Eight to compete for Miss Marianas 2021 crown

By Press Release | Posted on Nov 24 2020

2019 Miss Marianas Shannon Sasamoto, center, meets with, from left, 2021 Miss Marianas contestants Vincent Rabasto, Lilly Carillo, Toremy Diaz, Naomi Lizama, Ha’Ane Eugenio, Bernadette Horey, Richelle Ramon, and Savannah Delos Santos during last Saturday’s orientation at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center. (ISLAND IMAGE & MOTION)

Eight women will be competing for the 2021 Miss Marianas crown in March next year. Stellar Marianas, the islands’ pageant and talent group, hosted an orientation for the candidates last Saturday morning at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center and to introduce them to the public.

The 2021 Miss Marianas contestants met with Stellar Marianas volunteers and experts for their first training and photo shoot that marked the beginning of their path to the 2021 Miss Marianas Pageant in March.

“We, along with our sponsors and community partners, are incredibly excited to offer this amazing opportunity to our young women and we look forward to working with our eight lovely contestants in promoting and inspiring our community,” said Stellar Marianas president Michelle Sablan.

Contestant No. 1 is Vincent Rabasto, 26. She has a bachelor’s degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management. She is currently a clerk at the Office of Nutritional Assistance Program and decided to join the pageant to help promote the islands and gain opportunities for personal growth.

“I hope to…learn from diverse cultures. I would also like to start a business in the food and beverage industry that gives back to the community and helps promote local resources. I am currently expanding my knowledge and gaining more experience in jobs that are food- and health-related,” said Rabasto.

Contestant No. 2 Lilly Carillo, 18, is a nursing major at Northern Marianas College and is a lifeguard at the Pacific Islands Club. She aspires to be a dental hygienist that also focuses in promoting good health.

Carillo said that if she were selected as Miss Marianas, she would use this platform to build more community gardens and have fresh fruits and vegetables more readily accessible to those in need. “Our beautiful and historical islands deserve to be treated with respect and the people deserve to flourish from the land,” she said.

Contestant No. 3 Toremy Diaz, 18, also a freshman at NMC, is a barista at Cha and aspires to help preserve Chamorro and Carolinian languages and cultures.

“If I become 2021 Miss Marianas, I would like to open a Cultural Youth Center so that young people in the CNMI can learn Chamorro and Carolinian cultures and languages. I hope to engage the youth in a fun learning experience in this program,” she said.

Contestant No. 4 Naomi Lizama, 21, is a senior at the University of Washington, majoring in American Ethnic Studies with a minor in Diversity. She is a teacher aide at CNMI PSS Athletics Program and she aspires to be an educator. “I would like to develop an after-school program that allows students to obtain mentorship from fellow high school and college volunteers. We don’t have to be socially distant, but rather physically distant during these times,” she said.

Contestant No. 5 Ha’Ane Eugenio, 21, is an NMC associate degree graduate and aspires to have her own business one day, creating her own clothing line that carries some of the islands’ unique characteristics. “I decided to join this year’s pageant with intentions of growing myself and seeking the endless possibilities ahead of me. I want to be a model citizen for our community and invest my time in leading and empowering our youth,” she said.

Bernadette Horey, 19, is contestant No. 6. She is a freshman at NMC and aspires to promote a way of living that is conscious of the resources we use in our daily lives. “To achieve this, I practice being environmentally aware, from eating more plant-based foods to supporting small local businesses,” said Horey. “I joined this pageant to fulfill my desire to promote the Marianas in a proactive way and to use my position to bring the Marianas into the light and show the world that while we are small, we are a proud and strong people.”

Contestant No. 7 Richelle Ramon, 19, is also an NMC student and is currently working to preserve and protect marine resources through Project HOPE, which stands for Health Oceans People Empowerment, teaching 7th graders about ocean conservation and increasing their ACT test scores in Science. “I would like to begin projects or programs that deal with ocean conservation. I would like to see more involvement, education, and outreach throughout our CNMI community that deals with this, especially with our youth,” she said.

Contestant No. 8 Savannah Delos Santos, 23 years old, is a graduate of Chaminade University with a B.A. in Business Administration-Marketing and is currently working on her accounting masters. “My life ambition is to connect and communicate with as many people as I can in the world. I want to show others that they are seen, thought of, and loved incredibly. Currently, I am taking on any challenge that is thrown my way, one of which includes this pageant, and another of which includes stepping out of my comfort zone and pursuing acting,” said Delos Santos. “Currently, I am a student actor with ABS-CBN’s Star Magic Workshop. We learn to not only be better actors, but better people in and for society. Acting has helped me to be able to understand people on a deeper level and has also opened doors for me to connect with individuals all around the world with various backgrounds.”

The contestants received welcome gifts from LP Beauty, Paopao, custom Stellar masks from Saipan Apparel, photo shoot from Island Image & Motion and a Make Up Station and refreshments provided by Pena House Boutique.

Stellar Marianas directors have laid out a calendar of events, activities, and trainings that are all geared to preparing each of the contestants for not only local and international stage competition, but also for the responsibilities of being Marianas’ ambassador to the world.

To follow them on this journey, join on Instagram @stellarmarianas and @missnothernmarianas as well as www.youtube.com/stellarmarianas and www.facebook.com/stellarmarianas. (PR)

https://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/eight-to-compete-for-miss-marianas-2021-crown/