Miss California Latina Announces Shift of State Director and New City Leaders

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. - Feb. 10, 2016 - PRLog -- The Miss California Latina organization (MCL), the largest state pageant for Latinas and preliminary to Miss U.S. Latina, is proud to announce that Cindy Salaues will serve as Interim State Director effective as of February 10th. Salaues will build on the successful nine-year tenure of MCL’s outgoing state director, Jennifer Rodriguez. Salaues has been under the tutelage of Rodriguez for the past two years and will help guide MCL through a leadership transition, while continuing to carry out its mission of empowering Latinas and positively impacting California’s communities.

Salaues was crowned Miss California Latina in the fall of 2010 in Long Beach California. During her year long reign she served as an ambassador for the state of California, dedicating her time and efforts to non-profit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Los Angeles Food Bank and Safe Passage. In 2011, She placed 3^rd runner up at the national Miss U.S. Latina, the oldest and most prestigious pageant program for Latin women in the U.S.A , in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. After her reign, Salaues went on to appear on the hit TV show, Model Latina, where she was one of the 10 finalist to compete in South Beach, Florida. Salaues holds a degree in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University Northridge.

“Jennifer’s vision was to develop a program where young women would leave with a better sense of who they are and better equipped with the tools and opportunities needed to succeed in life. That is what I felt the organization has done for me and I am honored to continue that mission.”

Miss California Latina City Leaders

Lurdes Medina joins MCL as director of the city of Pasadena. Medina is an outstanding leader, mentor, businesswomen and activist. She has led in the beauty industry for over ten years, and also serves various non profits organizations, building a lifelong connection with the community she impacts.  As owner of Bella Sol The Salon, located in Pasadena, she is committed to the success of Latinas as leaders. Beginning as the first Latina to own a franchise of Hollywood Tans for over ten years, Medina successfully built her reputation as one of the best in the industry which lead to her great success of her salon. As one of the 2016 nominees for the 2015 Los Angeles Business Awards, Medina hopes to provide a platform for young Latin women to reveal their accomplishments and goals, practice their public speaking abilities, give back to the community and demonstrate their inner and outer beauty through the Miss Pasadena California Latina pageant.

Darcy Aguayo joins MCL as director of the city of San Diego. Aguayo was crowned Miss Teen California Latina in 2010 and went on to a successful career as a commercial print model, working with national brands and making numerous appearances on T.V., magazines, fashion shows and talk shows. Aguayo is a dedicated entrepreneur who started Flawless Glow Make-up, a company that provides image services for women. Her goal as city director for San Diego is to inspire young Latinas to overcome stereotypes and give them a platform to succeed. Aguayo feels that as a former titleholder, she has the necessary skills and experience to develop great leaders in the city of San Diego.

About Miss California Latina:

The mission of the Miss California Latina and Miss Teen California Latina pageants is to empower women of Latin and Hispanic origin living in California and enable them to embrace and showcase their Latin Americanculture while serving the community. The pageant program provides personal and professional opportunities for young women to take pride in their culture, voice, and make a difference in the community. The organization provides a forum where the beauty, viewpoints, talents and accomplishments of young Latinas are not only highlighted, but have a purpose.  Miss California Latina and Miss Teen California Latina is proudly sponsored by Sunrider International and Majestic Drug Company.