Author:
Miss Information
[Edit]
|
Date Posted: 06/27/08 8:21:58pm
Hello Everyone,
I'm new to the board and thought I'd share this article I found in the Laredo Morning Times site. Gives a little bit on personal info on Ana Rodriguez.
Laredo's lovelies; Four of the city's finest to compete in Miss Texas USA pageant
By KIRSTEN CROW, LAREDO MORNING TIMES
06/27/2008
Email to a friendPost a CommentPrinter-friendlyIt's not your imagination or a symptom of heat sickness: A bevy of high-heeled, well-coifed beauties have been gallivanting throughout the city the last few days, belting out some karaoke, playing some serious games and rehearsing like mad.Hardly a mirage, these young women - more than 100 of them - are here with a purpose: to compete in the Miss Texas USA pageant, slated for 7:30 p.m. Sunday in the Laredo Entertainment Center.
Among those 111 winsome women, Laredo has no less than four lovelies who hope to represent you as a citizen of this community and this state: Miss Webb County Vanessa Botello, Miss Laredo Barbara Falcon, Miss Border City Stephanie Lira and Miss Port Laredo Ana Rodriguez.
It's the fifth and final year the Miss Texas USA pageant will be held in Laredo, and the four contestants representing the area have a message for anyone who fosters pride for the Gateway City: Come out and support the local talent.
Here are brief introductions of the young ladies prepared to take it – and Laredo – to the top:
Miss Webb County Vanessa Botello
Age: 21 Education: Nixon High School graduate; currently a fourth-year mathematics student at Texas A&M International University Height: 5 feet, 2 inches
Although this is Botello's first shot at pageantry, as a former Golden Spur and Bucks dancer, she's accustomed to - and downright loves - the limelight.
Encouraged by her longtime friend, Ana Rodriguez, second-runner-up for Miss Texas USA 2008, Botello decided to enter the Miss Webb County contest in March, and now finds herself preparing for her visage to be broadcast to an estimated 9 million homes throughout Texas.
"I'm enjoying the moment," she said. "It's a chance to be Miss Texas - it's an opportunity to help out the community and give back to the community… . And be a role model for younger girls."
The daughter of Juan and Ana Maria Botello, the Nixon High School choreographer is currently employed at MAC Cosmetics.
Miss Laredo Barbara Falcon
Age: 18 Education: United High and Engineering and Technology Magnet School graduate; plans to attend The University of the Incarnate Word as a first-year sophomore in the fall, pursuing a degree in fashion design with a minor in management Height: 5 feet, 8 inches
Falcon, the daughter of Edna Prieto and Arturo Falcon, is an avid exerciser, both of body and mind, running two to four miles per day and studying current events to keep in top form.
"I love feeding my mind," she said.
At 18, Falcon is a young veteran of the pageant business. She began competing in 2005, winning the title of Miss Laredo Teen. For three years, she was a finalist in the Miss Texas Teen USA contest. Now competing for the title of Miss Texas USA, she's maintaining the focus she learned in her younger years.
"The big challenge is to stay positive and be optimistic about yourself … not comparing yourself," she said, noting that a previous Miss Texas USA, Nicole O'Brian Ballard, was far shorter than the average model. "This is actually a little hobby. It takes me out of my world."
As an experienced ballerina of 10 years, Falcon said she has always been enamored with the stage.
"I love the stage lights," she said. "And looking pretty every now and then helps."
Miss Border City Stephanie Lira
Age: 18 Education: Cigarroa High School graduate; plans to pursue a degree in business with a minor in communication at Laredo Community College in the fall before transferring to either TAMIU or the University of Texas at San Antonio Height: 5 feet, 1 inch
For Lira, just getting the chance to compete is enough to light up her eyes.
"It makes me feel like a winner," said the former Miss Webb County Teen for 2006 and 2007.
The future businesswoman has twice competed at the state level, among a selection of other pageants in her pursuit of the crown.
The biggest challenge, she said, is learning the often-complex routines and transitions for the choreographed dances, as well as finding the camera angles.
"And keeping myself physically prepared and mentally prepared," Lira added.
A cashier employed by her sponsor, Popeye's, Lira named one of her favorite activities as working, in addition to spending time with her 5-year-old niece, Akasha.
"She's my motivation," Lira said. "I'm here because of her. I want to be a role model for her."
Miss Port Laredo Ana Rodriguez
Age: 22 Education: United High School graduate; currently attending Concordia University in Austin and pursuing a degree in communication with an emphasis on public relations Height: 5 feet, 8 inches
Rodriguez is strutting into this competition with a real edge: Last year, the athletic-minded student was the second-runner-up in the Miss Texas USA pageant.
It wasn't her first competition. Rodriguez was also crowned Miss Laredo in 2006.
As Miss Port Laredo, a new title, Rodriguez rallied the support of area businesses to promote Laredo's image as a "trade and logistics capital."
When she's not pursuing her goal of one day becoming a teacher, you'll find her on the volleyball court, training and working out.
About the challenges involved in pageant life, Rodriguez shrugged it off.
"Right now, I'm trying not to focus on what frightens me," she said. "I'm an athlete, so I know it's not just about physical strength … I'll continue to be headstrong."
The daughter of Ivan Rodriguez and the late Rosanna Garza, Rodriguez said her mother's death due to ovarian cancer three years ago has inspired her to act as an awareness advocate - and that being Miss Texas USA would give her an excellent opportunity to do just that.
"My mom's a fire burning inside of me," she said. "When I'm tired, that's what (kicks) in."
(Kirsten Crow may be reached at 728-2543 or by e-mail at kirsten@lmtonline.com)
[ Post a Reply to This Message ]
|
, 
(NT)
, 
,
,
(NT)
(NT)
