Miss Chiquitita Talent Show - a night of splendor and joy

The highly anticipated Miss Chiquitita Talent Show of 2008 took place on June 22, as the contestants and their parents gathered at the Crowne Plaza LaGuardia Hotel in East Elmhurst. The girls competed for prizes, including college scholarships.
Candidates began to arrive as early as 7 a.m. as they prepared for one of the most unforgettable days of their lives. Through the lights, colors and sparkles of the event, this year’s participants were led by two former Miss Chiquitita winners, Marianela Gonzalez of “The Kalle” and Iris Carreras, model star of “Modelamos Talent Agency.”
The show opened with the presentation of each one of the candidates to the large crowd, which applauded non-stop as their favorites were presented. With much maturity and poise, the girls demonstrated their talents as they lip-synced songs and mimicked the artists.
The first part of the day concluded with a presentation of commercials from the sponsors of Miss Chiquitita, beginning with El Correo de Queens and The Queens Courier, which also organized the event along with Patricia Mahecha, president of Miss Chiquitita. It was followed by Modelamos Talent Agency, Abetex Int’l Brokers, New Parkway Hospital, Crowne Plaza LaGuardia Hotel, Commerce Bank, City University of New York, Sovereign Bank, Plaza College and Parker Jewish Institute.
Then there was a spectacular dance prepared and directed by professional choreographer, Julian Amezquita Agudelo. As excited parents and an anxious jury looked on, the “misses” marched past in full dress, as the fashion and splendor created a glamorous scene. Each one of them looked, in fact, like a Miss Chiquitita.
And as is tradition and part of the ceremony every year, there was a goodbye to the Miss Chiquitita from the previous year. The contestants and parents were overwhelmed with emotion as the medals, crowns, and trophies, provided by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, were presented.
In the category of 4 to 7 year olds, Gretchen Rojas (7) received a Nintendo Wii, provided by Edgar Triana from the Esquina de Listo el Pollo Restaurant; in the category of 8 to 10 year olds, Stephanie Rodriguez (9) got a computer, provided by Servientrega Internacional, as did Dayana Zapata (11), who won in the 11 to 12 year old category.
First place winner in the 13 to 14 year old category, Tiffany Uribe (14) received a scholarship for four years at any CUNY school and the second place participant, Barbarian Roman (14), won a two-year scholarship to Plaza College.
The Miss Chiquitita contributors and judges included Juan Carlos Molina, CEO of Azteca America; Diana Sanchez, reporter of Tele Futura; Julio Moreno, journalist and casting instructor; Maricela Baez, executive assistant of “Univision Radio”; Damaris Diaz, reporter of “Repblica Deportiva” of Univision; Marissa Gonzalez of “La Kalle” Univision Radio and Katherine Cartagena. Other collaborators who made the contest possible included Ral Hurtado of Producciones “El Huevo”; Luis Grimendi “Payaso T.Tin”; NY Teleprensa; Vernica Hernndez de Magos-“La Magomaestra”; New York Teleprensa; Mar’a Fernanda Trejos, Katherine Cartajena and Amy Quichiz.