2021 Miss Marianas Contestants Vincent Rabasto, Lily Carillo, Toremy Diaz, Naomi Lizama, Ha’Ane Eugenio, Bernadette Horey, Richelle Ramon and Savannah Delos Santos meet with Stellar Marianas volunteers and experts for their first training and photo shoot that marks the beginning of their path to the 2021 Miss Marianas Pageant this 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.
2021 Miss Marianas Contestant Number One Vincent Rabasto, 26 years old, is a graduate in Bachelor Science Degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management. She is currently a clerk at DCCA-Office of Nutritional Assistance Program and decided to join the pageant to help promote the islands and gain opportunities for personal growth.
“In the future, I hope to be well-traveled and 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.
2021 Miss Marianas Contestant Number Two Lily Carillo, 18 years old, a Nursing Major at Northern Marianas College, is a lifeguard at the Pacific Islands Club and 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 more 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.
2021 Miss Marianas Contestant Number Three Toremy Diaz, 18 years old, 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 culture and language. I hope to engage the youth in a fun learning experience in this program,” she said.
2021 Miss Marianas Contestant Number Four Naomi Lizama, 21 years old is a senior at the University of Washington, majoring in a Bachelor of Arts Degree 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 smiled.
2021 Miss Marianas Contestant Number Five Ha’Ane Eugenio, 21 years old, is a NMC Associate Degree graduate and aspires to own 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.
2021 Miss Marianas Contestant Number Six Bernadette Horey, 19 years old, is a freshman at NMC and aspires to promote and educate a way of living that is more 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 light and show the world that while we are small, we are a proud and strong people.”
2021 Miss Marianas Contestant Number Seven Richelle Ramon, 19 years old, is also an NMC student and is currently working to preserve and protect our marine resources through the Project HOPE, which stands for Health Oceans People Empowerment, teaching 7th graders about ocean conservation and increase 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.
2021 Miss Marianas Contestant Number Eight Savannah Delos Santos, 23 years old, is a graduate from Chaminade University with a B.A. in Business Administration-Marketing and is currently working on her Masters for Accounting.
“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,” she said.
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.
At the multi-purpose center on Saturday, reigning Miss Marianas Shannon Tudela Sasamoto, center, poses with the eight young women who will compete in this year’s pageant.
Stellar Marianas photo
Stellar Marianas Directors have laid out a calendar of events, activities and trainings that are all geared to preparing each of the lovely 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 incredible journey, join on Instagram @stellarmarianas and @missnothernmarianas as well as www.youtube.com/stellarmarianas and www.facebook.com/stellarmarianas
