San Antonio , TX – Three Latinas are the newest royalty in Texas. The pageant crowned winners in three categories – Mrs., Miss and Teen. Nicole Korrodi representing Houston, was named Miss Teen Texas Latina 2006; JanuarySalgado ( Brownsville) was named Miss Texas Latina 2006; and Nancy Talbott (Forth Hood) was named Mrs. Texas Latina 2006 at the 2nd Miss Texas Latina US Scholarship Pageant on Friday, August 5 th.
They were among 22 contestants vying for $140,000 in college scholarships and other prizes at the OMNI Hotel San Antonio, where the Miss Texas Latina Pageant Finals were held. Pageant judge Paco Bendana, a representative of Miss Texas Latina sponsor Anheuser Bush , said the event lived up to its billing as a unique forum to empower Latinas.
“It was outstanding. We had a wonderful cross-section of generations, with Latinas as young as 13 to women in their 40s,” said Bendana the Geo Mktg & Comm Relations of Anheuser-Busch, Inc. in Houston. “The Miss Texas Latina pageant shows it’s never too late to become involved in something so rich in heritage and culture. A program that stresses beauty, intelligence, and most importantly, education.”
Miss Texas Latina is a showcase for supporting Hispanic women. Through the pageant, organizers continually pushed the importance of education, self-esteem, values, civic responsibility and pride in heritage and culture.
“I could not be more proud of the women who have earned the title of Miss Texas Latina US 2006,” said former Miss Peru Jackeline Cacho, president of the non-profit Latina Crown USA, which organized the event. “They represent the best in Latina pride, and will undoubtedly serve as leaders for the next generation of women.”
The Miss Texas Latina winners each earned a four-year, $30,000 scholarship to St. Mary’s University; and language courses at the International Language Center of the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara in San Antonio, and an alternative scholarship From VANIDADES Beauty School. In addition, each received a prize package that included a contract for one year with ARBONNE INTERNATIONAL and a modeling portfolio from Victor’s Studio .
For Teen Queen Nicole Korrodi, the Miss Teen Texas Latina US title has been an opportunity to work on building a positive attitude and outlook on life.
“As soon as I heard my name I could not believe it,” the 14-year-old junior said of her Friday night victory. “I hope many other girls out there want to get involved in the future and will have the same kind of positive experience I did.”
Miss Texas Latina January Salgado, currently enrolled in the Masters Program in Communications at UTSA, said the pageant scholarships will help her achieve her higher education dreams so she can focus on her future to become a successful role model.
“I’m already fully bilingual in Spanish and English, and one of my goals is to learn another language,” she said. “It has been a dream come true to represent Latina Women and with my continuing education I will be able to motivate and influence other women to continue with their dreams, to strive for the best and become a leading example for all Latina Women.”
The new Mrs. Texas Latina US Nancy Talbott, is a mother of three boys whose husband urged her to enter the pageant. She says she plans to use the scholarships to pursue a degree in pre-school education.
“I believe we must give our children a solid education because they are the future of our country,” said Talbott, who plans to attend St. Mary’s University and to improve her Spanish language skills at the Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara.
“This has been a wonderful opportunity. I am grateful for the friendships I made during the pageant. I’m grateful to the pageant organizers and Jacky Cacho for believing in us and opening doors for Latinas. Because of the pageant, we are better women and better mothers.”
The Azteca America Director Juan Carlos Hernandez presented the live time achievement Community Award, given to the Latina who best exemplifies spirit and community involvement, went to Mrs. Category contestant Jeanne Lopez Mckinney ( Galveston).
The new queens will be making appearances throughout the year at major events in and around Texas also the plans are visits to the White House and a presentation with President George W. Bush. The queens will also be speaking at universities, colleges and high school campuses to promote the pageant and its positive message for Latinas.
The President of the Miss Latin America World Competition Acirema Alayeto, Political figures and special guests such as Congressman Henry Cuellar, and San Antonio City Councilmen Richard Perez, supported this event this pass Friday.
Hispanic stars like Raul Gonzalez Host of Despierta America Morning Show of Univision was The Master of ceremonies, the five times Emmy award Journalist Mercedes Soler was one the judges, Groupos norteños like TABU, MONTU and singer Dinora y la juventud joined the night of the pageantry.
