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| COPYRIGHT 2010-2011 ORGANIZACION MISS AMERICA LATINA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. |
The idea to organize a pageant for Latin women in the
U.S. on a national level developed simultaneously with the
international Miss Latin America® Pageant, best known
worldwide as MISS AMERICA LATINA® DEL MUNDO.
U.S. on a national level developed simultaneously with the
international Miss Latin America® Pageant, best known
worldwide as MISS AMERICA LATINA® DEL MUNDO.
For the first time Latin women were to be showcased in a program that would recognize their
personal attributes beyond their physical beauty and be awarded university scholarships as prizes.
Although this was not a new concept in the United States, in the world of beauty pageants in Latin
America it was unique.
For the Latin woman in the U.S., this program represented a chance to compete in a non-traditional
pageant that would welcome their identification with their Hispanic ancestry and finally award them
the opportunity to win on their own merits, without regard to their ethnicity.
personal attributes beyond their physical beauty and be awarded university scholarships as prizes.
Although this was not a new concept in the United States, in the world of beauty pageants in Latin
America it was unique.
For the Latin woman in the U.S., this program represented a chance to compete in a non-traditional
pageant that would welcome their identification with their Hispanic ancestry and finally award them
the opportunity to win on their own merits, without regard to their ethnicity.
| Rosita Ojedo Miss California Latina 1983 |
| Elvira Castro of Florida and Cira Sanchez of Texas in Miami,1983 |
The 80’s
In 1983 the states with major Hispanic populations were extended the opportunity to select
their own candidates to the Miss Latin America Pageant, in recognition of the more than
twenty million Hispanics calculated then to be residing in the U.S. (Now it is more than
forty-five million.)
Preliminary pageants were held and the first five state delegates from Arizona, California,
Florida, Nevada and Texas traveled to the Miss Latin America Pageant in Miami, Florida,
official founding site of this unique international scholarship pageant system, to compete
alongside delegates from eleven Latin American countries. Remarkably, four of them placed
among the ten Semifinalists that year.
their own candidates to the Miss Latin America Pageant, in recognition of the more than
twenty million Hispanics calculated then to be residing in the U.S. (Now it is more than
forty-five million.)
Preliminary pageants were held and the first five state delegates from Arizona, California,
Florida, Nevada and Texas traveled to the Miss Latin America Pageant in Miami, Florida,
official founding site of this unique international scholarship pageant system, to compete
alongside delegates from eleven Latin American countries. Remarkably, four of them placed
among the ten Semifinalists that year.
The quality of these young women was comparable to that of
the national delegates vying for the international crown and for
three years while this project was developing, state directors
sent their delegates to the Miss Latin America Pageant in
Miami, where they consistently achieved high standings in the
competition.
Texas sent Cuban-born Cira Sanchez from El Paso in 1983
and she was chosen Second Runner-Up. Also from Cuba
was the 1984 Florida representative Yolanda Fernandez of
Clearwater, who won First Runner-Up honors from among a
total of 29 state and national contestants.
the national delegates vying for the international crown and for
three years while this project was developing, state directors
sent their delegates to the Miss Latin America Pageant in
Miami, where they consistently achieved high standings in the
competition.
Texas sent Cuban-born Cira Sanchez from El Paso in 1983
and she was chosen Second Runner-Up. Also from Cuba
was the 1984 Florida representative Yolanda Fernandez of
Clearwater, who won First Runner-Up honors from among a
total of 29 state and national contestants.
| As Pageant Show Host, Venezuelan telenovela star Carlos Olivier interviews Florida’s Sylvia Hernandez (center) and Victoria Mauriz of the Dominican Republic before they are chosen First Runner-Up and Miss Latin America 1985,respectively, at the Guzman Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. |
COSTA RICA 1986
When the Miss Latin America Pageant is invited to Costa
Rica in 1986, the U.S. state delegates also travel to the
Central American site. For the first time they participate in
their own separate competition in San Jose to select the one
U.S. Hispanic national representative to the International
Pageant. This marked the official separation of the state
delegates from the international competition into their own
National Pageant to select “Miss Latina USA” each year.
When the Miss Latin America Pageant is invited to Costa
Rica in 1986, the U.S. state delegates also travel to the
Central American site. For the first time they participate in
their own separate competition in San Jose to select the one
U.S. Hispanic national representative to the International
Pageant. This marked the official separation of the state
delegates from the international competition into their own
National Pageant to select “Miss Latina USA” each year.
Sandra Luz Cedillos of El Paso, Texas is
elected the first Miss Latina USA in 1986.
elected the first Miss Latina USA in 1986.
First Runner-Up Yolanda Fernandez
of Florida with Miss Latin America
1984 winner Mirla Ochoa of
Venezuela and Mayor John Sherman
of Bal Harbour (Miami) Florida.
of Florida with Miss Latin America
1984 winner Mirla Ochoa of
Venezuela and Mayor John Sherman
of Bal Harbour (Miami) Florida.
Nationally syndicated TV Show Host
and Pageant Emcee Rolando Barral
conducts onstage interview of Finalist
Cira Sanchez from Texas at the 1983
Miss Latin America Pageant in Miami.
and Pageant Emcee Rolando Barral
conducts onstage interview of Finalist
Cira Sanchez from Texas at the 1983
Miss Latin America Pageant in Miami.
Venezuelan superstar
Jose Luis Rodriguez
“El Puma” with
Semifinalist Elvira
Castro of Florida at
Miami coctail honoring
Miss Latin America '83.
Jose Luis Rodriguez
“El Puma” with
Semifinalist Elvira
Castro of Florida at
Miami coctail honoring
Miss Latin America '83.
The Travels Begin....
Florida’s Sylvia Hernandez with guest
singer Braulio and Miss Latin America
1984 Mirla Ochoa in Miami at the 1985
Miss Latin America Pageant.
singer Braulio and Miss Latin America
1984 Mirla Ochoa in Miami at the 1985
Miss Latin America Pageant.
Repeating the honor for Florida the following year was Sylvia
Hernandez, originally from Uruguay. Arizona’s Lourdes
Guevara from Tucson, of Mexican descent, was also chosen
one of the five finalists at the 1985 Miss Latin America
Pageant in Miami.
Hernandez, originally from Uruguay. Arizona’s Lourdes
Guevara from Tucson, of Mexican descent, was also chosen
one of the five finalists at the 1985 Miss Latin America
Pageant in Miami.
The Costa Rican experience is enjoyed once again in Santa
Cruz, Bolivia, site of the second National Pageant for U.S.
Hispanic women along with the 1987 Miss Latin America
Event. Also televised live nationally, the results are
nevertheless carried over for announcement during the
International Finals telecast. To the delight and pride of the
host country, the winner had been born in Cochabamba,
Bolivia of a Bolivian mother and Yugoslavian father.
Cruz, Bolivia, site of the second National Pageant for U.S.
Hispanic women along with the 1987 Miss Latin America
Event. Also televised live nationally, the results are
nevertheless carried over for announcement during the
International Finals telecast. To the delight and pride of the
host country, the winner had been born in Cochabamba,
Bolivia of a Bolivian mother and Yugoslavian father.
Mexican singer Jose Roberto hosts the
first Miss Latina USA Pageant in 1986
and interviews Marlene Perez onstage
prior to naming her First Runner-Up.
first Miss Latina USA Pageant in 1986
and interviews Marlene Perez onstage
prior to naming her First Runner-Up.
| Miss Latina USA Sdenka Dobronic (left) joins a group photo with Chayanne, guest singer at the 1987 Miss Latin America Pageant in Bolivia. |
BOLIVIA 1987
Mexico gives a grand welcome to the 1989 Miss Latina USA Pageant as part of the Miss Latin America Event.
Due to Mexico’s Presidential Inauguration in 1988, that year’s Event ended up being postponed a few months
into early 1989.
The competition is televised live from the Port of Guaymas and again no results are announced. The First
Lady of the State of Sonora, assisted by the First Lady of the capital Hermosillo, crowned the winner during
the spectacular international telecast of the Miss Latin America 1989 Pageant. This would become the last
time the coronation of Miss Latina USA would be held over to the International Finals as was done since 1986.
Due to Mexico’s Presidential Inauguration in 1988, that year’s Event ended up being postponed a few months
into early 1989.
The competition is televised live from the Port of Guaymas and again no results are announced. The First
Lady of the State of Sonora, assisted by the First Lady of the capital Hermosillo, crowned the winner during
the spectacular international telecast of the Miss Latin America 1989 Pageant. This would become the last
time the coronation of Miss Latina USA would be held over to the International Finals as was done since 1986.
MEXICO 1989
Miss Latina USA 1989 Hany Valdes and Latin film and television
idol Andres Garcia at the Miss Florida Latina 1990 Pageant in Miami.
idol Andres Garcia at the Miss Florida Latina 1990 Pageant in Miami.
Hany Valdes, Miss Latin America 1989
Suzanne Hannaux and the new Miss
Florida Latina 1989 Sandra Peebles.
Suzanne Hannaux and the new Miss
Florida Latina 1989 Sandra Peebles.
Miss Latina USA 1989 Hany Valdes
presenting goodwill gift to Mayor
Alvaro Arzu in Guatemala City.
presenting goodwill gift to Mayor
Alvaro Arzu in Guatemala City.
Hany Valdes and Hollywood film star
Edward James Olmos are special
guests at the 1989 Miami Grand Prix.
Edward James Olmos are special
guests at the 1989 Miami Grand Prix.
SOCIAL AWARENESS
The decade of the 90’s was characterized by the addition of social consciousness to the Miss Latin America
Event. What the 80’s sought to promote with emphasis on scholarships was expanded to include
fundraising for charities, as traveling to the different Latin American countries raised awareness to this
greater social need. This concept was actually introduced with the 1989 Event in Mexico that raised funds
for the local Red Cross and D.I.F., which provides support to needy families. For many U.S. delegates,
visiting hospitals, orphanages, and other institutions for the poor as part of their pageant activities was a
profound experience that contributed to their personal growth and enlightenment.
The decade of the 90’s was characterized by the addition of social consciousness to the Miss Latin America
Event. What the 80’s sought to promote with emphasis on scholarships was expanded to include
fundraising for charities, as traveling to the different Latin American countries raised awareness to this
greater social need. This concept was actually introduced with the 1989 Event in Mexico that raised funds
for the local Red Cross and D.I.F., which provides support to needy families. For many U.S. delegates,
visiting hospitals, orphanages, and other institutions for the poor as part of their pageant activities was a
profound experience that contributed to their personal growth and enlightenment.
The 90’s
Carola Garfias meets El
Salvador President
Alfredo Cristiani during
the 1990 Event activities.
Salvador President
Alfredo Cristiani during
the 1990 Event activities.
EL SALVADOR 1990
Hosting the 1990 Event was home to the then reigning
Miss Latin America 1989 and the small Central American
nation of El Salvador distinguished itself with a very
singular production of the 1990 Miss Latina USA Pageant.
Televised throughout the country from the Teatro
Presidente in San Salvador, the program featured the
Marines Honor Guard from the US Embassy as escorts for
the evening gown competition.
Additionally, the First Brigade Band of the Army of El
Salvador performed for the colorful and exciting “Parade of
Hosting the 1990 Event was home to the then reigning
Miss Latin America 1989 and the small Central American
nation of El Salvador distinguished itself with a very
singular production of the 1990 Miss Latina USA Pageant.
Televised throughout the country from the Teatro
Presidente in San Salvador, the program featured the
Marines Honor Guard from the US Embassy as escorts for
the evening gown competition.
Additionally, the First Brigade Band of the Army of El
Salvador performed for the colorful and exciting “Parade of
Miss Latina USA Carola Garfias with
American Ambassador William Walker
and US Marines in San Salvador
American Ambassador William Walker
and US Marines in San Salvador
the Americas” that opened the show with the entrance of all of the state and national delegates in native
dress, followed by military cadets bearing the flags from their respective countries
Highlighting this historic evening was the placing of the official titleholder’s sash on the winner from Arizona
by US Ambassador William Walker.
dress, followed by military cadets bearing the flags from their respective countries
Highlighting this historic evening was the placing of the official titleholder’s sash on the winner from Arizona
by US Ambassador William Walker.
Dominican star Angela
Carrasco (top right), and
Carola Garfias in San
Salvador.
Carrasco (top right), and
Carola Garfias in San
Salvador.
ARGENTINA - 1991
The Fifth Annual Miss Latina USA Pageant is produced in Buenos Aires, Argentina,
simultaneously with the election of Miss Latina Argentina 1991 – the first time in
the world that two national pageants are held together on the same stage.
Delegates in the 10th Miss Latin America Pageant opened the program with the
now traditional “Parade of the Americas”.
The Fifth Annual Miss Latina USA Pageant is produced in Buenos Aires, Argentina,
simultaneously with the election of Miss Latina Argentina 1991 – the first time in
the world that two national pageants are held together on the same stage.
Delegates in the 10th Miss Latin America Pageant opened the program with the
now traditional “Parade of the Americas”.
Mayor Carlos Grosso of Buenos
Aires greets Pageant Delegates in
1991. Miss Latina USA 1991 (left)
Yvette Gonzalez waits her turn.
Aires greets Pageant Delegates in
1991. Miss Latina USA 1991 (left)
Yvette Gonzalez waits her turn.
First bi-national pageant in the world – Miss Latina
USA and Argentina 1991 in Buenos Aires, where
New York’s Yvette Gonzalez (right) won the US title.
USA and Argentina 1991 in Buenos Aires, where
New York’s Yvette Gonzalez (right) won the US title.
The Ministry of Tourism of Argentina and
the City of Buenos Aires declaring the
Event of “National Interest” and
“Municipal Interest”, respectively, issued
special decrees. Delegates rode vintage
carriages in a special parade through
downtown Buenos Aires.
the City of Buenos Aires declaring the
Event of “National Interest” and
“Municipal Interest”, respectively, issued
special decrees. Delegates rode vintage
carriages in a special parade through
downtown Buenos Aires.
ECUADOR 1992
The 1992 Miss Latin America Pageant is held in the Port City of Guayaquil, Ecuador. For the first
time a charitable organization heads the Host Committee and they are unable to include an
The 1992 Miss Latin America Pageant is held in the Port City of Guayaquil, Ecuador. For the first
time a charitable organization heads the Host Committee and they are unable to include an
Ecuador’s President Sixto Duran Ballen
welcomes the 1992 Miss Latin America
Pageant delegates to Quito, including Miss
Latina USA 1992 Carla Morales at right.
welcomes the 1992 Miss Latin America
Pageant delegates to Quito, including Miss
Latina USA 1992 Carla Morales at right.
additional pageant in their budget, as was the
tradition of this Event. In support of their
fundraising efforts on behalf of hospitals for
orphans, the Pageant Organization agreed to
postpone the US National Pageant that year.
Instead, a delegate was chosen from among
the state pageants that had already held their
contests and Rhode Island’s winner became
the sixth state delegate honored with the title of
Miss Latina USA. Delegates were flown to the
capital to meet the President and the Mayor of
Quito prior to the Final Event at the Teatro
Centro Cívico in downtown Guayaquil.
tradition of this Event. In support of their
fundraising efforts on behalf of hospitals for
orphans, the Pageant Organization agreed to
postpone the US National Pageant that year.
Instead, a delegate was chosen from among
the state pageants that had already held their
contests and Rhode Island’s winner became
the sixth state delegate honored with the title of
Miss Latina USA. Delegates were flown to the
capital to meet the President and the Mayor of
Quito prior to the Final Event at the Teatro
Centro Cívico in downtown Guayaquil.
GUATEMALA 1993
Guatemala is host in 1993 to the Miss Latina USA Pageant and enthusiastically welcomes the 15
state delegates vying that year for the opportunity to join the select group of international delegates
aspiring for the title of Miss Latin America 1993, who were being hosted along with them by this
Central American nation. A fashion show by the delegates of the Latin American countries was
featured in the US Pageant, additionally to the colorful “Parade of the Americas” that, once again,
opened the evening’s performance that culminated with the coronation of Florida’s delegate as
Miss Latina USA 1993
Guatemala is host in 1993 to the Miss Latina USA Pageant and enthusiastically welcomes the 15
state delegates vying that year for the opportunity to join the select group of international delegates
aspiring for the title of Miss Latin America 1993, who were being hosted along with them by this
Central American nation. A fashion show by the delegates of the Latin American countries was
featured in the US Pageant, additionally to the colorful “Parade of the Americas” that, once again,
opened the evening’s performance that culminated with the coronation of Florida’s delegate as
Miss Latina USA 1993
Florida’s Dailin Garcia with
First Runner-up Iris
Almario of New York
onstage after coronation in
Guatemala City.
First Runner-up Iris
Almario of New York
onstage after coronation in
Guatemala City.
GUATEMALA 1994
Guatemala repeats as host site for the VII Miss Latina
USA Pageant in 1994. Once again two national
pageants are teamed up as occurred in Argentina, but
for the first time separately from the International Event
that originated the concept. The Guatemalan audience
is enthralled with the production that resulted in the
elections of Miss Latina Guatemala and Miss Latina
USA 1994 to participate in the XIII Miss Latin America
Pageant in Ecuador later that year.
The success of the 1994 Event in Guatemala combining
two national pageants prompted organizers to plan for
staging it there again in 1995 on a permanent basis.
Conditions there did not allow for this to happen and,
regrettably, after several postponements the venture
was abandoned.
Guatemala repeats as host site for the VII Miss Latina
USA Pageant in 1994. Once again two national
pageants are teamed up as occurred in Argentina, but
for the first time separately from the International Event
that originated the concept. The Guatemalan audience
is enthralled with the production that resulted in the
elections of Miss Latina Guatemala and Miss Latina
USA 1994 to participate in the XIII Miss Latin America
Pageant in Ecuador later that year.
The success of the 1994 Event in Guatemala combining
two national pageants prompted organizers to plan for
staging it there again in 1995 on a permanent basis.
Conditions there did not allow for this to happen and,
regrettably, after several postponements the venture
was abandoned.
Miss Latina USA 1994
Joanne Morales of Florida
crowned Diana Otero Miss
Florida Latina 1995.
Joanne Morales of Florida
crowned Diana Otero Miss
Florida Latina 1995.
PERU 1996
With the cancellation of the 1995 Pageant, and while a study of how to conduct subsequent Miss
Latina USA Pageants was being done, US delegates were still being selected to participate in the
international Pageant through a review process conducted by the Miss Latin America
Organization. The first titleholder thus selected was first runner-up to Miss Latina USA 1993, who
got the honor in 1996 and traveled to Lima, Peru as the official US delegate to the 1996 Miss Latin
America Pageant.
With the cancellation of the 1995 Pageant, and while a study of how to conduct subsequent Miss
Latina USA Pageants was being done, US delegates were still being selected to participate in the
international Pageant through a review process conducted by the Miss Latin America
Organization. The first titleholder thus selected was first runner-up to Miss Latina USA 1993, who
got the honor in 1996 and traveled to Lima, Peru as the official US delegate to the 1996 Miss Latin
America Pageant.
USA's Iris Almario (2nd from right) at
press reception for 1996 Miss Latin
America Pageant in Lima, Peru.
press reception for 1996 Miss Latin
America Pageant in Lima, Peru.
| Miss Latina USA 1993 Dailin Garcia (right) meeting Vice President Arturo Herbruger, who was thrilled to officially receive the 1993 Pageant Delegates at the Presidential Palace of Guatemala. |
The 1997 Miss Latin America Pageant was postponed to early 1998, so no US
delegate was chosen that year, although state directors continued to hold their own
local pageants.
delegate was chosen that year, although state directors continued to hold their own
local pageants.
EL SALVADOR 1998
The Miss Latin America Organization chose the
accomplished “Miss Cuban American 1997” to
represent the national title in the summer of 1998 in
Costa del Sol, El Salvador.
GUATEMALA 1999
The following year, the honor passed to Brown
University Scholarship Recipient and “Miss Rhode
Island Latina 1999”, who traveled to Guatemala in
November of 1999 to compete for the title of “Miss Latin
America 2000”.
The Miss Latin America Organization chose the
accomplished “Miss Cuban American 1997” to
represent the national title in the summer of 1998 in
Costa del Sol, El Salvador.
GUATEMALA 1999
The following year, the honor passed to Brown
University Scholarship Recipient and “Miss Rhode
Island Latina 1999”, who traveled to Guatemala in
November of 1999 to compete for the title of “Miss Latin
America 2000”.
Miss Latina USA 1998 Kathryn Rodriguez
(center), listens to Mayor Hector Silva read
the Municipal Proclamation declaring each
delegate at the 1998 Miss Latin America
Pageant a “Distinguished Visitor” of the City
of San Salvador.
(center), listens to Mayor Hector Silva read
the Municipal Proclamation declaring each
delegate at the 1998 Miss Latin America
Pageant a “Distinguished Visitor” of the City
of San Salvador.
USA's Dilania Inoa with
the Miss Latin America
2000 Pageant delegates.
the Miss Latin America
2000 Pageant delegates.
| More history....THE NEW MILLENNIUM |
Miss Latina USA 1986
Cira Sanchez visits
President Vinicio
Cerezo during goodwill
trip to Gutamala in 1987.
Cira Sanchez visits
President Vinicio
Cerezo during goodwill
trip to Gutamala in 1987.