First lady hosts ‘Breakfast with Moms’ with Miss Marianas

Gov. Ralph and First Lady Diann Torres join the 2016 Miss Marianas and 2016 Miss Marianas Teen contestants and their moms and guests for the first Stellar Marianas Breakfast with Moms event in honor of Mother’s Day at Fiesta Resort & Spa last Saturday. (Contributed Photo)

To celebrate Mother’s Day, candidates for the 2016 Miss Marianas and Miss Marianas Teen pageant and their mothers joined Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and First Lady Diann Torres for the first ever “Breakfast with Moms” at the Fiesta Resort & Spa last Saturday.

Addressing the young women who will be vying for the islands’ prestigious titles of Miss Marianas and Miss Marianas Teen this July, First Lady Diann said that confidence is beautiful and the fact that they are contestants already makes them winners in representing the islands to the best of their abilities.

“What I enjoyed most when I was a contestant for Miss Northern Marianas way back when,” Lady Dian laughed, “was how we all came together to help each other and our community.”

“This is an experience that will be with you for a long time, creating memories that you will recall with a sense of pride and accomplishment, no matter what happens,” she added.

Joining the event were 2016 Miss Marianas Teen contestants Jyawnna Joyner with her grandmother Aurelia Kretzer, Nicole Q. Myers, with her mom Candace Q. Celis, and Alexandra L. Lee-Sang with her mom Wendi Herring.

Fellow contestant Palanga Tiara B. Taimanao was not able to join the breakfast with her mom Cecile as her prom was held that night on Rota.

The 2016 Miss Marianas contestants who participated are Angelyn D. Labadan with her mom Asun Demapan, Maricris R. Zapanta with her aunt Elena Quizon, Mariebell Q. Aldan with her mom Rosario, Peachy Josifynn Quitigua with her mom Roca, Joanna Marie G. Navarro with her good friend Jennifer Lopez, and Francine B. Sablan with her mom Sandra.

Dickerson & Quinn International Distributors Saipan Sales and Marketing coordinator Jaki Fujihira also hosted a game by TRESemme’, the pageants’ official hair product brand, called “Know Thy Mother” and it was laughter all around as the daughters, moms, and guests got to know each other better.

Winning mother-daughter duo Alexie and Wendi and friends Joanne and Jennifer happily received bags full of TRESemme’ products.

Stellar Marianas, the islands’ nonprofit pageant and talent group, gave moms and guests roses as a thank you on behalf of the contestants.

“We are most grateful the governor and the first lady took precious time to be with our young women and help provide them an event to inspire and motivate them in representing our islands and volunteering for our community,” said Stellar Marianas community events director Myla Capilitan.

“It was also a way for us to thank our mothers, families and friends for supporting our contestants on this exciting journey and to make discoveries themselves along the way,” she added, “It was our first to hold such an event and it looks like it’s a keeper.”

The 2016 Miss Marianas and Miss Marianas Teen Pageant is scheduled on July 16 and will be held at the Fiesta Resort & Spa’s Hibiscus Hall.

For more information, visit Stellar Marianas on Facebook at www.facebook.com/stellarmarianas.