University of Washington student Veronica Quintero was crowned 2011-12 Miss Hispanic Seafair during a ceremony at the Fisher Plaza Studio in Seattle, May 21. Her court includes UW student Brenda Barrios, who was named the third runner-up in the competition.
Quintero, a second-year student majoring in communication who also serves as a peer mentor with the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity’s College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP), was awarded a $5,000 college scholarship. She will also represent the Hispanic community at the Miss Seafair Scholarship Program for Women, attend various Hispanic events and festivals throughout the year and serve as a mentor to future candidates for Miss Hispanic Seafair.
Quintero will continue to grow her platform, “Veronica’s Challenge: 11 Years of Hope,” representing the one year she underwent cancer treatment and the ten years she has been cancer free. By the end of the year, she will have completed 11 community services projects. Not only was she crowned Miss Hispanic Seafair, Quintero won awards for Best Community Service Platform, Best Interview and Social Media Maven.
Barrios, a third-year student majoring in comparative history of ideas, also received the People’s Choice $100 award. She served as a guest weather anchor on Univision KUNS-TV Seattle for one week.
The entire court will attend the Hispanic Seafair Festival on Sunday, July 31, at the Seattle Center. The free event includes a full day of Latin music, dance, and arts and crafts, as well as an opportunity to sample diverse regional cuisine.
The Hispanic Seafair Organization is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement and education of Hispanic women, and represents the Hispanic community during Seattle’s Seafair Celebration and throughout the year.
More information about the Hispanic Seafair Organization can be found on its web site.
2011-2012 Miss Hispanic Seafair Court
Miss Hispanic Seafair – Veronica Quintero, University of Washington
1st Runner Up – Isabella Figueroa, Interlake High School
2nd Runner Up – Viviana Peñaranda, Highline Community College
3rd Runner Up – Brenda Barrios, University of Washington
Top 8
Michelle Pinales, Western Washington University
Danae del Rio, Renton Technical College
Brenda Arellano, The Odyssey High School
Dulce Zamora, Highline Community College
Photos Courtesy StudioSeven Photography