Representing Montreal, Quebec: Dominican Woman wins Miss Latina Canada 2010

Online, September 2, 2009 (Newswire.com) - 27 year old Montrealer, Yajaira Mercedes of the Dominican Republic won the title of Miss Latina Canada 2010 at the only national event in the country for the Hispanic community in Canada. This is the first time both Quebec and the Dominican Republic community has been honored with this national title.

"I just can't believe it," says Mercedes, who is fluent in French, Spanish and English. "I feel like all of my dreams have come true. I don't believe that any of this is happening, I feel like I'm going to wake up because I'm in a dream!"

She is definitely not dreaming. Coming in first runner up at the Miss Latina Canada, Quebec regional competition, Yajaira placed as first runner, and was pleasantly surprised that her position awarded her the opportunity to represent "la belle province", along with winner Judith Martinez. Out of 30 women from across Canada, Yajaira's grace, poise, and articulation made her a favorite amongst the judges.

Born in San Victor, Dominican Republic Yajaira Mercedes is an esthetician and cosmetician that has been dreaming of breaking into the world of modeling and fashion. Mercedes is a Canadian citizen and permanent resident of Montreal.

With a busy year ahead of her, she will be in Miami, Florida in both October and December to participate in Miss Latina International Supermodel, as well as a special guest for the Parade of Costumes. Mercedes will also visit Hollywood, California to study Acting for Film at the New York Film Academy at Universal Studios. Among the many guest appearances across Canada that she will make, Yajaira will be a special guest at the Toronto Pride Parade, Caribana Festival, and both the Puerto Rican and Dominican Day Parade's in New York city.

About Miss Latina Canada
Miss Latina Canada is the official Latin American modeling competition system in Canada. The event is the first of its kind, and the only annual national event for the Latin-American community in Canada.

Among many successes, the organization represented Mariana Valente in 2007, who went on to win Miss Universe Canada 2009 making her the first Latin-American to represent Canada at Miss Universe since the countries participation in 1952.

Winners become Canada's Latin-Canadian Good Will Ambassador and travel through the America's as an official representative of Canada's growing Latin American population. In 2008, Miss Latina Canada became the first reality television series to air in the country about pageants, and also the first time in over 22 years that a pageant was broadcast on national Canadian television in a prime time slot.