(BUFFALO, NY) The Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day Parade of WNY Association is pleased to announce the 2017 Miss Borinquen Latina of WNY Leadership Pageant winners. The pageant took place Saturday, July 15, 2017 at PS #45 International School on Hoyt St. the class of 8 participants competed after completing the award-winning leadership development program component which included seminars and community service.

The 2017 Miss Borinquen Latina Queen is Lissette Santiago. Lissette Santiago, 19 years old, attends Daemen College and is studying psychology and aspires to be a clinical psychologist for adolescents. She feels that age group are very misunderstood and that no one understands them. During her year of reign Lissette hopes to accomplish more mental health awareness; to show our young Latinas that they are worth something. She hopes to be an example to the future generation of Latinas to show that they are capable of anything they put their minds to.

( Edwin Santiago, Lissette Santiago Crowned Miss Borinquen Latina and Brunilda Hernandez)

The 2017 Miss Borinquen Latina Princess is Willenecxa Escalera, Willenecxa 15 years old, attends Hutchinson Central Technical High School. She aspires to be an anesthesiologist because she has always loved to help people. She feels that it is very important for people to help and care for others. Willenecxa also aspires to be a role model for all young Latina girls in order to show them that Latinas are strong, empowered, smart women that deserve all the good things in the world.

( Miss Borinquen Latina Queen Lissette Santiago, Miss Borinquen Latina Princess Willenecxa Escalera, Miss Coqui Journey Class )

The community also enjoys the Miss Coqui Pageant comprised of girls ages 5-7. This year, our Miss Coqui winner is Journey Class, Journey is 5 years old and will be entering Kindergarten this coming September.

“We are excited about the new Miss Borinquen Queen and Princess and look forward to them working within the community over the next year”, said Alexia Guzman, Chair of the Miss Borinquen Latina Committee. “The entire class should be congratulated because each of the girls made it through the rigorous program and put their best efforts into it.” The program includes a challenging curriculum provided to help build well rounded role models for our community, prepare them to take on leadership roles and prepare them to be successful in their educational accomplishments, careers and life. The leadership development program series began in April and focused on developing personal, social, educational and economic development skills, and other issues vital to their long-term success. They heard from professionals in the private sector, business development specialists, entrepreneurs, nonprofit professionals, college professors, community activists, government executives, and local elected officials.

Beyond the seminars, Miss Borinquen Latina of WNY offers mentors for each young lady, the opportunity to develop life-long friendships and support in developing an individual plan for future success. The participants are selected in a highly competitive process that involves a formal application and in-person interview. The Miss Borinquen Latina committee consists of women in both the public and private sector who volunteer their time to the program. If you are interested in learning more about the program, visit www.MissBorinquenWNY.org.

The Miss Borinquen Latina Leadership Develop Pageant is a subcommittee of the Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day Parade of WNY Association.