Miss World America is an Arizona girl

Meet Victoria Mendoza, headed to China to compete in Miss World

By: Hailey Frances

PHOENIX - Soon, 20-year-old Victoria Mendoza will be boarding an international flight headed to China.

This winter she will compete in the prestigious Miss World pageant on December 19, 2015 in Sanya, China.

That's a long way from her hometown of Buckeye, Ariz. where Mendoza attended Verrado High School.

"I leave to China very soon and I am feeling a mixture of many different emotions, joy, hope and anticipation" Mendoza told CW6 this week.

Mendoza beat out 51 other contestants in Washington D.C. this past July, winning her the title of Miss World America.

The Miss World Organization is the longest-running international pageant and like the popular Miss America or Miss USA pageants, contestants are judged in part on their charitable activities and volunteerism.

Mendoza is involved with the nonprofit Feeding America.

"I decided to compete in this pageant because I saw the positive influence the Miss World Organization was making and I knew I wanted to be a part of that" said Mendoza, "Miss World has raised nearly one billion dollars for children’s charities since the establishment of Beauty With a Purpose. "

This year the international competition will bring together more than 100 contestants from around the world.

Contestants are judged on the following categories during an exhaustive week of competitions: social media, charity involvement, modeling, evening gown, beachwear, how photographic they are, and fitness.

Past Miss World winners include Priyanka Chopra in 2000, a Bollywood actress who is now the star of the hit ABC show 'Quantico',

Paving the way from pageant to a career in television should be great inspiration for Mendoza, who aspires to have a career in television as a news anchor.

Mendoza is a third year journalism student who plans to finish school after her year serving as Miss World America.

"Since I am a third year journalism student, I will return to my studies after my year as Miss World America and achieve my degree, said Mendoza, " I’d love to work at CNN. "

The coveted crown isn't the only prize for winners in the Miss World Organization.

"This title is so much more than just a crown and banner. It is about being a voice, a leader and a change-maker for important causes. "

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