EL PASO, Texas – The Sun Bowl Association announced the 2026-2027 Sun Court sponsored by Cielo Vista Mall, including a new Sun Queen, Lady-in-Waiting, and Sun Princesses on Saturday, Aug. 1, at the El Paso Country Club.
The Sun Court saw 12 new Sun Princesses, along with the new Sun Queen, Laynee Stokes, and Lady-in-Waiting Karen Carrillo as ambassadors for the Sun Bowl Association, while also representing the City of El Paso.
“This is the 91st anniversary of the Sun Bowl Sun Court, and we are excited to continue this celebrated tradition,” said Executive Director Bernie Olivas. “Once again, we have assembled a tremendous group of young women to be the ambassadors of the Sun Bowl and for the city of El Paso.”
“With a humble heart, I express my deepest gratitude for the city of El Paso,” said Sun Queen Laynee Stokes. “It is the people, sitting in freezing weather on game day and in the blazing sun on the 4th of July, that have forged pride in our city and respect for our traditions. It is a privilege to give back to the city which I owe everything to. The Sun Bowl Association staff, board of directors, past president, and the Sun Court truly are the best in the bowl business. Karen and I will do our best to embody the warmth and kindness of the Sun City for the duration of our reign.”
The Sun Court Coronation has been a part of the Sun Bowl since the first-ever college Sun Bowl game played in 1936. Coronation played a huge social role in the “Sun Carnival”, the week-long pageantry associated with the Sun Bowl. “The social side of the Sun Carnival centers around the Coronation of the Sun Queen with her Lady-In-Waiting and Royal Court of Princesses from all the cities of the Sun Empire and the Grand Ball tendered by the Association in honor of Her Majesty and Court,” per the 1938 Sun Bowl game program.
Today, the Sun Court serves as ambassadors for the Sun Bowl Association and the City of El Paso. The ladies of the court volunteer at various community events and make appearances at the Nusenda Credit Union Sun Bowl Pickleball Tournament, the Glasheen, Valles & Inderman Sun Bowl Parade, the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational, the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl and many other events throughout the year.
2026 SUN QUEEN
Laynee Stokes, daughter of William and Sarah Stokes, is a Senior at New Mexico State University and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in viola performance. Laynee is a recipient of the National School Orchestra Member Award as well as the Texas Music Educators Association, El Paso Municipal Police Officers Association Ben Ayala, EPISD Education Foundation, and the Rotary Club of El Paso Quinn scholarships to continue her studies. Laynee is a four-time winner of the NMSU Music Department Honors Recital, receiving recognition for outstanding achievement as a performer. She is a guest performer with the El Paso Symphony and other orchestras in the region and made her international solo debut in 2024 in Morelia, Mexico, where she performed Bruch’s Romanze for Viola and Orchestra with the Conservatorio de la Rosas chamber ensemble. Laynee has multiple recitals a year as part of her concert series, “An Evening of Music and Poetry,” which features her recited poetry paired with musical selections.
Outside of music, Laynee is a certified paralegal and enjoys volunteering with multiple organizations in the community. As part of her service to others, she provides music to cancer patients at Memorial Cancer Center as they undergo chemotherapy treatments and holds weekly recitals for elderly residents at the White Acres Senior Living Facility. She is also an active volunteer at St. Luke’s Catholic Church ministries, including the church choir and St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Laynee served as Sun Princess in 2025-2026 and intends to continue being an ambassador of El Paso as Sun Queen.
2026 LADY-IN-WAITING
Karen Carrillo, daughter of Gustavo and Elena Carrillo, is a Senior at The University of Texas at El Paso, majoring in Music with a minor in All-Levels Education. This year, she will complete her student teaching as part of her preparation to become a certified music educator.
Karen graduated from Coronado High School, where she served as president and drum major of the marching band, played on the soccer team, and was a member of the National Honor Society. She earned UIL All-Region and All-Area Musician honors, and Division I Solo & Ensemble ratings for all four years. She was also a member of the El Paso Symphony Youth Orchestra.
At UTEP, Karen served as the drum major of the Marching Miners and was a member of the Wind Symphony and UTEP Flautistas flute choir, where she also served as a student conductor for numerous concerts. She previously performed with the UTEP Symphony Orchestra, Symphonic and Concert Bands. She has consistently earned a place on the Dean’s List and, in 2024, was featured at the UTEP Honors Recital and received the Dr. Donald G. Wilkinson Music Education Scholarship. In 2026, she was selected as a Presser Foundation Scholar Award recipient, one of the university’s highest honors recognizing excellence in music, academic performance, leadership and service, and contribution to an inclusive community. She is a proud member of Kappa Kappa Psi, previously serving as President of the Iota Class and Vice President of Service for the Alpha Chi Chapter, earning the Outstanding Member Award. Karen also works as a freelance flute technician and music clinician and served as a High Impact Music Tutor for EPISD.
Karen served as Sun Princess in 2025-2026 and aspires to represent the El Paso community with pride by serving as the Sun Court’s Lady-in-Waiting this year.
SUN PRINCESSES (Current School)
Ayla Apodaca (UTEP)
Aida Gallegos (Sam Houston State)
Alex Gonzalez (UT Austin)
Arihua Gonzalez (UTEP)
Alaina Guerra (UTEP)
Leah Herrera (UT Austin)
Ali Lopez (Kansas)
Yuky Macias (UTEP)
Ryan Madrid (Notre Dame)
Brianna Morales (UTEP)
Candace Quintana (UTEP)
Lauren Trejo (UTEP)
For complete bios on 2026 Sun Princesses, visit www.sunbowl.org/about/sun_court.
ABOUT THE SUN BOWL ASSOCIATION
The Sun Bowl Association is a volunteer-based non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The Sun Bowl Association, with the help of over 700 volunteers, promotes and serves the El Paso community and features a year-round schedule of events culminating with the annual Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl football game. Other Sun Bowl core events include the Nusenda Credit Union Sun Bowl Pickleball Tournament, the Glasheen, Valles, & Inderman Injury Lawyers Sun Bowl Parade, the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Basketball Invitational, the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl Fan Fiesta presented by El Paso LIVE, and the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl Pregame Fan Party presented by Visit El Paso. Follow the Sun Bowl Association on Instagram (@tonythetigersunbowl), Facebook (Sun Bowl Association), and X (@TonytheTigerSB).
