Vásquez Selected As the First Ms. Mexican Fiesta Ambassador 2013

Vanessa Vásquez

Photo: Facebook

The new Ms. Ambassador title replaced the outgoing Miss Mexican Fiesta Queen title for the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation, Inc.

By H. Nelson Goodson

July 25, 2013

Milwaukee, WI - On Thursday, the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation,  Inc. (WHSF) announced that Vanessa Vásquez, 23, was selected as the first Ms. Mexican Fiesta Ambassador for 2013. Vásquez "will be responsible for the representation of the foundation promoting the importance of education and leadership within the Hispanic community...(Her) professional and educational experience complements the continuous commitment to bringing empowerment, resources and educational opportunities to the Hispanic community," WHSF wrote in a Facebook posting.

Vásquez was selected on July 20, but she will officially be recognized at the annual Mexican Fiesta three day Summerfest lakefront festival on Friday, August 23. 

Vásquez is currently an Admissions Counselor at Alverno College and is working on her Master's degree in Adult Education. She received her undergraduate degree in 2012 from Alverno. Vásquez is formerly Ms. Alverno 2011.

On May 25, 2008, Vásquez was crowned Miss St. Adalbert's (St. Adalberto) Catholic Church Festival Queen. Her parents are Esperanza and Salvador Vásquez who are originally from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

The Ms. Mexican Fiesta Ambassador representative search was initiated three months ago, according Leticia Ramirez-Cervantes. Ramirez-Cervantes and Jasmine Medina both coordinated the new Ambassador program after a three year absence of the Miss Mexican Fiesta pageant. 

Ramirez-Cervantes stated, "Both Jasmine and I are grateful to have initiated such an empowering program for young Mexican women. Our primary goal is to showcase the impact that the Wisconsin Hispanic Scholarship Foundation has on our community, and open the door to resources that often times Hispanic students and their parents are not aware of. In order to develop strong Hispanic women leaders, we need role models who they can identify with. Both Jasmine and I have a graduate degree in Business from Alveno College and are strong advocates for the importance of higher education." To be considered for Ms. Ambassador, women have to range in age from 21 to 30 years old, be a least 25% of Mexican descent, enrolled in college or college graduate, bilingual, would like to become a role model, likes networking events, community service, public speaking and an aspiring professional in the Hispanic community, according to Ramirez-Cervantes.

In brief, Erica Hernández, was crowned Miss Mexican Fiesta in 2009. At the time, she was a student at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee when she won the title. Her parents are from Zacatecas, Mexico. Erica was the last queen in 2009 to compete and reign as Miss Mexican Fiesta.

WHSF according to its mission statement, it "Provides a cultural and educational environment to enhance and improve academic success of the Hispanic Community while promoting a better understanding of the arts, history, literature, and perpetuation of Hispanic culture.
WHSF assists in opening opportunities for advancement of the quality of life among Hispanics."