Elegance, Grace and Poise: Meet Yesenia Vidales, Miss Arizona Latina 2017

(Featured Photo: Facebook Photo/Miss Arizona Latina/Angel Villa Photography)

By: Cindy G. Castillo

At 20 years old, Yesenia Vidales has already mastered the art of confidence, poise and dominance to take over any stage. These qualities have now earned her the title of Miss Arizona Latina 2017.

This year’s pageant took place last month at the Legends Event Center in Phoenix, where some of the most beautiful women in the state gathered for a shot at the coveted title. “Throughout the year I was thinking, ‘I really want to do this, I can do a lot with this,’” Vidales explained. “[Once I hit the stage,] I really didn’t get nervous, I was more excited than anything about being on stage and doing something I love.”

Facebook Photo/Miss Arizona Latina/MarcoVinicioPhotography

Performing and being in front of an audience is something that comes natural to Vidales. She’s been dancing since she was eight years old, something that makes her feel comfortable on stage and in front of audiences. She’d like to pursue this instinct as a career and is looking forward to attending Arizona State University to ultimately pursue a career in broadcast journalism.

“I feel very blessed, I feel like [the Miss Arizona Latina 2017] title is a really big opportunity to do big things for my community,” she said.

Further in the year, Vidales will be representing our state in the national competition Miss US Latina, something she says she’s looking forward to with angst. It is the first national competition established exclusively for Latinas and continues to be the only one whose winner advances to an international competition – the Miss Latin America of the World Pageant.

(Left to Right: Miss Teen Arizona Latina Stephanie Flores, Miss Arizona Latina 2017 Yesenia Vidales) Facebook Photo/Miss Arizona Latina/Angel Villa Photography

“I’ve never competed at a national level but I believe we have a good chance if I prepare myself very well,” Vidales said, “and of course, if it’s in God’s plans.”

The Miss Arizona Latina organization holds a special place in Vidales’ life and she says she’s nothing but grateful for the opportunity of holding the 2017 title. “I’m super excited, I really want to share my story and hopefully inspire other girls. Thank you for the opportunity and I won’t let you guys down.”

To learn more about the Miss Arizona Latina organization, please visit their official website at www.missazlatina.com. You can follow Yesenia Vidales and her journey as Miss Arizona Latina 2017 via https://www.facebook.com/missazlatina/.