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Since the crowning of Angelita Pagan in 1984, the Miss Illinois Latina Organization has showcased Latin women's attributes beyond their physical beauty. Today, the tradition continues to award its title to smart, articulate and innovative women.
The Miss Illinois Latina pageant is produced annually by SIlver Beauty Latina, LLC run by CEO Israel Silva who took over the production of the pageant in 2010. Hernan Rivera serves as president of the organziation and former Miss Teen U.S. Latina 2004, Michelle Gonzalez is the Chief Communications Officer. Under the guidance of Acirema Alayeto, president of the Miss America Del Mundo Organzation, the winner of the Illinois title gets the opportunity to compete at a National level at the Miss U.S. Latina pageant and if she were to win the coveted crown, the winner will advance to represent the United States at the International pageant, Miss America Latina Del Mundo (Miss Latin America of the World).
Our current titleholders are Candi Sanchez, Miss Illinois Latina 2015 and Julissa Unzueta, Miss Teen Illinois Latina 2015. Candi will be representing Illinois at the Miss U.S. Latina pageant abroad (details TBD) in late summer 2015. Illinois has a proud history of placing candidates in top 10, most recently with Vanessa Quintana, Miss Illinois Latina 2014.
Julissa will make history being the first teen in Illinois to compete at a National level since 2009 when the National pageant at the teen level took a hiatus. Proudly, the Miss Illinois Latina Organization has had two titleholders take the title of Miss Teen U.S. Latina. Michelle Gonzalez in 2004 followed by Geysha Gonzalez in 2005.
In Illinois, both the Miss and Teen pageants are produced annually. To see a history of our past titleholders, please visit our past titleholder page.