How many pageants have you previously competed in?
This will be my third time competing for Miss Florida USA. I came late into the pageant world, as my first pageant was in 2012 during my junior year in college, when my sorority asked me to compete for Miss Florida International University (American system). This was the most embarrassing experience of my life as I was laughed at for having a lisp, ridiculed for not being in the best form and almost booed off stage during the talent portion because the music was so low that I sang faster then the song. I was devastated for a moment but did not accept defeat. That same year I competed for Miss Florida USA and placed Top 16 representing Miss South Beach! Now, I’m back with the Miss Carnaval Miami title, a title that is very dear to my heart as it represents an organization, the Kiwanis of Little Havana, that have helped 1 millions kids in the past 40 years in Miami.
What made you decide to compete in Miss Florida USA 2017?
I decided to compete for Miss Florida to be able to amplify my voice across Florida, thus enabling me to
achieve my goals of helping and empowering the community at large. Ever since I was a young girl, my
parents embedded in me the importance of speaking up & voicing my opinion for the greater good. They
came from a communist country where people didn’t have a voice & were blessed enough to find freedom
and opportunity here in America. I am proud to be first generation Cuban-American. It is my hope to give
back to this country what this country has given my family: hope and the pursuit of happiness.
Outside of competing in pageants, what do you like to do for fun?
Living in the sunshine state it’s hard not to imagine that my favorite activities consist of dancing, writing
music & enjoying the outdoors. Being surrounded by water is my absolute happy place and that’s why I
pursued getting a certification in scuba diving. I love going to key largo with my family and friends,
enjoying a BBQ while playing a game of dominos, followed by kayaking or knee boarding in the ocean,
where the waves are calm and the sights are breathtaking.
Give a brief bio about yourself. Include where you are attending school (include year and major if
applicable), your future goals, etc.
I have always had a love for service, since the age of 13, I would give part of my allowance to a child in
Mexico, and then at 17 I went to Mindo, Ecuador to help rebuild schools and teach English classes. When I
entered Florida International Univeristy, I considered being a social worker but decided to get a degree in
business, which in turn would allow me to directly impact my own community. I currently work as the
Marketing & Community Relations Director for a family run business called Ibiley Uniforms & More
where we service over 90,000 families by helping dress the students of Miami-Dade County public school.
My goal is to further expand the business, and do more for our community as we currently donate over
$150,000 in uniforms to needy children. In addition, I am part of an organization called Crowns of Love
made up of past Miss Carnaval Miami queens where we mentor and provide literacy programs to students
who are underperforming in school. We hope to expand the literacy program to 3 more schools this year!
If you win your state title, what do you hope to accomplish throughout your reign?
I started a mentoring program called “Live Brightly”, which is geared towards inspiring children to find
that light within them and let that passion burn bright. I accomplish this by visiting local schools and
teaching the students techniques concerning appreciation, self-affirmation and compassion. The inspiration
to start this program came to me once I realized that I was paying more attention to the opinions of what
others thought of me then what I thought of myself. Every time I believed in what others said of me, the
light within me started to dim, and that is when I turned things around and became more certain and
mindful that I could be confidently beautiful regardless of the thoughts and opinions of others. Now it’s my
job to help others turn their lights back on to LIVE BRIGHTLY! With the title of Miss Florida, it would
allow me to amplify this message and continue to spread this light not only in my city but also across all of
Florida
What is your dream job (besides being Miss USA, of course!)
I believe in endless possibilities with what I can do on this Earth as I don’t have one specific dream job. My
goal is to become a School Board member and spearhead the incorporation of a new curriculum in schools
to teach “Self Awareness”. Continue expanding my “Live Brightly” mentoring program across America &
travel the world interviewing the “Hidden Sparks” of the world on what will eventually air on my own TV
show. Encourage more women to become business entrepreneur and by doing this they can create the path
they choose and be even greater leaders in our society. As a bonus I would love to be a Sports fitness model
encouraging a healthy & fun lifestyle while writing music for a record label.
This will be my third time competing for Miss Florida USA. I came late into the pageant world, as my first pageant was in 2012 during my junior year in college, when my sorority asked me to compete for Miss Florida International University (American system). This was the most embarrassing experience of my life as I was laughed at for having a lisp, ridiculed for not being in the best form and almost booed off stage during the talent portion because the music was so low that I sang faster then the song. I was devastated for a moment but did not accept defeat. That same year I competed for Miss Florida USA and placed Top 16 representing Miss South Beach! Now, I’m back with the Miss Carnaval Miami title, a title that is very dear to my heart as it represents an organization, the Kiwanis of Little Havana, that have helped 1 millions kids in the past 40 years in Miami.
What made you decide to compete in Miss Florida USA 2017?
I decided to compete for Miss Florida to be able to amplify my voice across Florida, thus enabling me to
achieve my goals of helping and empowering the community at large. Ever since I was a young girl, my
parents embedded in me the importance of speaking up & voicing my opinion for the greater good. They
came from a communist country where people didn’t have a voice & were blessed enough to find freedom
and opportunity here in America. I am proud to be first generation Cuban-American. It is my hope to give
back to this country what this country has given my family: hope and the pursuit of happiness.
Outside of competing in pageants, what do you like to do for fun?
Living in the sunshine state it’s hard not to imagine that my favorite activities consist of dancing, writing
music & enjoying the outdoors. Being surrounded by water is my absolute happy place and that’s why I
pursued getting a certification in scuba diving. I love going to key largo with my family and friends,
enjoying a BBQ while playing a game of dominos, followed by kayaking or knee boarding in the ocean,
where the waves are calm and the sights are breathtaking.
Give a brief bio about yourself. Include where you are attending school (include year and major if
applicable), your future goals, etc.
I have always had a love for service, since the age of 13, I would give part of my allowance to a child in
Mexico, and then at 17 I went to Mindo, Ecuador to help rebuild schools and teach English classes. When I
entered Florida International Univeristy, I considered being a social worker but decided to get a degree in
business, which in turn would allow me to directly impact my own community. I currently work as the
Marketing & Community Relations Director for a family run business called Ibiley Uniforms & More
where we service over 90,000 families by helping dress the students of Miami-Dade County public school.
My goal is to further expand the business, and do more for our community as we currently donate over
$150,000 in uniforms to needy children. In addition, I am part of an organization called Crowns of Love
made up of past Miss Carnaval Miami queens where we mentor and provide literacy programs to students
who are underperforming in school. We hope to expand the literacy program to 3 more schools this year!
If you win your state title, what do you hope to accomplish throughout your reign?
I started a mentoring program called “Live Brightly”, which is geared towards inspiring children to find
that light within them and let that passion burn bright. I accomplish this by visiting local schools and
teaching the students techniques concerning appreciation, self-affirmation and compassion. The inspiration
to start this program came to me once I realized that I was paying more attention to the opinions of what
others thought of me then what I thought of myself. Every time I believed in what others said of me, the
light within me started to dim, and that is when I turned things around and became more certain and
mindful that I could be confidently beautiful regardless of the thoughts and opinions of others. Now it’s my
job to help others turn their lights back on to LIVE BRIGHTLY! With the title of Miss Florida, it would
allow me to amplify this message and continue to spread this light not only in my city but also across all of
Florida
What is your dream job (besides being Miss USA, of course!)
I believe in endless possibilities with what I can do on this Earth as I don’t have one specific dream job. My
goal is to become a School Board member and spearhead the incorporation of a new curriculum in schools
to teach “Self Awareness”. Continue expanding my “Live Brightly” mentoring program across America &
travel the world interviewing the “Hidden Sparks” of the world on what will eventually air on my own TV
show. Encourage more women to become business entrepreneur and by doing this they can create the path
they choose and be even greater leaders in our society. As a bonus I would love to be a Sports fitness model
encouraging a healthy & fun lifestyle while writing music for a record label.