Three Kern Magazine Heart of Gold Awardees Share What a Year of Service, Sisterhood, and Showing Up for Kern County Really Looks Like.
Published April 14, 2026
For 108 years, the Miss Kern County Pageant has been woven into the fabric of this community, an inclusive pageant starting from babies to seniors—and the three women you’re about to meet are a beautiful reminder of why that legacy still matters.
Veronica Simiano Salas, Calli Kniffen and Melissa Fidis have each spent the past year pouring into Kern County with compassion, generosity, and a true spirit of service.
At Kern Magazine, we had the chance to witness that firsthand—not only at the Kern Oil premiere at the historic Bakersfield Fox Theater, where their warmth and kindness stood out, but also in a moment that quietly revealed even more about who they are.
Kern Oil Movie Premiere | Credit: Kaylie Cotton
Due to a human scheduling error on our end, an interview date was mistakenly entered incorrectly. They arrived as planned, only to discover the mix-up. Our receptionist later shared how gracious, understanding and kind they were throughout the entire situation. And when we were finally able to connect to apologize, their only concern was that we were okay.
That kind of character can’t be staged. It’s simply who they are.
In recognition of their service to Kern County, and for the compassion they’ve shown in both big and small moments, Kern Magazine is honored to present all three women with our Kern Magazine Heart of Gold Award, proudly sponsored and handcrafted by Bee Creationz, a veteran-owned business rooted in Wasco, California.
We’re proud to share their story—and even prouder to celebrate the kind of heart that makes our community stronger, together.
The Q&A sit-down interview was conducted prior to the 2026 Miss Kern County Pageant, that took place in April 2026.
Left to Right: Melissa Fidis, Veronica Simiano, Angie Lopez of Bee Creationz, Calli Kniffen
Veronica Simiano Salas
Mrs. Kern County 2025 & Mrs. Central Valley 2026
You came into this pageant almost by accident. How did that happen?
I entered my daughter first. Our CEO saw me and said she thought I’d be great at it. I had reservations—I said, I don’t know if this is for me. She told me, “How do you know if you never try?” And lo and behold, I entered. It’s been one of the most amazing opportunities I could have ever asked for. It helped me grow as an individual, become more bonded with my daughter because we did this together, but it also made me discover hidden potential within myself that I didn’t know I had.
You’re now the community liaison for the organization. What does that role actually look like?
I interact with a lot of the organizations in Kern County and get the girls involved in the volunteering process. And we’re not just showing up and waving. We do setup, breakdown, we greet guests, help run events from start to finish. We’re fully involved. Some of the moments that have really stood out—Kern Down Syndrome Networks-Once Upon a Runway, where we brought a Snow White-themed show to life with our delegates as runway models. The Kern County Cancer Foundation’s pediatric brunch, where we brought two organizations together to make the whole event happen, all sponsored. And the Magdalene Hopes Pink and Blue Gala, which raises awareness about sex trafficking and modern-day slavery. That one really hit home. To realize these issues are literally at our doorstep—and that we can be a part of bringing awareness and helping people—that matters.
What do you want people who’ve never heard of this pageant to understand about it?
It’s a teaching moment. A lot of these girls don’t even know some of these organizations exist until they’re there helping. Then they realize, “Wow, this resource is here. I can help. I can tell someone about it.” That’s empowerment. And it’s not just for youth—even as adult women, we’re still growing. How can you live in a place if you’re not prideful of where you live and what you can contribute to it?
CALLI KNIFFEN
Teen Miss Golden Empire 2025 & Miss Teen Central Valley 2026
You completed 300 community service hours this year. What was that journey like?
At the beginning, I didn’t know if I could do it. But I tried my best and I got there, and I’m so happy. Working in the community has been amazing because it’s taught me so much—about my community, about myself, about public speaking, how to carry myself. I honestly wouldn’t trade this year for anything.
What’s a moment from this year you’ll always carry with you?
We’re in parades sometimes, and after the parades when we’re walking back to our cars, little girls spot us in our crowns and sashes. They’ll look at us and say, “Princesses.” It’s so sweet seeing them look up to you like that. And if I hadn’t joined the pageant last year, I would be nowhere close to where I am today. It’s given me the best year of my life.
What would you say to a young woman who’s curious but doesn’t think this is for her?
I really want people to know this is so much more than a beauty pageant. You’re actually going into the community and serving. You’re learning. You’re growing. You don’t know if you don’t try—especially when you have such a support system. Your sister queens motivate you and push you inside and outside of the pageant. You really form these relationships where I know I can call any of them and say, “I need you,” and know they’ll be there.
MELISSA FIDIS
Mrs. Riverlakes 2025 & Mrs. Kern County 2026
You came into this pageant and found something unexpected. What was it?
My favorite part is my sister queens. I love the organizations, I love volunteering—that’s the thread of who I am. But coming into this pageant has been heart-mending for me because I’ve developed such amazing relationships with each of our queens. This last year as a delegate, I’ve grown as an individual, as a mother, as a sister queen. I’ve brought my own daughter into the organization because I believe in it that deeply.
This is a 108-year-old organization. What does that legacy actually mean in practice?
A: It’s leadership. It’s development. It’s mentorship—not only for youth, but for adult women too. A lot of our past pageant winners are still very active in the community. They’re judges, CEOs, business owners, running nonprofits. We see them regularly still serving. That’s the legacy. And we’re taking the best of both worlds—technology and human connection—and blending them together with that legacy. In a high-tech society, we tend to lose that human connection. This organization keeps it alive. We just really want to encourage the community to come and join us.
How would you describe Kern County to someone who’s never been here?
It’s real people trying to do real good and really caring about one another. The people here have a heart of gold and they really want to do good. That’s where I want to be. And that’s what Kern County is.
2026 Miss Kern County Pageant
KERN MAGAZINE’S SIGNATURE QUESTIONS
What do you love about your Kern County community?
Veronica: “It’s agricultural, it’s booming in business, and it’s family-oriented. How can you live in a place if you’re not prideful of where you live and what you can contribute to it?”
Calli: “Everybody is just so sweet and they really want to come together and make it better. Kern County is full of so many people who want to do different things to make it ultimately a better place.”
Melissa: “The people. That’s the heartbeat of our community. If they have a heart of gold and they really want to do good, that’s where I want to be. That’s what Kern County is—real people trying to do real good.”
When you eat local, where do you go?
Veronica: La Costa—”Their chips and salsa is the anchor and it’ll keep me coming back every single time.” Also a recent convert to Rosemary’s Family Creamery.
Calli: California Pizza Kitchen — “I grew up going there. The food is delicious, but it also brings back memories.”
Melissa: Dewar’s for ice cream — “Rocky Road specifically.”
When you want to get out of town, where’s your spot?
Veronica: San Fernando Valley, to her parents. “It’s close to everything—Universal, Disneyland—but really it’s just about being around family.”
Calli: Fillmore, near Santa Barbara—her mom’s hometown with 10 siblings. “Every time we go down there, it’s always a party. And they’re still in the house I grew up going to.”
Melissa: Wherever she hasn’t been yet—she travels quarterly. Next stop: St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, right after the pageant. “I work really hard, so I’d like to just go somewhere I can detach completely.”
Check out some behind the scenes pictures of the Miss Kern County Pageant 2026.
Bee Creatonz is Veteran-Owned, and located in Wasco, California.
