2023 Miss Garifuna New Orleans Cultural Beauty Pageant to Take Place.

Here are the Young Girls participating in The 2023 Miss Garifuna New Orleans Cultural Beauty Pageant

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Copyright 2023 by Teofilo Colon Jr (a.k.a. “Tio Teo” or “T.O. Tayo”) for Being Garifuna. All Rights Reserved. Contact Tio Teo.

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New Orleans, Louisiana – Immigrant Organization, Familias Unidas en Accion (“United Families in Action” in Spanish) in conjuction with Casa Yurumein in New York City and the support of The University of New Orleans Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies have announced their first ever Miss Garifuna New Orleans Cultural Beauty Pageant.

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Timed to take place during National Garifuna American Heritage Month, this unique Pageant will take place on SUNDAY, April 23rd 2023 at The Living School in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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As stated in prior articles about Miss Garifuna Cultural Pageants in Belize, Honduras, Atlanta and New York City, these Events are not your typical Beauty Pageants.

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These Pageants are designed to be Reverse Acculturation Projects, where Young Ladies learn or are reintroduced to the history, language. dance and customs of the Garifuna People as there is a feeling that those aspects of Garifuna culture get lost, if they were ever there to begin with as they assimilate into the American way of life.

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The Young Girls competing for the crown of Miss Garifuna New Orleans include (towns they are representing in the parenthesis):

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Naara Mejia (Triunfo De La Cruz, Tela, Honduras)

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Naara, 11 Years Old, was born in San Pedro Sula, Honduras but is representing the hometown of her parents, Triunfo De La Cruz, Tela, Honduras. She lives with her mother in New Orleans and is in the Fifth Grade.

“I Love to Travel and one of my Dreams is to be a Stewardess / Air Hostess” – Naara Mejia

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Kiari Alvarez (Tornabe, Tela, Honduras)

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Kiari, 12 Years Old, was born in the Bronx, New York, and is 100% Proud to be Garifuna. She lives with her parents who are from the Garifuna Town of Tornabe, Tela, Honduras. She is in the seventh grade.

“The best thing that has happened to me is serving God. Because without him we are nothing.” – Kiari Alvarez

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Arsheny Mejia (Punta Piedra, Colon, Honduras)

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Arsheny, 12 Years Old, was born in New Orleans, but is rooted in the ethnicity of her parents, who are Garifuna and support her unconditionally. She is in the sixth grade and loves being with her family, especially her mother and cousins.

“When I grow up, I want to be a Doctor and have my own Hospital.” – Arsheny Mejia

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Cesary Flores (Cocalito, Colon, Honduras)

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Cesary was born in Iriona, Colon, Honduras. She lives with her parents and brothers in New Orleans and is in the eleventh grade. Cesary loves the authenticity of her culture and is proud of being 100% Garifuna.

“When I grow up, my Dream is to be part of the U.S. Army” – Cesary Flores

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Samantha Avila (Sangrelaya. Colon, Honduras)

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Samanta Avila, 16 Years Old, lives with her parents and little brother who are proud of being part of the Garifuna Community. She is in the Tenth Grade and Loves to Read!

“When I grow up, I want to be a Hematologist (Blood Scientist) and help people of my beautiful community.” – Samantha Avila

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Melaiky Castillo (Limon, Colon, Honduras)

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Melaiky Castillo, 13 Years Old, was born in Limon, Colon, Honduras. She lives in New Orleans with her mother and her sisters. She passes the time watching videos. Melaiky is in the eighth grade and was recognized as Student of the Month.

“When I grow up, I want to be a Doctor” – Melaiky Castillo

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Yareni Castillo (Cusuna, Colon, Honduras)

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Yareni, 11 Years Old, was born in Cusuna, Colon, Honduras. She lives in New Orleans with her parents. Her favorite way to pass the time is to play and be with friends. Yareni is totally proud to be Garifuna.

“When I grow up, I want to be a Lawyer.” – Yareni Castillo

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The 2023 Miss Garifuna New Orleans Cultural Beauty Pageant will take place at:

The Living School

6033 Bullard Ave,

Suite 16

New Orleans, Louisiana, 70128

Date: SUNDAY, April 23rd 2023

Time: 2PM

Tickets are $10 each. Children under the age of 10 Years Old are admitted FREE.

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ABOUT The Garifuna People

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