Miss Empire Star 2014: Miss Cinco de Mayo

Last Friday, I took a new role on stage when I hosted the Miss Cinco de Mayo pageant in Ossining! The pageant was held at the beautiful Ossining Library (they have a fantastic small theater). It was my first time playing pageant hostess, and I had so much fun!

With my co-host, the judges, and the newly crowned queens!

I first met the Peekskill Pageants (which includes both Miss Cinco de Mayo Hudson Valley and Miss Italia Hudson Valley) family back in April at an Operation PROM dress giveaway. Since then, their director Teresa has graciously invited me to attend some events with her titleholders. I always have a wonderful time--the girls are all so kind and Teresa ensures that they have a fabulous year of service making appearances throughout the Hudson Valley. The goal of the pageant organization is to support young women as they embrace their heritage and give back to their community.

The new Cinco de Mayo titleholders and their court!

Four contestants competed in the pageant, which includes a casual wear competition, evening gown competition, and on-stage question. The on-stage questions all related to Hispanic heritage, and I really enjoyed learning more about where each girl was from, their favorite part about being Latina, and how they planned to make the most of their year of service. At the end of the evening, Tatiana was crowned the new Miss Cinco de Mayo Hudson Valley and her new little sister for the year, Bianca, was crowned Little Miss Cinco de Mayo. The Little Miss winner is actually crowned based on an essay submitted to the pageant organization, and it was easy to see how Bianca's bubbly personality captured their hearts.

With Shay and Fluffy

The pageant was bittersweet as it was time to say farewell to Arianna, Miss Cinco de Mayo 2013 and Shay, Little Miss Cinco de Mayo 2013. Shay actually named my Poochie & Co purse back in April, so I thought it was fitting to let Shay take Fluffy home with her as a gift for doing such a fantastic job throughout her reign.

I'm so grateful that I had the opportunity to host the pageant, and look forward to spending more time with the Peekskill Pageants family throughout my year as Miss Empire Star!