The Connecticut Belleza Latina Pageant is an official preliminary to the International pageant, Miss Belleza Latina, Inc. It is the premier pageant for Latinas in the state of Connecticut. Motivating our delegates to become role models in their community, we encourage education and try to inspire a desire for personal achievements and growth.
We are proud and honored to provide the Latinas of Connecticut with an opportunity to make their dreams come true.
OUR MISSION:
Our goal is to create role models in our community, inspire a desire for personal achievements and growth, encourage education and enforce family values and strength.
We feel this pageant is a great venue for all Latinas to be able to express their beauty, cultural pride, personal accomplishments and be judged as equals by their peers.
Miss Belleza Latina, Inc. is an organization that understands our cultural background and works to enhance recognize and honor it.
Maria Torres
President & Founder
Meet the Executive Staff
Marizol Gore, State Director:
Marizol Vega strives to ensure that each contestant's pageant experience has a positive impact on her everyday life. She has been involved in pageantry for the past 10 years as a mother and judge.
Her daughter is the former reigning 2006 International Teen Belleza Latina Queen. She enjoys working with the youth and has served in her community. Christmas 2006 she volunteered her time to the Royal Food & Toy Drive Organization.
She resides in Hamden, CT and is a mother of 3 children.
Michael L. Gore, Associate Director:
Michael has been involved in Pageantry for the past 10 years. His Step-Daughter is the former reigning International Teen Belleza Latina Queen 2006.
Summer 2009, He served as an Official Judge for the 2010 Miss Galaxy International Pageant.
He was a motivational speaker for the Workforce Diversity Organization and High School Community Out-Reach Program for over 10 years.
Christmas 2006 he volunteered his time for the Royal Food & Toy Drive Organization
He resides in Hamden, CT and is a father of 3 children.
Nixida M. Vega, Coordinator
She is the former Reigning Miss Teen Belleza Latina International 2006. She was Miss Connecticut Teen Belleza Latina 2004 & Miss East Coast Teen Belleza Latina 2005.
She was the Host on a local television show in Massachusetts called, "LATIN X-POSURE", is the spokesmodel for Homemart Furniture Stores, and has recently been aired in several commercials on Univision and Telemundo.
Graduating from Hamden High School with honors, as an English Scholar, she was a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. She's received an All-Star U.C.A. Cheerleading award, and cheerleaded for over 8 years.
Currently a student at Southern Connecticut State University, where she is a member of the National Dean's List, she is pursuing a major in Communications, Specializing in Organizational Communications.
She is also a graduate of Barbizon Modeling and Acting School as well as John Casablanca's Modeling & Career Center.
She is the founder of the Royal Food & Toy Drive Organization, is active in her community and has volunteered for K.C. Family Services.
In honor of her commitment to her community, Nixida has received 2 Proclamations. One from Mayor of Hamden, Carl Amento and the Second from the Mayor of Waterbury, Michael Jarjura.
Nixida has had great success in pageantry for the past 10 years. Winning many titles including: Miss Connecticut Pre-Teen, American Coed 1999; Miss Jr. Teen Hamden, American Coed 2001; Miss Connecticut Jr. Teen, American Coed 2002; Miss Sunburst Overall Queen, 2003; Southern CT, National American Miss Teen 2004; Miss Jewel of New England, Sr. Grand Supreme 2005; Miss Zona Latina 2005; Miss National Northeast Teen 2006, Miss New England East Coast USA 14+ Mini Supreme 2006, National American Miss Connecticut 2006, and her most recent title Miss Latina, Galaxy 2007, 2ndRunner-Up Miss Galaxy 2007. She has used her titles to work on her platform; "D.R.E.A.M.S."
She resides in Hamden, CT.
Diara Gonzalez, Contestant Coordinator:
She is the proud mother of Miss CT Pre-Teen Belleza Latina 2009, 2nd Runner-Up Miss Pre-Teen Galaxy 2010, Yaritza Gonzalez & Little Miss CT Belleza Latina 2009, Yariliz Santiago.
Diara is new to the pageantry world and provides a fresh perspective of Belleza Latina to the Executive staff and pageant delegates.
She has attended every event along with her daughters and has been a pivotal aid in making the 2010 state pageant a success.
As an outstanding 'Pageant Mom' and Contestant Coordinator Diara has maintained communication with all of our delegates, providing advice, encouragement, and knowledge.
She resides in New Haven, CT and is a mother of 4 children.
Sonia Diaz, Contestant Coordinator:
She is the mother of Fabializ Natalia Najera, former Miss CT Petite Belleza Latina, 2007.
Sonia has been involved in pageantry as a 'Pageant Mom', for four years. She has prepared her daughter, Fabializ, for many pageant competitions, including Little Miss Puerto Rico Belleza Latina.
In 2010, Sonia served as an official judge for the Connecticut Belleza Latina 2010 Pageant.
She resides in Hartford, CT and is a mother of 3 children.