University of Rhode Island sophomore Sasha Zacarias was crowned Miss RI Latina at a Sept. 1 pageant

URI student crowned Miss Rhode Island Latina

By: Robert Preliasco

Posted: 9/18/07

Many college students watch America's Next Top Model and other fashion shows, but few of them ever meet a real-life beauty queen - or what's more - become one.

University of Rhode Island sophomore Sasha Zacarias accomplished that feat when she was crowned Miss Rhode Island Latina in a pageant on Sept. 1. She will represent the state in the national Miss Latina competition in Mexico next August.

A professional belly dancer and full-time student, 18-year-old Zacarias had no modeling experience when she responded to a radio commercial asking for contestants in the Miss Rhode Island Latina Pageant. What she did have was a trim figure from dancing, determination and a desire to find a challenge.

"I just wanted to give it my all and see where it took me," she said.

Zacarias added, "I have no limits. Whatever opportunity comes, comes, and if I think it's an opportunity to better myself, why not do it?"

Along with the other contestants, Zacarias trained for two months before the pageant, receiving lessons and advice in dancing, wardrobe, make-up, choreography and the Spanish language.

A native of the Dominican Republic, Zacarias was already a fluent speaker, but she said she appreciated the practice and lessons about speaking in a formal setting.

"Throughout the course of it I was excited because I saw how I was changing," she said. "I saw how I learned a lot."

At the end of the seven-hour pageant, Zacarias learned one more thing about the world of modeling.

"I always asked myself when I saw Miss Universe or other pageants, 'Why do the girls cry [when they win?]' Now I know why. In those two seconds when they say your name, all your emotions just come to you," she said.

Zacarias will wear her crown and sash for one year before bestowing them on the new Miss Rhode Island Latina. In the meantime, she will attend many events in the state before traveling to Mexico for the Miss Latina United States Pageant.

She said she is looking forward to visiting Mexico and meeting the contestants from other states.

"It'll be exciting to meet new girls," Zacarias said. "It'll be exciting to get to know them and hear about the states they're from."

Zacarias has plenty to do before the United States competition. She said she plans to travel to local schools to discuss teen pregnancy, an issue that was her platform during the pageant. This was a natural cause for Zacarias to choose given her major in Human Development and Family Studies and interest in early childhood education.

Last year she worked with URI Jumpstart, a teaching and mentoring program for preschool children.

"I love working with kids," Zacarias said about the experience. "I was so glad that I could make a difference for one child."

After college, Zacarias said she will continue her work with children. She plans to attend graduate school and become a school psychologist. Even with her career commitments she will continue modeling, if only to see how far she goes.

"I like the challenge," she said. "I got into it as an adventure and look where I ended up."