FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: MISS CALIFORNIA LATINA ORGANIZATION Vanessa Flores (310) 295-4337 ext. 707 media@misscalifornialatina.com or misscalifornialatina@yahoo.com FIRST MISS CALIFORNIA LATINA™ AND MISS TEEN CALIFORNIA LATINA™ CROWNED AT STATE PAGEANT ___________________________________________________ Nancy Pelayo and Ashley Campuzano to Represent California in National Miss Latina US™ and Miss Teen US Latina ™ Competition ___________________________________________________ Los Angeles, CA. (July 12, 2008) – During the inaugural Miss California Latina competition, a prestigious panel of judges crowned Nancy Pelayo and Ashley Campuzano as the first Miss California Latina and Miss Teen California Latina. The two young ladies were selected from a group of 14 talented and beautiful young women and will go on to compete in the Miss Latina US and Miss Teen US Latina competitions in San Antonio, Texas on September 25–28th. “Both Miss Pelayo and Miss Campuzano encompass all that is the Miss California Latina pageant – beauty, style, cultural appreciation and community awareness,” said state director of the competition Jennifer Lora-Rodriguez. “We are honored to have them representing our organization throughout the year and at the national competition in September.” Of her recent triumph, Nancy stated, “I feel elated to represent the many beautiful, intelligent, and accomplished women that I had the privilege of sharing the stage with, as well as all other California Latinas. Competing with such remarkable women is a testament of how powerful we are Latinas today. I’m very proud of all of us.” Nancy Pelayo, a 26-year-old Spanish and Mexican beauty, graduated from California State University, Northridge with a BA in Psychology and Business Marketing and serves as a senior analyst for the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission, a fundraising coordinator for the American Cancer Society and the March of Dimes, and co-owner of LA Glow, LLC., an innovative cosmetic skincare company that provides organic and anti-aging sunless tanning services. As a true advocate for Latinas, Nancy uses all of her professional positions as platforms to serve as a voice for young Latina women. Originally of Mexican descent, sixteen-year-old, Ashley Campuzano resides with her brother and parents in Downey, Calif. She attends Downey High School where she serves as junior class president of A.S.B, is active on the swim team and is a varsity cheerleader. Outside of school Ashley is a passionate dancer. She has danced at Onstage Dance Center for eight years and has been trained in ballet, Pointe, jazz, lyrical, tap, and hip hop. In 2007, Ashley was selected as Miss Teen Downey 2007. Her ultimate dream is to own and operate her own dance studio and instill her passion for dance in others. The pageants took place on July 12 and included an interview competition, a swimsuit competition (fashion wear for teens), and an evening gown competition. Final results for the Miss division: First Runner Up: Jennifer Andrade of Downey Second Runner Up: Rosalba Ochoa of Huntington Beach Third Runner Up: Brianna Arceo of Downey Miss Photogenic: Jennifer Andrade of Downey Final results for the Teen division: First Runner Up: Ryan Rene Granados of Los Angeles Second Runner Up: Naomi Marrooquin-Perez of Los Angeles Third Runner Up: Carman Nareau of Sacramento Miss Teen Photogenic: Carman Nareau of Sacramento The Miss California Latina and Teen California Latina 2008 prize package includes: Round trip transportation to the 2008 national competition, the official Miss California Latina and Teen California Latina Crown, Sash with Carrying Case, evening gown from Sherry Couture, grand prize from Hula-La Swimwear, official photo shot with Weenobee in Los Angeles, grand prize gift set from Tini Beauty, workshop at Sam Christensen Studios, Zumba Classes with Zumba fitness pioneer Lisa B., one year subscription to Savvy Magazine, T-shirt Collection from One Brown Girl, and fitness training with Fountain of Youth Fitness Camp. All of the contestants received an official swimsuit from Hula-La swim, dress provided by The Gala Company; gifts worth $75 from Tini Beauty, gifts from Treat, gifts from Pretty Girl Make-up, and a pass to Sports Club LA. The first Miss California Latina and Miss Teen California Latina events were graciously sponsored by the following organizations: • Hotel Huntington Beach • Hula-la Swimwear • Sherry Couture • Tini Beauty Contributions for the competition were also provided by Hint Water and Mac Vision Entertainment. For more information on the Miss California Latina organization or to book appearances with the winners, please visit please visit www.misscalifornialatina.com or contact Miss Jennifer Lora-Rodriguez at misscalifornialatina@yahoo.com. About Miss California Latina: The Miss California Latina Pageant and Miss Teen California Latina Pageant are state preliminaries for the Miss Latina U.S. and Miss Teen US Latina pageant, the most prestigious and longest-running pageant system in the world for Latinas in the U.S. It is currently the only national Latina pageant in the U.S. that follows traditional pageant guidelines for participants. About The Gala Company: The Miss California Latina and Teen California Latina pageants are produced by The Gala Company, a Los Angeles based events production and marketing company, founded by Jennifer Lora -Rodriguez, former events planner for the National Football League. July 23, 2008 - Miss California Latina and Miss Teen Latina interview Lez B Friends on LATALKRADIO.com http://latalkradio.com July 12, 2008 - 1st ever Miss California Latina and Miss Teen Latina Crowned www.misscalifornialatina.com/inthenews.htm Jan. 22, 2008 - Former NFL Events Coordinator Acquires Miss California Latina http://www.prlog.org/10047025-former-nfl-events-coordinator-acquires-directorship-of-miss-california-latina-pageant.html