A pageant to crown Miss Latina Palm Beach comes to Lake Worth Beach

In a timely celebration of Latina culture, the Lake Worth Playhouse drew recent crowds to cheer on contestants of the Miss Latina Palm Beach pageant. The contestants first gathered in mid-January, with hopes of representing the countries of their — or their parents' — birth. In the months that followed, the field of 20 was whittled to 11, as the women honed their talents and learned a bit about acting, fitness and public speaking.

"My mantra, my goal is to highlight the culture, the folklore, the music in Palm Beach County and to give them an opportunity to showcase their talent," said Carlos Daniels Ochoa, an entertainment producer who this year revived the pageant, his own creation, after a 15-year break. (The production took a backseat in 2009, while Ochoa nurtured other ambitions, and then there was a pandemic, he said.)

To participate in the Miss Latina Palm Beach pageant, contestants had to have been born in Latin America or have a parent born there, be ages 16 to 26, speak Spanish, and participate in a variety of promotional events, including a costumed runway walk, a talent show and, yes, a bathing suit competition. The pageant's slogan is "Beauty with purpose" and, Ochoa said, he works with the winner to forward her career goals.

Miss Latina Palm Beach pageant's final 11 contestants represented Cuba, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Honduras, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic

The contest's final event was April 26. Eleven contestants represented Cuba, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Honduras, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic. The night's contest opened with a colorful dance of costumes — some traditional and others modern, some homemade, some designer made — that sparkled in the spotlights and saturated colors of blue, reds, greens, yellows and purples of the stage lighting. 

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In the end, Laura Beatriz Perez of West Palm Beach was crowned Miss Latina Palm Beach. She turned 25 years old the day of the show, Ochoa said. Perez is a dancer and model who arrived from Cuba a year ago.

Sonja Isger is the Features Editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at sisger@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.