Junior Orange Bowl
The Junior Orange Bowl is a non-profit organization based in Coral Gables, Florida that holds the Junior Orange Bowl International Youth Festival, a series of events held for the Youth of South Florida and the World. The oldest and most popular event of the Junior Orange Bowl International Youth Festival is the Junior Orange Bowl Parade in downtown Coral Gables.
History
Known as "The Largest International Youth Sports and Arts Festival,” the Junior Orange Bowl Youth Festival blossomed in 1948 when the first Junior Orange Bowl Parade journey through beautiful downtown Coral Gables. This was the beginning of a festival that is totally dedicated to "Celebrating Youth".
The first Junior Orange Bowl Queen, Sandy Wirth, was selected in 1951. The 12- and 13-year-old girls were, and continue to be, judged on poise, personality and presentation. Presently, preliminary pageants take place from Key West to as far north as Vero Beach. In 1959 the Junior Orange Bowl Committee was officially formed.
Tennis
The sixties marked the introduction of several new events. In 1948 the Junior Orange Bowl International Tennis Championship was established for boys and girls that are 13 and under. Now a 14 and over and 12 and over tournament, over the years the draw has included several great players who have gone on to gain stardom on the professional circuit. Tennis greats Chris Evert, Jimmy Connors, Mary Joe Fernandez, Monica Seles, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf have all played in the tournament.
Golf
1964 was the inaugural year for the Invitational Golf Tournament. Top U.S. and foreign players 18 years and younger compete in this event which is now recognized as one of the world’s most prestigious junior golf tournaments. This invitational has produced such tour stars as Andy North, Craig Stadler, Hal Sutton, Mark Calcavecchia, Bob Tway, Billy Mayfair, willie Wood, and José María Olazábal, of Spain who won the 1994 Masters Championship in Augusta, Georgia. The Golf tournament continues to draw rising champions; Tiger Woods was the 1991 winner. A Bowling Tournament was added in 1969 attracting children from Florida, surrounding states and Puerto Rico; this was also the first year the parade was televised nationally.
Other events
In 1972 a Soccer Tournament was added. 1977 marked the first Girl’s International Golf Tournament. In 1978 Wrestling and a 5-K Run were added to the schedule of events. The early and mid eighties saw even more new events; a Creative Arts Competition (visual and written), Photography Contest, a Basketball Classic, Gymnastics Competition (attracting top junior gymnasts in the U.S.), The Sports Ability Games (geared towards physically challenged youth) and a Cheerleading Competition. The Caroling Competition emerged during the 1986 festival. In addition to the many new events, the 1989 Junior Orange Bowl Festival hosted the 1989 World Championship Games for Disabled Youth. This event alone brought physically challenged young athletes from around the world to compete for world titles.
1990 was a landmark year in the Junior Orange Bowl’s history with the success of the festival’s first-ever nighttime parade. Over 150,000 spectators attended this historic event. In 1993, a Pre-Parade show was added to the already exciting parade line-up. In 1998, the Festival introduced the inaugural International Scholastic Chess Tournament, which hosts some of the world’s best young minds. Jobie’s Fun Day – a day of fun outdoor activities for special needs children, also debuted in 1998. 1999 marked the emergence of the Cross Country Invitational, featuring some of South Florida’s top middle and senior high school runners. The Youth Arts Celebration was introduced in the year 2000 to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the City of Coral Gables. Swimming returned to the Festival in 2001 as the City of Miami Springs hosted this international event.
Winners for the photography contest of 2007
Best of Show - Elliot Jimenez, Southwest Senior High
1st Place Black & White - Daniel Castan, Southwood Middle
2nd Place Black & White - Bryan DeLoach, Krop Senior High
3rd Place Black & White - Amanda Joffee, Miami Country Day School
1st Place Color - Fernando Rosales, Coral Reef Senior High
2nd Place Color - Kelly Baron, Krop Senior High
3rd Place Color - Marie Lopez, Doral Academy Charter Middle
1st Place Digital - Kara Barndollar, Miami Killian Senior
2nd Place Digital - Erick Jimenez, Southwest Senior High
3rd Place Digital - Nick Chase, Miami Killian Senior High
Best Portraiture - Elliot Jimenez, Southwest Senior High
Best Wildlife Photo - Ana Portela, South Miami Middle
Best Architectural Photo - Denise Puente, Miami Killian Senior
The number of student photographs that are submitted into the Pitman Photo Supply Photography Contest grows each year along with the overall quality of the entries. Cash prizes will be awarded to the students who enter winning photographs in one of three categories: Color, Black & White and Digital Imaging. There is also a “Best in Show” Grand prize awarded to the single best photograph in the contest. The Junior Orange Bowl Photography Contest is open to students in grades 6 – 12. The photographs entered will also be exhibited in the auditorium of Junior Orange Bowl Festival Sponsor Miami Children's Hospital.
Mission statement
The Junior Orange Bowl Committee, Inc. is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization that serves the community of South Florida and the Youth of the world by providing opportunities for wholesome, competitive and multi-cultural experiences.