A young student from CSU-Pueblo won a local pageant competition on June 12 at the Colorado State Fairgrounds. The new and recently-crowned Colorado State Fair Fiesta Queen earned her title and yet learned more from the experience than she imagined.
Nineteen-year-old, sophomore majoring in nursing and minoring in Spanish, Christina Lobato said the state fair Fiesta Queen Pageantry called for more than beauty and talent. Many of the contestants needed to show confidence, exude leadership, take pride in their cultural background and yearn to be helpful within their community. Well, the judges decided and found a remarkable winner.
Lobato, said that she desires to become a pediatric nurse for a private doctor’s office. In particular, she said she might choose to become an ultrasound technician after she graduates. Lobato added, saying that she dreamt of being a nurse since her childhood.
Although Lobato’s dreams are attainable, she said she is not fully certain it is the field of study she will continue to pursue.
Originally from Rocky Ford, Colo., which is about an hour east of Pueblo, Lobato said an abundance of her humble, approachable personality along with a bubbly, uplifting attitude, shined through, and she said she has a lot of insightful comments and desires as the new fiesta queen.
She said that prior to the fiesta queen contest, she and other contestants filled out applications. Once she completed an application, she said the judges decided which competitors advanced further into the pageant. “I thought it’d be an opportunity of a lifetime,” Lobato said.
Lobato said they held the practice sessions prior to competition which lasted about three hours. In practice she learned how to walk, wear her pageant outfits and rehearsed for dance sequences.
At first, when Lobato won the fiesta queen crown and sash, she said her feelings were of speechlessness, excitement and emotions of outstanding joy and happiness. She also said the experience was an awesome opportunity to compete in the pageant.
Before the pageant she said some encouragement from her mother and Fawn-Amber Montoya, who is an assistant professor of for history, Chicano studies, philosophy and political science at CSU-Pueblo, motivated Lobato to compete. The undivided support gave her motivation to participate, which she said resulted as an unforgettable experience.
Lobato said she was motivated when the judges asked her questions especially one about Latina role models as well as others. She said when she responded she was overwhelmed with excitement and confidence. Lobato described this feeling as an “adrenaline rush.”
Lobato said there was even an evening gown portion of the competition.
To her realization there were valuable lessons that transpired and she said she now carries the weight of being a role model to a younger demographic, specifically young girls.
“My role is to be a role model,” Lobato said in a reassuring tone. She said she learned that she must make wise decisions as she upholds her character and the fiesta queen title.
However, a crown and sash bring a great reward, a scholarship. Lobato said when she won the fiesta queen title she was awarded a $2,500 scholarship for this 2010-2011 academic year. She said it amounts to $1,250 per semester, which will help with her tuition while she obtains an education at the university.