Karla Moreno Earns the Crown, Takes Home the Miss AZ Latina 2016 Title

By: Cindy G. Castillo

Karla Moreno admits she’s sometimes her own toughest critic.

At the age of 20, she is a student at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff majoring in Education. But it was her undeniable love for modeling that led her to try the Miss Arizona Latina pageant. This year’s ceremony took place November 15th at the Legends Event Center in Phoenix.

In the end, it was Moreno who went home with the crown and the title of Miss Arizona Latina 2016. “I’m super excited. I just want to thank everyone for their support and for truly believing in me,” she said.

Among her biggest supporters is her mom, who was also the one who encouraged her to be part of the pageant.

Miss Arizona Teen Latina Emely Ramirez (Left) Miss Arizona Latina 2016 Karla Moreno

“She’s my biggest role model. She raised me on her own, she’s strong and such a hard worker. I’m a very nervous person, but when I see my mom in the crowd it all just goes away. I just want to make her proud more than anything.”

When it comes to encouraging other girls interested in the world of pageantry and modeling, Moreno said it’s important to understand that the industry can be a tough one. “I’d say don’t be intimidated by it,” she explained, “you have the power to build your own path regardless.”

In the end, Moreno said she’s ready for her journey as Miss Arizona Latina 2016, and what the title will bring in regards to opportunities and her future. In the past, participants have been able to gain high-profile careers in government, business, finance, broadcasting, film and television.

“Being a Latina, I’m just so excited to be able to go out there and show everyone what I got.”

Judging the pageant were President and CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Gonzalo de la Melena Jr., Jorge García, fashion expert Oscar de las Salas and Ideaz Media Founder Diana Prieto-Bernal.

Other winners in the pageant include Emely Ramirez as Miss Arizona Teen Latina and Alice Gallegos as Miss Little Arizona Latina.

Most importantly, the Miss Arizona Latina pageant provides both personal and professional opportunities year by year for young Latinas to influence their culture and community by being a positive role model in the lives of other young Latina women.

To learn more about the Miss Arizona Latina pageant, click here.