far beyond the pageant. Through her generous support and service with the Golden West College Foundation, the Women’s Club of Long Beach, and the American Cancer Society, she enriched the cultural and educational fabric of the city. Whether mentoring Girl Scouts, organizing fashion shows, or championing the arts, June lives her values—resilience, compassion, and empowerment—every day. Her impact continues to inspire future generations of young women in Huntington Beach, making her a cornerstone of the community she so deeply loves.

Website: https://www.misshuntingtonbeach.org

Instagram: @misshb_scholarshipprogram

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/misshuntingtonbeachscholarshipprogram

Other: misshuntingtonbeachpageant@gmail.com

Image Credits
Oscar Aquino at Oscar Aquino Photography
Linda Joseph-Turek at Silver Moon Photography