Miss Chiquitita college contest

The chance to win a four-year college scholarship brought 52 girls to participate in the Miss Chiquitita pageant at LaGuardia East Sheraton Hotel in Flushing on Sunday May 21.
Showing their beauty, intelligence, grace, and arts the girls competed in several categories by age. By the end of the pageant, Lilliam Uribe (12-14 category) won this year’s title. A 12-year-old beauty who looks like a model, Uribe is a student at P.S. 202 in Flushing.
She received the top prize of a four-year scholarship to any CUNY college, but she must maintain a B average in high school. The beauty queen is also taking guitar, singing and dancing lessons. She was born in New York to Colombian parents.
Other winners were Stephania Veras (9-11 category) Sara’ Fernndez (6-8 category) and Kimberly Rivera (4-5 category).
Sylvana Azana, from Peru, was named runner-up in the 12-14 category and won the 2-year scholarship to Plaza College.
Since the beginning the board of directors of Miss Chiquitita made it clear that the goal of the event “is to build self-esteem for every girl and make them feel proud of themselves,” said Victoria Schneps-Yunis, president and CEO of Miss Chiquitita, along with Patricia Mahecha, a former model. “All the girls are winners,” Mahecha said.
But if Uribe is a combination of beauty and art, Stephania Veras - of Dominican and Colombian background - at 10, is a real musician, who writes the music and lyrics of her own songs. “I have a present for her: her own CD before her birthday in December,” said proud father, Jos’e Veras, who is also her coach and assistant. “I want to be a celebrity. I want to be famous. Papi is my best teacher, fan, and helps me with my music,” she said kissing him.
For many, the star of the future is Sara’ Fernndez, (6-8 category, of Puerto Rican, Ecuadorian and Cuban descent), who at 8, dances, models, talks and writes like a real professional. Sara’ has won several contests and artistic competitions including the Univisión talent contest.
At four, Kimberly Rivera is a natural model. Her style on the stage was impressive.