Culture

Tatiana Santos is Miss Miami USA 2010

MIAMI -- The crowning of Miss Miami USA® 2010 and Miss Miami Teen USA 2010 culminated at the Roxy Performing Arts Center in one of the most exciting pageants which could bring the winners on the road to fame and fortune.

Tatiana Santos won the Miss Miami USA® 2010. Miss Santos attends Miami Dade College taking up her International Relations major and plans to go to law school and become a successful defense attorney. "I have a passion for helping people and being an attorney I can help the community and reach out to them."

"I'd like to tell everyone that if I can do it, you can do it! Never, never give up," stated Miss Santos in an interview with Filamvision TV. "My parents are my backbone and I attribute my success to them."

Statuesque Vania Pedraja was crowned Miss Miami Teen USA® 2010. "I am extremely happy and its a dream come true," she said.

Miss Pedraja who is going to the University of Miami to study Medicine encourages future candidates to "keep on dreaming and achieve your goals, anything is possible. If you work hard for it, its gonna come true."

The pageant which was held on April 26th at the Roxy Performing Arts Center in Miami was presented by Desiree Sardo, Miss Puerto Rico 2004 and the Director of the Miss Miami USA® pageant.

The judging panel for the 2010 Miss Miami USA® and Miss Miami Teen USA® Pageants were:

Mr. Eddie S. Rivas, Educator; Mr. Joel Cruz, Advertising and Marketing Executive; Melinda Mersace, Miss Miami Beach and Miss Junior Puerto Rico; Kirsten Regalado, Commercial Model and Fashion Designer; Anthony Delgado, Creative Designer

Throughout the event, the contestants competed in three categories: swimsuit, evening gown and interview. During these competitions, the judges voted on each category before the crowning.

In the interview portion each contestant randomly picked a question from sealed envelopes.

Prior to the formal presentation of the candidates, Miss Miami USA® 2009 Alessandra Montessino and Miss Miami Teen USA® 2009 Carina Fereira performed a tribute to Miami in the 1950's.
The performance was followed by a presentation of previous pageant winners.

Miss Miami Tropic Junior Teen 2007 Christine Sabino and Miss Miami Tropic Junior Teen 2008 Daniella Zabata introduced the contestants.

Later in the program, entertainment was provided by featured artist Arias to the delight of the audience.

Final Results:

Miss Miami Teen USA®:

Winner: Vania Pedraja
First Runner Up: Natalie Carbonell; Second Runner Up: Margot Chomat; Third Runner Up: Dawn Boothe; Miss Amity: Vania Pedraja; Miss Photogenic: Vania Pedraja.

Miss Miami USA®:

Winner: Tatiana Santos
Second Runner Up: Randi Ross; Third Runner Up: Castillo; Fourth: Dubraska Guevarra; Miss Photogenic: Tatiana Santos; Spirit Award: Barbara Chaquaceda.

Miss Miami USA® 2010 will be sent to compete at Miss Florida and go to Miss Universe eventually.

Miss Rose Martinez, a ballet teacher, who was in the Miss America 1967 herself, is the organizer of the Miss Miami USA® and Miss Miami Teen USA® in addition to Miss Hialeah USA® and Miss Miami Tropic.

"The wonderful thing about pageantry is they give out a lot of scholarship money, and teaches contestants the skills of poise, public speaking, etiquette and they have a fabulous time," said Miss Martinez. "It is another journey in life."

Clothing and gown designer Kirsten Regalado, one of the judges said: "We're happy about it, I think we found winners that could bring the Miss USA crown,"
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The MISS UNIVERSE®, MISS USA® and MISS TEEN USA® Pageants are a Donald J. Trump and NBC Universal joint venture. Utilizing its nationwide grass roots infrastructure, the Miss Universe Organization is committed to increasing awareness of breast and ovarian cancers. By forging relationships with organizations committed to research and education, such as Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Gilda's Club, Miss USA is armed to educate women today.